Charity number 1136245 Company number 6972805 SUPPORTING CARERS AND FAMILIES TOGETHER (SCAFT) REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD I" APRIL 2023 TO 31" MARCH 2024
SUPPORTING CARERS AND FAMILIES TOGEfHER (SCAFT) CONTEKrs Page Charity Information Report of the Directors and Trustees Statement of financial activities Balance Sheet Notes to the financial statements 9-12 External Examiners Report 13-14
SUPPORTING CARERS AND FAMILIES TOGETHER (SCAFT) CHARITY INFORMATION Dlrector5 and Trustees: J R Lumley A Ashley D Barnes L Ketteridge Charity registration number: 1136245 Company registration number: 6972805 Registered Office: 140A High Street Rayleigh Essex SS6 7BU
SUPPORTING CARERS AND FAMILIES TOGEfHER (SCAFT) DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE PERIOD 1ST APRIL 2023 TO 31 MARCH 2024 Structure, governance and management The organisation is a charitable Company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 25th July 2009 and th registered as a charity on 8 June 2010. The Company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable Company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up, members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1. The day to day running and management of the Charity is undertaken by the Directors, who are also Charity Trustees for the purposes of Charity law. The Directors are appointed by the members of the Charity. The membership of the board has changed over the past year, and there are now 4 appointed Directors. The Directors are responsible for identifying and appointing staff members, to whom some aspects of the companws charitable work are delegated. The Directors undertake regular risk asse55ment review5 covering the charitls operational, strategic, legal, financial, insurance and employment risks where appropriate, systems or procedures have been established to mitigate the risks the charity faces. Objectives and Activitles The object of the company is to relieve the social, emotional, mental, physical and educational needs of carers and families in the county of Essex, through the provision of support, person and group centred interventions, advice, guidance and 5ignp05ting to other services as appropriate. Flnancial Review The financial statements in this report cover activity for the period I, April 2023 to the 31" March 2024 for Young Carers. During this period the company has acquired grant5 and donations and sundry income of £128,426.78, and has 6 part-time staff, with a whole time equivalent of 3, although this is under review to accommodate the increased demand for services. The accounts for the Company at this time are stable, with significant commitments of funding received, primarily from the Big Lottery Fund's Reaching Communities programme, and BBCS Children in Need. The ongoing policy of the Company is to provide "core" services through a tightly managed financial facility allowing service projections to function through ring fenced accounts. At the year-end "ring fenced" projects retained balances that will allow them to progress and develop as planned. As always additional funds are constantly sought, with applications currently in pro8res5 to a range of grant making bodies. SCAFT remains reasonably successful in attrarting funding for specific aspects of the project and new developments; however, the cost of living crisis and the huge demand from charities across all sectors facing rising costs has raised the level of competition for available funds.
Reserves policy-The Charity has recently reviewed its reserves policy to ensure that it is compliant with all necessary legislation and commitments. After a thorough review it was agreed that the Charity should maintain its reserve to hold a minimum of £40,000 in unrestricted funds in order to meet its obligations for staff salaries, redundancy provisions, and other financial commitments and contractual obligations. This will remain under regular review to ensure these conditions remain met. Operating Environment SCAFT'S operating environment has continued to be challenging over this period with the cost of living crisis following hot on the heels of the Covid-19 pandemic. The two Young Carer Support Workers have quickly progressed in establishing excellent rapport with service users and in building partnerships with local schools. These collaborations are yielding solid results with many newly identified Young Carers and a subsequent rise in demand for services. This is particularly true of the One20ne work in schools where referrals are having to be prioritised based on need due to capacity issues. This situation is under review and increases to the staff complement considered to alleviate these pressures. SCAFT has continued to operate in partnership with Essex County Council's in-house Young Carers project. ensuring there is no overlap in service5 and that the service5 offered complement each other. ECC continues to provide top-tier intensive support for those most in need, primarily complex multi-agency cases. Co- operation between SCA and the ECC service remains good, with referrals moving in both directions between services. The launch of a revised All-Age Carers Strategy by ECC has no dedicated Young Adult Carers Service for 16-25 year olds. As a result 18-25 year old5 are expected to access adult support services, whilst 16-18 year olds remain within the Young Carer5 5ervice5 remit. It remains our aim to develop a service to meet these needs as funding allows, in particular those Young Carers that have moved on to further education in local colleges have asked for a service similar to the One20ne schools project to be available to them, as those remaining in school 6th forms still have access to the original service. The Staff and Trustees have continued to closely monitor and assess the impact of social change, external factors such as the cost of living crisis and large scale changes to the local community. Particular attention has been paid to the findings of the 2021 Census with respect to carers issues and trends, which are still being released as analysis continues. Regular consultation with service users ensures SCAFT remains in touch with their needs. SCAFT participates in forum5 at a local and national level to ensure access to new models of service delivery and best practice in these new conditions. SCAFT remains an active participant in both local and national data gathering to ensure Young Carers views and experiences are represented. Achievements and Performance Young Carers -our experience has continued to bear out research that has shown that young carers have experienced heightened social isolation during the pandemic period, and many are still reporting and displaying decreased social confidence as a result, which is negatively affecting attendances at groups. The staff team have continued to work hard to maintain and extend existing services, showing high levels of commitment and flexibility in difficult situations. Once again particular mention must be made of the sessional staff and volunteers who have gone above and beyond in their support and adaptability in unpredictable conditions: doing their best to ensure young carers continue to have as much access to support as possible.
