## **The Local Carers Network** ## **1[ST] APRIL 2022 – 31[ST] MARCH 2023** **The Local Carers Network Charitable incorporated Organisation Number 1155280** **1** ## **Annual report** **1[st] April 2022 – 31[st] March 2023** ## **Status** The Local Carers Network is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Charity Registration No. 1155280 Company registration number CE000647 **Address** The Welcome Centre, 43 Hamilton Street, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH41 5AA ## **Contact details** Email: support@tlcnetwork.co.uk Phone: 0151 647 9584 **2** ## **Current Trustees:** There has been no changes to our trustees, this has helped to offer consistency over the past year. Laura Carman (Chair person) Appointed 2016 reelected 2018/20/22 Susan Mahoney (Trustee) Appointed 2015 reelected 2018/2021/2023 Louise Reecejones (Secretary) Founder Trustee January 2014 reelected 2018/2022 Selena Chisholm Appointed 2019 reelected 2022 All trustees are reappointed at our Annual General meeting **----- Start of picture text -----**
Current Charities Bankers
Barclays Bank,
Liscard branch,
Wallasey
The principal activity of the Charity
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To promote and advance the knowledge, education, and well-being in life of all persons with special needs or disabilities and to support their families by such charitable means as the trustees think fit. To ensure as far as possible such persons with special needs may advance in life and develop as individuals and members of society. ## **Services Offered** TLC Network is a dedicated organisation committed to assisting families, caregivers, young individuals, and children facing the challenges associated with Special Educational Needs or disabilities, encompassing a broad spectrum of conditions, difficulties, and disabilities falling under the legal term Special Educational Needs (SEND). Since our inception, we have been actively engaged in making a tangible impact by working closely with families at the grassroots level. Our primary objective is to prevent and overcome barriers, thereby addressing issues such as isolation, self-harm, re-offending, child abuse, domestic abuse, segregation, financial poverty, homelessness, and bullying, including exclusion from school or school activities. Our comprehensive range of services includes an independent **3** advocacy service, inclusive projects, outreach services, training events, direct family and guardian support, as well as casual conversations over a cup of tea when a simple chat about the weather is needed. We recognise that not every family requires extensive support; some simply need a friendly connection without judgment. Collaborating with various professionals and organisations, we strive to deliver cohesive and effective support. Our offerings extend to inclusive activities such as tots group, children's activity groups, and parent and caregiver support sessions. We conduct training sessions on specific diagnoses or general disability training for parents, professionals, schools, and businesses. Additionally, we provide advice and guidance on Adult ADHD, with trained volunteers available to assist adults seeking support. A significant focus of our work lies in providing specialised advice and guidance on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, marking it as our predominant area of support. Through our concerted efforts, TLC Network aims to create a supportive network that empowers individuals and families to navigate the complexities associated with Special Educational Needs and disabilities. In response to the challenges faced by families awarded direct payments in securing suitable caregivers, we established our Direct Payments Hub as a paid service under direct payments. This initiative has proven successful, as we meticulously match dedicated caregivers with individuals requiring support and coordinate their weekly engagements. Our current team of caregivers has demonstrated exceptional commitment, introducing innovative and enjoyable activities for the individuals they care for. Moreover, we have initiated travel training sessions, which have been highly successful, fostering a positive experience for all participants on public transport. With a focus on expanding our offerings in weekly sessions, we aim to provide a safe and engaging environment for more children to have fun and learn. The increasing demand underscores the need for additional caregivers to join our team, allowing us to extend our support to more children requiring assistance. Given the specialised nature of the job and the potential challenges presented by some young individuals, we prioritise comprehensive training for all caregivers to ensure the delivery of the highest quality care. Inclusivity is a core value of our organisation, and we actively support Deaf **4** families by collaborating closely with local agencies. Our efforts include providing deaf advocates to amplify the voices of D/deaf parents and ensure that children, whether deaf or born to deaf parents (known as CODA’s), have strong representation. Recognising the potential risks faced by CODA children who may be utilised as interpreters, we work diligently to address and prevent abuse. Our collaboration with services involves promoting an understanding of the rights of the deaf community and the specific rights of CODA children. Addressing the ongoing challenge of accessing fully trained and qualified interpreters for statutory services remains a priority, and we function as advocates, clarifying our role in supporting families rather than serving as interpreters **5** Our organisation recognises the unique challenges faced by Deaf families, particularly their frequent involvement in child protection proceedings. It is essential to clarify that this involvement is not indicative of parenting struggles or abuse within these families. Instead, it predominantly stems from communication barriers that lead agencies to perceive a lack of engagement, subsequently initiating a process that may be challenging for Deaf families to navigate. Understanding the critical need in this area, we have identified it as a key focus for future development. We are committed to addressing the communication gaps that contribute to the misperception of disengagement by Deaf families. Our goal is to enhance support systems and resources to empower these families, ensuring they can effectively navigate child protection processes. By bridging the communication divide, we aim to mitigate the unnecessary involvement of Deaf families in child protection proceedings and foster a more inclusive and understanding approach from agencies. This initiative aligns with our commitment to advocating for the rights