Charfty reglstratlon number: 1171704
AUTISM
FORWARD
AUTISM FORWARD
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

AUTISM FORWARD
CONTENTS
Reference and Adminlstr8tive Dètails
2to16
Trustees. Report
ststement of Trustees. RgsFK)nsitilitie$
17
Independent Examine¢s Report
18to19
Statement of Financial Actlvilies
20
21
Balan¢e Sh8et
Notes to the FInanc￿l Statements
22to27

AUTISM FORWARD
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DEfAILS
Tru$tO05
Ms A Laverett
Ms J Pier
Dr E Gok¢en
Ms H Needham
Prlnclpal Offlce
37 Granville Park
London
SE13 7DY
Charlty Reglstrntlon Number
1171704
Wobslte
www.autismforward.org.Ltk
Bank8rs
Metro Bank PLC
One Southampton Row
London
WC1B SHA
Indgpendgnt Examlner
Rotherham Ta￿Or Limited
21 Navigation Business Village
Navigation Way
Ashton-on-Ribble
Preston
PR2 2YP
Page 1

AUTISM FORWARD
TRUSTEES. REPORT
The trustees have pleasure in presenting their and the unaudited financial statements of the
charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.
The financial statsments hava been preparad on an accrua￿ basis in accordance y￿th the account+ng
policies set out in the ni)tss to the financial statements and comply wth Ihecharivs constitution.
Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charilies:Stalgment of Recommended Practice
applicable lo chartties preparing their financial statements in accordance %Mth the Financial Reporting
standard appl￿b￿ in the UK and Republic of Irelarml published 16 JU￿ 2014. The financial
statements have been examinèd by an Independenl Examinor.
1. 8TRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The charty is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. registered number 117104 ané 15 constituted
under a Foundation Constitution which came into force on 20 February 2017. Ann Laverett, Jane
Pler¢e and Elif Gokcon were the three ccpfounders of the charity ané were all r8appoint8d for a furthgr
pertod of 3 years commencing on 23 January 2023. Helen Needham was appointed as a tru5ts8 on
20 October 2020 and was reappointed for a further poriod of 3 years commencing on 1 November
2023.
New trustees are appolnted by the e￿StIng trustees and In selectlng IndlvlduaEs for appI￿ntment as
harity Iruslee5. the trustees must hav9 regard to the skills, knowledge and experl&nce needed for the
effeclive administralion of the charity. The Constitution provides for a minimum of 3 trustees and there
is no maximum. Trustsos are gligiblg for roappointmonl at the end of their term.
As the ¢harity is PTimarity a granl-making charlty. it does not have any pald employees and am
fundraising and administrative work is undertaken by the trustees. The trustees attend exlemal
training courses as necessary and appropriate for their re$pon$ibililies and roles within the charty.
All trustees are required lo read Ihe Charily Commission's guidanc8 Yhe Essential Trustee: What yo
need to kno￿ and the new Charlty CommSsslon Governance Cod?.
The trustees aim to meet at 188st once every quarter to dlscuss fundralslng. finances, govomance
issues. events, new mentor partnerships or intbatives wllh other aU￿sM Char￿68 or potential corporate
sponsors and to confirm approval of grants. The day lo day administratlon of grants and tho
processing of applications is handled by the Chair and Secretary. A Grant Approval sU￿cOmMittee
was established by unanimous agreement of the trustees on 20 OctobeT 2020 and currenuy
comprises three trustees (Ann Leverett, Jane Pierce and Elif Gokcenl which approves all grant
appli¢alions and grant extensions in accordance with its temis of reference. Details of all gr8nts and
grant extensions approved by the Granl Approval Sub4ommittee are maée available to all trustees
and are presented at each board meeting.
All trustees give thelr Ilme freely and no tru$t¢9 remuneration was paid in the year and no expenses
wer& claimed by them. Trustees are required to disclose all re￿vant interests and register them vAth
the charity secretary in accordance with the charity's Conflict of Interest Policy and withdraw from any
decisions where a conflict of interest arises. No disdosures have been made by the Trustees SIr￿e
the charity was constituted.
Page 2

AUTISM FORWARD
TRUSTEES, REPORT
2. RISK MANAGEMENT
The trustees have considered the major risks to ￿Tch the charity Is exposed and have ￿￿eWed
those risks and established systems and procgdures to manage those risks which are set oul in tho
charitys Risk Management Strategy which is reviewed by the Treasurer annually. Thls ¢ontsins
pro¢edures lo ensu￿ Ihe Charity is cOmpl￿ng with the Charity Commisslon guidance In ￿latiOn to
due diligen¢e pro¢edures in relation to beneficiaries. donors and partners.