The register contained 175 young people receiving direct services over this period, with around 200 making use of SCAFT'S Young Carers Passport Scheme in schools. Referrals have steadily increased as partnerships with schools have developed, and another secondary and another primary school have joined our partnership program. We have continued to see numbers of previously unknown Young Carers seeking support. 64 group sessions were held. The groups have continued to provide a wide range of games and creative activities, alongside vital social opportunities for young people. These have included Coronation related activities, drumming, remote control cars, cookery and bakin& ink marbling, decorating and donating a Christmas tree, and lots of other arts and crafts. Attendances at both Rayleigh groups have improved greatly but remain under close review since the venue lack5 adequate leisure facilities, particularly outdoor space, which reduces its appea I to young people; we continue to review potential alternative venue5. The Rochford groups, particularly the secondary group, remain strong. We were able to offer a number of activities over this period including Christmas parties for the Young Carers groups and a family evening at a local indoor play centre. These activities were well received, and the family night in particular generated much positive feedback on the opportunities presented for parents to develop peer support relationships with each other, and the opportunity for quality family time. We have also been able to run school holiday activity sessions, including Laser Tag, Roller skating, as well as a summer family play centre outing. The One20ne schools support program has again seen increased demand over the past year, particularly in the primary age range. As a result of the value placed on their contribution SCAFT staff are included in Team Around the Family meetings and Safeguarding conferences on a more frequent basis. We continue to seek increased funding over the next period to facilitate expanding the capacity of this service. We are a150 able to take a group of young carers on a residential weekend away to the National Young Carers Festival, where they had the opportunity to meet with over 1500 Young Carers from across the UK and participate in a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities, share their experiences as Young Carers and meet with policy makers to suggest ways in which they could be better 5UPPOrted through National policy. SCAFT has continued to offer Young Carers and their familie5 wide ranging information on issues from holiday pastimes and activity opportunities to benefits information, safeguarding guidance {particularly with regard to online safety), other local services, drug and alcohol awareness, changes in legislation, education and employment, SCAFT has also facilitated the distribution of hardships funds available within the local area. SCAFT is a voucher holder for the local food bank and is able to a551St families in need. Adult Carers- Following difficulties in attracting fresh funding for the adult carers service it has remained suspended, until it can be adequately resourced. Following a previous review a number of changes to the service design have been adopted with a view to raising the potential for attracting sufficient funds to support its delivery and reinvigorating the service itself: however this has yet to be successf ul. Plans for Future Perlods SCAFT remains committed to valuing service user involvement and continues to run regular consultations with Young Carers and their families in a variety of formats. Regular liaison with other partners also contributes to future planning a nd service evolution.