and well-being of Deaf families, striving to create an environment where they are fully understood and supported in their parenting journey. - In addition to our range of services, we empower parents through training on effectively representing their children in school meetings. This equips parents with the knowledge and skills to actively participate in discussions and decision-making processes related to their children's education. - Key tenets of our organisation include our independence from statutory services and our belief in the value of constructive challenge as a healthy practice. Our approach is rooted in principles of transparency, mutual respect, and trust. We champion collaboration and equal partnership, expecting reciprocity in our interactions. - Comprising parents of children, young people, or adults with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), we collectively make decisions that reflect a diverse array of perspectives. Our roles are designed to contribute unique viewpoints, striving to be as representative as possible of the families of children and young people with SEND in Wirral. - A core objective is to enhance family participation and co-production in the development and commissioning of services that impact us. Through our efforts, we aim to create a more inclusive and collaborative approach to shaping the services that directly affect our community. **6** - Operating on a pan-disability basis, we uphold a commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that our work is conducted without exclusion or bias. By embracing diversity, we foster an environment that truly reflects the varied experiences and needs of families with children and young people with SEND. Our organisation is driven by a set of values and principles that guide our actions and decisions, aligning with the Nolan principles of public life. These values serve as the foundation of our commitment to the community and the mission we aim to achieve: 1. Selflessness: We make decisions based on our values and mission, prioritising universal benefit over personal gain. 2. Integrity: We avoid placing ourselves under obligations to individuals or organisations that may influence our decisions, ensuring our actions are guided by honesty and moral principles. 3. Objectivity: We strive to be representative of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) community and our localities, embracing diverse perspectives to make informed decisions. 4. Accountability: We willingly accept accountability for our decisions and actions, subjecting ourselves to appropriate scrutiny to maintain transparency and trust. 5. Openness: We are transparent about all decisions and actions, providing reasons when necessary, fostering an environment of openness and clear communication. 6. Honesty: We openly declare any private interests related to our duties and proactively address conflicts, prioritising the protection of our reputation, values, and mission. 7. Leadership: We promote and support the aforementioned principles through leadership and example, inspiring others to uphold the same standards of integrity and commitment. Our volunteers, who form the backbone of our charity, have contributed over 5000 hours of volunteer service in the past year. This significant dedication has made a profound difference in the lives of families across Wirral and the Northwest, underscoring the impactful role of our volunteers in fulfilling our mission. **7** # _**“Having a skilled Advocate has been valuable to this family, it is so important it is available to others in the future. Thank you so much”**_ _**Wirral social care**_ **8** ## **A message from our Chair** I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported our charity through the last year, especially considering the impact of the pandemic that is still causing significant delays and waiting lists. Our dedicated volunteers have admirably adapted, shifting their support for families to online platforms and going out now to meetings including our Friday support sessions. This year has seen the successful expansion of our Direct Payments service, and we plan to continue its growth with careful consideration. The unwavering commitment and hard work of our volunteers fill me with immense pride. Their dedication to the charity has been instrumental, providing crucial help to many families who might have otherwise been left without support. At The Local Carers Network, we consider ourselves one united family. I eagerly anticipate welcoming new families and community members to our charity in the coming year. Witnessing the continuous growth of the charity and the positive impact we make on the community is truly humbling. Serving as the chair of this genuine charity, powered by a remarkable team of volunteers, fills me with pride and honor. In our journey, we've proven that true magic lies not in fairy dust, but in the extraordinary efforts of our amazing team. Best Wishes ## **Laura Carman** **Chair Of Trustees** **9** ## **We have received support and funding from:** **We have also received private donations from many of our members, from the smallest to the largest we are very grateful to you all. We would also like to thank everyone who has nominated us on Facebook for Birthday donations.** **Easy fundraising has also been successful in bring in much needed funds too, thank you to all members who think of us every time they shop online, all those small pennies really do add up.** **10** ## **Financial Statement TLC Network April 2022 – March 2023** The Local Carers Network For the 12 months ended 31 March 2023 ||2023
Income
Cost of living grant
1,950.00
Contribution Cash Donation
3,292.77
FundraisingIncome
183.35
GrantReceived
500.00
Interest Received
53.08
Directpayment account
1,696.80
Insurance payout for repairs
14,145.00
Over 18 1:1 support
16,839.12
RefundReceived
36.29
RoomHire
100.00
Under 18 Direct Payments Provision
7,463.00
Total Income
46,259.41
LessExpenses
Administration Expenses
426.60
Audit & Accountancy fees
388.56
Cleaning
136.25
1:1 Carers DP
18,501.00
GeneralExpenses
2,427.39
Grant Expenditure
1,367.44
Insurance
3,503.37
Inventory Write Off
220.00
IT Software and Consumables
334.27
MiscellaneousExpense
1,668.09
Motor Vehicle Expenses
107.40
Premises Rent
7,500.00
Repairs and Servicing
13,865.34
Subscriptions
96.00
Telephone & Internet
1,295.60
WasteDisposal
220.00
Total Expenses
52,057.31
Surplus (Deficit)
(5,797.90)
Net Cash Movement
(5,797.90)| |---|---| **11** |Summary|| |---|---| |OpeningBalance|47,389.00| |PlusNet Cash Movement|(5,797.90)| |CashBalance|41,591.10| **This report is agreed as a true and accurate account by all trustees Submitted Tuesday 30th January 2024** **12** LC TM he Local Carers Network