The ¢harity is primarity a grant making charty and it raises funds to provid8 grants for specialist
employTnent related m8nloring and workshopy for autistic adults who are adively seekiro paid or
voluntary empbyment. Tho mentoring and workshops are provtded by independent SP8Ck71isl mentors
who have proven experience of providing employment related mentoring to autistic adults. The mentor
partners a￿ entir91y independent of the charity and the charity earri85 out due diligence in relation to
each propos¢d montor partner in accordance wth the Charity Commission 'Know Your Partnerf,
guldelines to verify Iheii eXper￿nCe, good standing and suitability. Tha Gharity also entgrs into a
Referral Ag￿ement wtth each proposed mentor partner which sets out the process for referring grant
applicalons to the charfty and the rights and obligations of the mentor partner and the Gharity in
relatlon to the mentorlng seNice5 ￿thIch are funded by grants provided by the charty.
The charty has put in place processes to obtain regular feedbadt from grant hobsers and mentors In
relation to th8 mentoring provlded and thelr progress to monitor the use of the GhariVs funds and
outcomes and demonstrate the public benef￿ derlved from the fundlng of the specialist mentoring and
y￿￿kshOps. Th8 charity also reviews each mentor partner annually to ched( th8y ¢onlinue to meet the
good standing and other relevant requirements of the "Know Your Partnerf guidglines.
Th8 ch8rty is currently working with tsvelve independent speclallst mentor partners across the country
and we are activety seeking out more F)Otential mentor partner5 In new geographical areas of the
country. We have added ￿ n&w mentor organisations lo our network this flnanclal year to expand
our geographical reach.
The charivs surplus fijnds are divlded between the chariWs business sawng account at Metro Bank
plc, Ihe chaTty's business savlng account ￿th the MatIon￿de Bullding Society account and the
chariVs depostt account wth United Trust 8ank In order to benefit from the FSCS compensation
scheme with all three financial institLrtions. mlnlmlslng the charitys financial exposure. All payments
rnade by the charity from ils bank and buildlng soclety accounts require authorisation by tsvo Iruslees.
3. OBJECTIVES AND ACTNMES FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT
The objects of the charty are the promotion of social inclusion for the publlc beneflt amongst people
aged eighteen or over are excluded from society, or parts of society, due Io an aullsm spe¢lrum
Condl￿On, to relleve the need8 of such people and assist them to integrate into society and achieve
Iheir potential as Indlvlduals after they l&avg educalion, in particular bul not exclusiv8ty through
funding the provision of..
{a) pr&employmenl 8UPPOrt. including social skllls and other ￿levant training which enhances
empl0yBbili￿,
(b) Goa¢hing, mentoring. advice and support in relation to employabilty,
Ic) providing $peciali$l skills and awareness trainitvj and v￿rkshopS relating lo employability.
(d) facilllatlng access to a rango of social 8nd1olsure 8C￿￿tleS. and
{el aotion to in¢rease publi¢ and employer awareness of such disabilities and conditlons and promote
Steps that can be taken to facilitsle such social inclusion through employment.
Page 3

AUTISM FORWARD
TRUSTEES. REPORT
The truste89 conflm) that they have referred to the guidance conlalned in the Charity Commission's
general guidance on public benefft when re￿owIng the charilY8 aim8 and obleclrves and plannirrfJ
future activitbe8 and setting th8 grant making policy for the ch8rity.
The charity Carr￿ out these oblects by.
providing grants to autistic adults to allow them to acc888 speoalk8t mentorlng andlor
workshops to help them prepare for, find and m8intsin p8id or voluntsry employment and lo
improve their social inclusion by accessing clubs, groups, workshops and work placements:
providing information and resources for autistic people and employers on its website.
including detsils of specialist mentors offering one-tO￿ne support andlor workshops to
autistic people to help them prepare for, and maintain paid or volur)tary employment and
Ilnks to other websites and ￿sourCes.
ralslng awareness among employers of the needs and strengths of autlstlc employees and
providing advice and slgnposting services wlh the aim of Increa81ng access to employment
for autistlc people and creatlng more inclus5ve workp18ces,' and.
liaising with universities and colkges to raise awarengss of the charitys servlces for auljs￿C
students upon graduation and other initiatives which Gan improve gmployin8nl outcomes for
autisliG students.