We remain very optimistic that the organisation will continue to be able to deliver a range of safe, relevant, eviden-based, quality services to Young Carer5 and their families. The cost of living crisis and increased demand for funds from charities in all sectors has created new funding challenges, particularly with respect to core costs, we continue to explore and secure new sources of income. Future aspirations continue to include an expanded One20ne service, incorporating a college based stream, development of group based social confidence building inteNentions and increased partnerships working with local schools. It remains our aim to reinstate the Adult Carers Service once we have succeeded in attracting new funding. On behalf of the Directors and Trustees I qlf J F J R LUMLEY CHAIRMAN Date
SUPPORTING CARERS AND FAMILIES TOGEfHER (SCAFr) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AcfiviTIES FOR THE PERIOD I- APRIL 2023 TO 31ST MARCH 2024 Note Unrestrlcted Funds Restrlcted Funds 01.04.2023 To 31.03.24 Total Funds 01.04.2022 To 31.03.23 Total Funds Incoming Resources Donations and Grants Sundry Income Total Incomlng Resources 121CKI8.34 418.44 121,426.78 7000.00 128,008.34 418.44 128.426.78 115833 56.99 115889.99 7,000.00 Resources Expended Charltable Expenditures 70,137.90 40484.16 110,622.06 103486.80 Net IncomlnE Resources 51,288.88 (33.484.16) 17,804.72 12403.19 The Charity has no other recognised gains or losse5 for the above year other than those accounted for in the Statement of Financial Activities.
SUPPORTING CARERS AND FAMILIES TOGETHER (SCAFT) ST BALANCE SHEET FOR THE PERIOD 1ST APRIL 2023 TO 31 MARCH 2024 Note Unrestrlcted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds 31.03.24 Total Funds 31.03.23 Current assets Cash at bank and In hand 101,645.49 9,561.69 111,207.18 93,402.46 Creditors amounts falling due within one year Net current assets 101,645.49 9,561.69 111,207.18 93,402.46 Funds 101,645.49 9,561.69 111,207.18 93,402.46 For the financial year ended 315t March 2024, the charity is entitled to exemption from the requirement to have an audit under the provisions of section 477 of the Companies Act 2006; and no notice has been deposited with the charity under section 476 of that Act requiring an audit to be carried out. The Directors and Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for ensuring the company keeps accounting records which comply with section 386 CA 2Crf)6; and preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity at the end of the financial year and of it5 incoming resources and applications of resources for that year, in accordance with the requirements of section 394 and 395 CA 2006, and which otherwise comply with the requirements of that Act relating to accounts so far as they are applicable to the charity. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 20081. Approved by the Directors and Trustees for issue on JRLU LEY Director / Trustee Chairman Director / Trustee Company Registration No. 6972805
SUPPORTING CARERS AND FAMILIES TOGETHER (SCAFT) NOTESTO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD 1ST APRIL 2023 TO 31ST MARCH 2024 Accounting policies The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the period. (a) Basis of accounting The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charitie5 issued in March 2005. {b) Fund accounting Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Directors and Trustees in furtherance of the general objertives of the charity. Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal. (c) Incoming resources All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income: Voluntary income is received by way of grants, donations and gifts and is included in full in the ststement of Financial Activities when receivable. Grants, where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant. Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included in these accounts. Investment income is included when receivable. Incoming resources from grants, where related to performance and specific deliverables, are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance.
SUPPORTING CARERS AND FAMILIES TOGETHER {SCAFT) NOTES TOTHE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD 1ST APRIL 2023 TO 31ST MARCH 2024 d) Resour5 Expended Expenditure is recognized on a cash book basis. Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its attivities for its beneficiaries. It include5 both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them. Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include costs linked to the strategic management of the charity. All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the SOFA on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, others are apportioned on an appropriate basis as set out in Note 3. Donations and Grants Unrestricted Funds Restrlcted Funds 01.04.23 to 01.04.22 to 31.03.24 31.03.23 Total £ Total £ Big Lottery Fund BBC Children In Need Sobell Foundation Diana Timpson Fund Wilkinson Family Fund Maypole House Charitable Fund E55ex Lottery Rayleigh Town Council Rochford Housing- Sanctuary Rochford District Council Rayleigh Conservative Club Knit to Nurture Alchemy Foundation Essex County Council The Souter Charitable Trust Garfield Weston The ROSCA Trust Fowler Smith & Jones Trust The Albert Hunt Trust The Mrs Smith & Mount Trust Charles S French Charitable Trust The Essex Freemasons Co-op Smile (Amazon Europe) Individual Donations 71031.50 71031.50 64037 27695 10000 10000.00 10000. 5797,00 1203.00 5797.00 1203.00 8800 21 1350 1780 1000 1000 150 250.00 431.00 3,LMJO.00 68.50 500.00 68.50 500,00 1000.00 iooo.00 4CMJO.00 15000.CX) 4000.00 3000.00 3000.00 3000.00 2500.00 2500.00 888.47 19.87 500.00 4000.00 I5000.3 4000.00 3000.00 3000.00 3000.00 2500.00 2500.00 888.47 19.87 500. 121,008.34 7,000.00 128,008.34 119,514 -10-