In March 2024 we attended the launch of the Buckland Re￿eW of Autism Employment initiated by Sir
Robert Buckland KC MP, having be8n invited to contribute to the Review aknngside the Leg81
Neurodiversity Ne￿Ork. We welcome the r8commendations of the Rewew ané the attention it brings
to the prasslng need to remove barriers to employment for autistic people. 11 tt￿hlIghts many of the
Issues that Autlsm Forward was sel up to address. in particular..
- The18ck of specialist coaches and support for autistic people geeklng eMplo￿lent In many area$ of
the country.
-The drfficulties in obtaining DWP Access to Woth funded support, which 18 only 8vai18ble once in paid
employTnenl. It oftan takes months lo pul in plac9 after employTnent is secured, so does not aid the
cwcial tran$ibon into work.
-many people ar8 unawaw of their righl under the Equality Act to request'reasonable adjustments. In
the thplace. or indeed exa¢ty vthal adjustments they might need.
-People are often Un￿llIng to request "reasonable adjustments" due to P8rcgived stigma or are
denied the adjusknents by their employer.
-Lack of awareness among employers of the benefit of employing more autistic people and thè
adjustments they can offer lo make their recruitment processes and workplace more accessible for
autlstle people.
ack of guidance and awareness trainlng for colleagues and ￿ne managers.
Page 4

AUTISM FORWARO
TRUSTEES, REPORT
The report has some excellent reccmmendations for empkjyers and will be piloting schemes such as
an -adjustm8nls passport" designed lo make 11 easier for people to request and maintain reasonabl8
adluslments in th8 workplace. There is also an Intention lo improve the abilty of job centre work
coaches to assist autistic job seekers. However. very few such work coaches have an in4epth
underslanding of autism and are incenlivised to get people Into work as quid(ly as possible, rather
than helping the indNidual identify the best role for them and the adjustments they need to thrive at
work. The ￿pOrt also mentions referrals by DWP to Work Psythologists, but there ar8 very few of
those across the oountry and the support is often In groups and Ilmited in frequency and duration.
Our approach ensures that mentoring SUPFQrt is provided on a one to one bas18. wlth regulaiity
and consistency by a mentor who has lived andlor professional experfence supporting autistic people
into employment with the right adjustrnents. Support is a150 given to help access beneffts, social
activities, training and navKJate social exp8Gtstions al work. We do not have a set tlmeframe or
timetable for support. the mentcr wll tailor this lo tho ne9ds of the individual. We can generalty exL&nd
support until the individual has achievod their employment goals or is equSpped to pursue tham
thout further support and often our ¢lients ¢orrtinue to Work with the same mentor once they are In
employThenl, funded by Access to Work. This point Is missing in the Review, whlch focuses on the
changgs empb)yers need to make rather than the support auti51ic people need to prepare for and
securg gmployTll8nt.
The Buckland Review slates that the estimated cost to the UK economy of the autism employmgnl
gap 18 around £14.$ billion per year, wllh the latest Labour Force Survey yhowng that onty 3 in 10
working age aulislic people are in empbyment. Thls Is a tragbc waste of talent and leads to soclal
isolation and financial hardship for so many autisllc people. Our work is therefore more Important than
ever. While the Buckland Review does not offer much in the way of preryemployment support for
autistic job seekers and certainly no addltkjnal fundlng, we hope that the renewed focus on vthal
employers can and sfvould be doing to rnake workplaces more accessible for autisti¢ people will
benefit our grant holders and autisllc people across thg country.
The S￿lalIst mentoring funded by the chartty enables autistic peoplg to prepare for, find arffl
rnainlain suitable employment which Improvas thelr independence and soclal Incluslon. On average,
over Ihg last six years, including the years when covid restrictions appliad, 81 yo of the 8ullstlc lob
$9okers we hav8 SUPPOrted have secured paid or voluntary employment 159% paid and 22%
voluntary} {up from 72Vo average lasl year, of which 54QA was paid employTnent). The impressive
out¢omos for our boneficiarie5, as set out in further detail in section 8 of this report, dernonstralg the
eff8¢tiveness of the specialist rnentoring support we fund. The qualitative feedbaGk shows the broad
nature of the support which g09s above and beyond employment related support, helping our clients
to access benefits, training, S￿181 activTti&s and to develop strategies to help them Gope with the
ba￿lerS they face in a wortd that is not yet adapted for autistic people.
We alwa￿ seek to ensure that the 8UPPOrt we fund is in line wth the requlrements and values of the
autistic community and we recognise the importance of including aulistlc people at all levels of our
organisalion. Helen Needham, who is autistic herself. joined our Board of Trustees In 2020 and an
incwslng number of the speckalisl employment mentors we work with are also autistic. We seek
r8gular feedback from the autlstic job Seekers we support lo ensure that the support we fund is of
valu8 to them. We also use our soclal media and newsletters lo promote the work and events of
autistlc and neurodivergent led organisalions. We also fund regular Peer Support meetings which are
njn by our mentor partner, AS Meritoring and have recently slarted funding a Movie Club for ALrtism
Forward clients in Brighton run by our mentor partner Karen-Anne Manghan of ASC Key Mentoring,
who meet on a weekty basis lo discuss films selected by the group.
Page 5

AUTISM FORWARD
TRUSTEES. REPORT
We Ilalse wlth empbyers, universities and Col￿geS lo raise awareness of the strengths and ngeds of
autlstl¢ people. promoting emP￿yMent opportunities for autistic people across the UK. Wo have
created a network of employers and continue lo hold roundtables for employers. whith havo b88n
attended by representstives from over 80 dlfferent organlsalions, induding empbyers. universities
and researchers. These provide a forum for HR and Dlverslly & Incluslon teams lo meet with autistic
employees and professionals to dlscuss how employErs Improve recruitment proc*sses and
implement iniliatTrve5 10 improve opportunllles and Incluslon for autlstic people. We are acttvely
involved wtth the Legal Neurodiversty Network and are also a member of GAIN (Group for Autism,
Insurance, Investment and NeurodNersity). We have also just Signed up to the new Autism
Empktryment Netsvork launched by the Autism Centre for ExrEllence.
4. PRO BONO CONTRIBUTIONS
The charity has no paid em￿oYeeS and the expenses of the charity are covered by donalons by the
trust8es. All of thg grant administration, record keeping, data analysis, fundraising. èvent organisalion,
employer roundtsble events, univerS￿eS and communication is carriad out by the trustees on a pro
bono basis, drawing on their professional experience, nelworks and resources. Ml of the tharitys
awaren8ss raising 8vents and roundtables to date have been hosted by corporate suppjrters at no
C05t to the Gharity or attendees. This maximises the use of the charity's funds for its beneficxaries and
ensures its awareness raising events reach a wide audience.
5. GRANT MAKING POLICY
The charity has 8stablkshed its grant making policy wth thè aim of promotiro the social indusion of
autistic people and assist them to integrate into society and achieve their potentlal by providing grants
for funding spe¢ialist one-towone mentorin9 lo help them prepare for, find and malntaln pakl or
voluntary employment or for training activities whiGh are relevant to improving employability.
The charfty currently works wth twelve specialist mentc*ing organisati￿S across the county and has
carried out due dlllgence che¢ks and entered into Referral Agreements with the organisatsons listed
below which betsveen them cover London, Surrey, Essex. Suffolk. Brighton. Birniroham. Manchester.
Bedfordshire, Devon, East Midlands, Northampton. Plymouth, Hull. LiverFM)ol, Chester. Bristol, Poole.
Cambridgeshir8 and Nottingham. AJI our mentors now offar remote mentorfng servlce$. which extends
their geographical TeaGh and increases th8 number of dients they are able to suppc*t.
Autism Bedfordshire
Autistic Nottingham
Autlsm East Midlands
AS Mentorlng Llmlted
ASC Key Mentoring (Karen Manghan)
Autism Succe88 Fomiula Limited
Faraday Feamside
Matthew's Hub
Spectrum Career Coach
Think Musique
Track NN Limi18d
Waymakws Devon CIC
Page 6

AUTISM FORWARD
TRUSTEES. REPORT
The charty accepts application$ from grants vla lis mentor partners and dlrects enquiries from its
website lo the menlor partners IL8ted on its webslte. All grant apFllcations musl ￿ made an
approved m8ntor partner and all grant PayTnents a￿ made directly to the mentor parts)er. The charity
awards inltial grants for up te one year of weekly ￿ fortnightly onerlcFone mentoring support and will
consider requests for grant extensions where the grant holder is making good progress towards
employment and 1$ engaging well with the mentorfng suprMIrt-
The applicants must be aged 18 or over and must have a diagno$is of an autism spectrum condition
or evldence that they are actively seeking such a diagnosis. They must also provide evidence Ihat
they Ilve and are entitled lo work in the United lQngdom and priority is given to applicants in financial
need. Whlle many of our applicants are looking for their first role after leaving edl￿atIOn, we also
support many people who are late diagnosed, long tsrm unemployed or who have struggled to find 8
suitable role or an employer who is willing to offer the adjustments necessary for them to succeed 8t
work.