SUPPORTING CARERS AND FAMILIES TOGETHER {SCAFT) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD 1ST APRIL 2023 TO 31ST MARCH 2024 Total resource5 expended Unrestrlcted Funds Restrlcted Funds 01.04.23 to 31.03.24 Total 01.04.22 to 31.03.23 Totsl Charitable expenditure Donations and Grants Young Carers Transport Costs Costs of Activities Staff Costs (including training) Travel Expenses Premises Costs Postage, telephone, equipment Sundry Expenses Legal and Professional, and Consultancy Costs 6089.47 1832.25 1747.00 1256.23 7836.47 3088.48 7412.10 2568.49 4LX128.84 239.36 11089.92 6485.51 153.69 4218.86 37309.03 171.90 77337.87 411.26 11089.92 6485.51 153.69 4218.86 68487.37 398.69 8385.36 9183.96 7050.83 70,137.90 40,484.16 110,622.06 103,486.80 Directors and Trustees Remuneration & Related Party Transactions None of the Directors and Trustees received any remuneration during the period. No Director and Trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the period. Taxation As a charity, Supporting Carers and Families Together ISCAFn is exempt from tax on income and gain5 failing within section 505 of Taxes Act 1988 or $256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to is charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the Charity. 11-
SUPPORTING CARERS AND FAMILIES TOGEfHER {SCAFr) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD 1ST APRIL 2023 TO 31ST MARCH 2024 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Unrestrlcted Fund Restrlcted Fund 31.03.24 Total 31.03.23 Totsl Accrued expenses n/a n/a n/a n/a Movement in funds 01.04.23 to 01.04.22 to 31.03.24 31.03.23 Total Total Unrestricted Fund Restrirted Fund As at 31, March 2023 Excess of income over expenditure Redesignation of Funds 50,356.61 51,288.88 43,045.85 {33,484,161 93,402.46 17,804.72 80,999.27 12,403.19 As at 31. March 2024 101,645.49 9,561.69 111,207.18 93,402.46 Funds balances are: Core Funds / Cash held Designated Reserve £71,207.18 £ 40,000.00 Total EIII,207.18 12-
Supportino Carers and Families Toaether S:C,.A.F.T.l Re istered Charitv No: 1136245 External Examiners Re ortA ril 2023 - March 2024 Introduction This report covers the audit check for the year 1st April 2023 to 31 St March 2024 Accountin Procedures The Charty reports on a cash accounting basis using a manual book keeping system. Separate accounts are kept for income and expenditure and pety cash. My review showed that all the transactions were supported by the relevant paPeork and could be traced through the tharities financial system and bank account. Books of Account l Final Accounts l examined the reIpts arKI expenditure ledgers for the year under review. All transactions had been properly recorded and broken down between specific headings with a clear audit trail available for examination. All ledgers had been properly totalled and reconciled to the figures recorded in the final accounts. The format of the accounts was on a receipt and payment basis using cash accounting. Financial Re ulations Financial records are kept in line with the financial regulations and all transactions are supported by invoices or other appropriate papenmork. Invoices had bn paid promptly and were properly recorded and accounted for. Bank Reconciliatlon All bank statements had been checked and reconciled on a regular basis and reported. All transactions were well supported with relevant reiptS and the invoices could be trad through the accounting records and the bank accounts. Where possible payments have been set up for regular bills via direct debits. Online banking (Fast Pay) is now used on a regular basis which reduces the number of cheques being issued and helps accounts being paid promptly.
enditure All accounts were paid within the suppliers stated payment temis and payments were correctly authorised and signed. I checked all of the involS proSed as part of my review. All involS checked had been properly prOSSed and authorised for payment and were correctly recorded in the ledgers. Salaries Salaries are paid on a fflonthly basis by BACS payment. These have been checked and reconciled to the audit trail and bank statements. Summa My examination ofthe ledgers and supporting documentation for "Supportlng CarerJ and Families Togetherf. {S.CA.F.T.) for the year April 2023 to March 2024 confimis that they are meeting the set requirements. As expected, the standard of record keeping is excellent with all transactions being properly documented and accounted for in a professional mannei in these most difficult times. Mr Roger Fagence External Examiner 21st May 2024