The charity requires regular feedback fr￿ the mentors on thg progress of the beneficiarie5 and
feedback frcm the beneficiaries on the mentoring they reGeive in ordei to monitor the use of the
charity's funds and outcomes.
6. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
(a) Grants for Montoring Support
In the flnancial year 9nding 31 Mar¢h 2024. the ¢h8rity awarded grants for specialist mgntoring
support to 77 autistic people around the country with the aim of improving their social indusion and
helping them to 58cure paid or voluntary employment. The charity also continued lo fund mentoring
support for 107 of the grant holders from previous financial years, thus providing support for a tol81 of
184 autistic job seekers during the financial year ended 31 March 2024, 120 of whom were stbll
receiving supptyl at the end of the financial year. This was the largest 8VgT Cohort supported by the
charity and we are continuing to see a rise in applutions from all ar8as of th8 country.
The average age of our 2023-24 grant holders is 30 years oky, with 51Vo identi￿ng as female, 48%
male and 1 ThOn￿lnary. It is the first year that our percentage of female clients has exceeded that of
male cllents. The qualifications held by the grant holders range frorn no formal qualmcatlons lo
hAasters and PhD level degrees and professional qUalificat￿n5. The sectors in which the applicants
have secured or are seeking employTh8nl are incredibly varied, including education. heallh and caT8
sector. research, game design, pharmacy, IT, hospitality, horticulture. film, music. accountsncy and
r&tall. The wide variety of careers pursued by our grant holders dispel$ Gomm¢)n preconceptlons of the
types of roles that are suitable for autistiG people and demonstrates that auUstlc people can pursu8
any career cholo which matches thelr Interest and skllls wlh the right guidance and support. Some
are also given support to pursue self4mploym8nt, which can be an attractive option for autistic pooplo
given the ¢hall8nges some workplaces can presenl
In addlWon to suwting our benef￿larieS into empksyment the mentors help anxiety.
communlcation, sensory and also practical issues they may be facing, vthich improves their
autonomy, well-being and social inclusion. For exampte, our mentors have helped beneficiaries with
anxiety, Iravelling on public transport. relationship issues and ofganisational skills. On a practical
revel, our mentors have helped beneficiaries deal with benefits dairns, tenancy problem5. debt
problem9 and ￿ferr81S to apprcpriate health and menlal health serwces. Th8 mentors have also
facilrtaled participation in new clubs. gr¢Jups and social activiti85 as well as workshops and training to
improv8 their employability, soGial indusion and well-being.
Page 7

AUTISM FORWARD
TRUSTEES. REPORT
(b) Outcom•s from M?ntoring support
The Govemment stated In the Buckland Revlew of AU￿srn Employment that lewer than 3 in 10 auligtic
people are in work. so the results achieved by our beneficiaries are Pa￿c￿larty impressive.
demonstrating the effectiveness of the specialist mentoring support that we fund.
The outcomes for grant holders awarded grants during the financial year 202>24 who have had
betsveen 3 and 12 months, $upport wert as follows..
890kn madejob appli¢ations
79% attended job interviews
50•A joined new clubs or groups
50% undertook some form of training or placement
50% secured volunlary roles
50% secured paid employment
The total employment flgure for our 2023-24 grant hokler¥ 1$ 80% {52% paid., 28% voluntary)
The total eMpLo￿nent figure for our 2022-23 grant holders is 72% {52Y• pald.. 20% volunlary>
The total emplownent figure for our 2021-22 grant holders 1$ 75% {58% paid., 17QA voluntary}
The total emplo￿nent figure for our 2020-21 grant holderg18 81 % (67% paid. 14% volunL2ry)
The total emplo￿ne￿I figure for our 2019-20 grant holders is: 900A165% paid., 25% voluntary)
The total emplo￿an1 fyure for our 201&19 grant holders is: 90%158% paid., 32% voluntary)
Tho above figures for all financTal years include clients whose support was ended earty due to heatth
or other issue$ and ¢lients whose grants have been temporarity paused. The figures for the current
finanGial year include only grant holders who have had belween 3 and 12 months. support. Some of
the grant holders were awarded grants in previous financial years have had more than 12
months, support. We anticipate that our benefiGiaries will continue to move into employTnent,
improwng the empksyment outcomes for our 202>24 granl holdgrs, as has happened bwth all
previous cohorts.
Page 8

AUTISM FORWARD
TRUSTEES, REPORT
1¢) Feedback from our Beneficlarles
We introducgd a ngw formal for the regular feedback from our grant holders In 2021 whlch enables us
to assess the valu8 of the support we fund In more detsll. The results of the f8edback from grant
t￿ld￿r$ have had al least 6 months, menlorlng support during the financial year ended 31 March
2024 are set out below. This includes grant holders were awarded grants in previous financial
years and who continued to receive supwt this year. The responses demonstrate the Imder impaGt
and value of the speGiali5t mentoring support we fund. beyond employmenl outcomes.
Every one of the rnetrics below has improved slrbce ￿st year. some by a$ much as 20%. We are
particularly proud that 100% said they would recommend the support funded by Ihe ¢harity to other
autislic job seekers, demonstrating the consistentty hlgh level of support prowded by all our mentor
partn&rs. Furthemorg, some cl￿nIS commented that they had responded -no. lo questlons such as
°helping proparo for int•rvigws" bgcause that support was not relevant to them. FollowlNJ their
suggestion, going fi)rward the forns will be revised to incI￿￿e a -not relevanf opoon to get a more
a￿Urate picture of the impa¢t of the Supp(￿1.
99Vo said the support improved their understandin9 of their strengths and chaI￿ng8S.
95¥¢J said the support improved their understanding of whatjob Is sultsblè for thèm.
89¥• said th8 SUPPOrt improved thgir undgr5tanding of how to find a job.
79V• said th8 SUPPQrt hglped them draft or update their CV.
85% said the support made them more confident about dlscloslng their diagno$i$ and
93•/o said the support made them more confident a￿ul requestlng °rea80nable adjustments.
73% said the wpport helped them prepare for interviews.
67Yo sald the support helped them loin groups, make friends or participate in other activilies.
94Yb said the support improved thelr self4OnfKler￿e.
63% said the support helped them access benefits, health ¢are or olher wblk $ervi¢es.
63% said the support helped them access training, ￿)rkShopS or furU)&r education.
100% said thal they would recommend the support funded by the charlty to other aullstlc Job seeker5,
The qualltallve feedback responses behjw from ￿rne of the autislic job seekers we have supported
thls year provide further evidence of the value of the swialisl sypport we fund, including the
workshop programmes and our ernployer roundtables. This support enables people not only to find
paid or voluntary employment, but also to Improve thelr Independen￿, so¢ial inclusion, COnf￿enCe
and seif-esteem. lo understand better how their aul$m affects them and to develop stratsgies to
address issues which may be holding them back. Thls is benefi¢ial not only to the individuals and their
faMI￿e$. but also benefits the public purse as it reduces the need for rellance on benellts and publi
services such as rnenlal health provision and leads to a more incluslve and coheslve soclety and
diverse workforce.
The feedback aL80 highlights the gap in support for auti8tic people when they leave education. or
obtain a lats diagnosis, that is 50 Oftgn nogded to enable them to fulfil their potential in the V•fJrt(pla¢e
and beyond.
Page 9

AUTISM FORWARD
TRUSTEES REPORT
Client of Ros Evans {Surrey)
Ros has SUPPDrted me through one of the most dlfficult perlods of my Ime. we first ft￿t. I felt
utt8ty lost 8nd defeated. Lacking COnfide￿e follo￿ng my autlsm dl8gnosls. Ros has helped me to
rediscover my stren9ths and passions. l am now regularly applylng lor Jobs arnl feel confident fhaf. in
time. l ￿.11 be back in employment. Furthennore, I now have a much better understanding of which
types of work are &uitsbl& ftir me and the workplaGe accomn1odatit￿s t1￿1 I can ask for. Ros is 8n
incrèdibly supportive and caring mentor, ?nd I look fO￿ard lo every sesslon wllh her. 1 8m so
incredibly gr8teful to have received this 9r8nt from Autism Fonvard- Ih8nk you.
ASC Key Montoring Cliont (Brighton)
I cannot oversÉate the importance of the mentoring I've received. It h8s b8&n an essential ￿mponent
to my understsnding of myseff as an autistic adull, my needs, ats"lilies and skills 8S W811 as how to set
my$8ff up lo thrive. Wrthin the context ol wotl(, having a saf8 space where I can sh8ro. f8el listened to
and seen and to have an advttate, someone with the knowledg8, 8xwy8nce and skills to support mg
to better understand the wor* environment and how I can thrive rath8r than just suNive has been life
¢h8nging. Further, I feel far more confident moving from a poSit￿n of isola¢ion and loneliness to
finding Ilke mfftded peo￿, a Community and find the social intsraclions thal I'm so keen lo experience
on my tems. The beneffts for me h8ve been far ￿&¢hing, massively fneaningful and arg deep rooted.
AS Mentorlng cllent {Londonl
I fe81 that during each seswon I have re811y grown in confidence, and 11 is helpfiJl to dls¢uss id&8s lor
how lo find new employment, and improve inkniew skills.
Autism Easl Midlands Clignl
S8m8ntha has been a big help for me, she's helped me feel COnf￿nt in my diagnosis and
comfortable 8cknowledging thot I need exlTr support in the workplac8. Understanding my ¢hallenges
h8s hglpgd me feel con7fortable in finding a job and 8S￿ng for help when I need it.
Autlsm Succèss Fomiula Cll•nt (Essgx)
Mentoring has helped focus on what I would ycific81fy be int8restèd in. It h?s hglpgd me by
dKecting me lo a specthc course on Llat8 anatytics and therefore got a foot in Ihg door for an IBM
course. I was apptying ftjr jobs whilst studying and l arn updaLrrw my CV furthgr having done the
course and ￿71 apply for more jobs in 2024. 1 have made progrnss in my job searthing and
profess￿nal dgvft1opm￿t.
ASC K•y Montoring Cli8nt (Brighton)
Karen has helped me to become more self aware and accepting of my autsstAC self in many different
s￿8$ ol my Ilfe. I feel Ilstened to, understood and respected which is very refreshing as an autistic
person. l am looking forward to wort(Ing on new ideos for 2024.
Autlsm Bedfordshlre Client
I have begn supported to get a job with Autism Bedfordshire as an expert with experience and also I
run workshops in photography.
Page 10

AUTISM FORWARD
TRUSTEES. REPORT
ASC Key Mgntorlng CHont (Brlghton}
This mentonng h88 been vilal lo my transilm from university into thg workplace. Whilst l am s*ll
struggling, I feel it would be completety impossible Mthout this support,
AS Mentorfng (London)
Slobh8n 1$ an am8zlng M￿lor and has been very helpfvl throughout the process. 18m now ftKusing
on 8pptylng forjobs thanks to her support and assistance.
WayMak•rs (Devon) CIC Cllent
11 has helped ma gain mor8 confidenGe in gettlng myself amund In public tTrnsport, incre8sed
confidencè and th8 process for rny mental health and in Job process In general. Knowing lh8 rigm
envimnmant and Iy9htiob for me e.g. sensory, hgavy Ilftlng, hours, travgl and distsnce. It h8s be8n 8n
8nioyable pmcas&
Faraday Fearnslde Cllent (Ptymouth)
It has helped me gel into voluntary wort, which is providing valuable experience to help me move
onlo the nexl step of gaining paid employment. The mentoring has 81so supported me in moving into 8
more Inde￿ndent way of Ilwng. finding infom7ation about supported housing, contacting social
serviG&s, and getting all my bpnefits sorted. tt is very valuabl8 in developing confidence and
awareness ofjobs tl)8t are suitable forme. and other training that ￿ avai18ble.
AS Monlorfng Cllent (London}
Working with my mentor has b99n incredibly valuabl8 for my confidence, acceptance of my autism
diagnosis, and abilty to ask for aC￿mModatiOnS. With this support I f981 more oplimisbc that I ￿11 be
8ble to find wort¢ and h8ve the light support whil8 working so I can succged.
Faraday Faarn8ldo Cllent (Plymouih)
The mentoring has been extremety helpfvl for me, I would not have been able to access most of the
r9sources l am now using withoirt it. I'vg 1)een able to understand and work through certain ￿sueS ltre
had with applying for jobs in the past. I would absolutely recommend ¢he mentoring to other 8ulislic
jobseekpr$ 8nd know my own fulure ¢afterpmgression would not have happengd withoul if.
ASC Key Mentoring Client (Brlghton)
The n79rtoring I hav& re¢eived has b&en a vital support for Me while l apply toiobs and try to wort( out
what supports I might rjeed in a workplace. The bpneffts of speaking lo a mentor who shargs your
naumty￿ re81ty cany b8 underst8t8d. My menfor Is excelbnt and l am incredibly grateful.
WayMak•rs ID•vonl CIC Cllenl
The mentoring has helped me m8ke lots of positive steps in the right direction after being made
frtdund8nt. I'm in the pmcess of setting myself up 8S 8 self-employed witual assistant, which is
somethlng I hadnl consldered until acces￿ng this support.
Page 11

ALrrisM FORWARD
TRUSTEES. REPORT
(d) Employer Network and Re¢ruitment Roundtabl•$
Autism Forward has created a nefv40rk of employers, aulistlc employees and prof&8slonals who meet
regularly to discuss and implement initiatives to improve opportuntlies and inclusion for aut18I¢
people. By meeting regulady and sharing b881 practice, we can drive change forward more effedvely
and ensure that the change8 8uti5tic peop18 r8qulre to access empkswnent and thrlve In the workpla¢e
are implemented.
Our nelwork includes a wide range of employers including law fimis. accountsncy ffims, management
consLJltants, banks, investment banks, technology companies, telecoms companles. insurers. asset
management firms, universtties and other autism charities and is continuing lo grow. In May 2023. the
global PR company MSL hosted a roundtable wtth Autism Fomard. AS Mentoring and the specialist
Incluslve communlcations consultancy, Untapped, for their teams 8nd also a number of the clients
they work wllh. The roundtable ￿as focused on communicatiNJ intem81ty arml exlemalty as an
inclusive organisalion.
In June 2023 we attended the EmplO￿￿ent Autlsm. Care Trade and LSBU Confe￿nce fttused on
Trans￿On into Employment for autistic adults ￿lch gave us the opportunity to connect wlth other
organisations working to improve employment outcomes for autiglic people.
We were in￿te¢ by the Legal Neurodiversity Ne￿rk to preserit at a roundlable vAth Sir Robert
Buckland QC MP and rep￿Sen￿lIveS of the DWP 85 part of the Buckland Review of Auli8m
Emplow￿¢nt. We used the opportunity to highlight the current gap in support that autistic people face
when leaving education and transitioning to emplo￿nent and tho issuos tsced by late diagnosed
adults who face challenges in the workplace.
We also attended a number of roundtable events held by the Legal NeUrc￿1v￿1lY Network. including
events at Linklatsrs, Well Gotshal & Manges and BCLP and Allen & Overy, which included many fimg
have worked with ovgr the last 6 years. It was encouraging to see the Legal Neurodiversity
Ne￿ork singled out in the Buckknd Review as an gxample of good practice. Thls dynamlc n6￿rk of
over 50 organisations has adopted the roundlabt9 approach that we have used successfully over the
la$t 6 years to bring together gmployers and their neurodivergent sfaff to shar9 besl practice and
promote in¢lusion and opportunities acros5 various sectors including kngal, insurance, banking,
accountar)cy and media.
(e) Peer support groups for Autlstlc Adults
Wg havg ¢ontinugd lo fund a $orie5 of online support groups, which are an excellent way to provide
cost effective and peer to peer support for autistic adults. Our mentOT partner, AS Mentoring, runs a
number of programmes which we have cornmrtted lo fund in line with agreed cg$ting PTrJposals. The
current programmes that the charity Supports are as follDw8:
(il AS Mgntoring Pggr Support Groups
AS Mentoring now run5 regular peer support groups Autlstlc Job Seekers and for neurodivergent
people who are or wish to be Self-Employed. Autism Forward funds places on the support groups for
those who meet our grant criteria.
Page 12

AUTISM FORWARD
TRUSTEES. REPORT
(11) Tugsday Night Movle Club
Autl$m Forward Is fundlng a new Tuesday Night Movle Ck¢b for the autistic job Seekers supported by
our mentor partner in Brighton, Karen-hnne Manghan, to enable them to meel up socialty. The club is
provlng a great success as th9 followng f68dback from one of the parttcipants demonstrates:
he Autlsm Forward Film Club has been 8 great opportunity to Gonne¢t wilh other autisi)c people who
sh8re my irteTrst in fflffts (and neurodivergent representation in medo). It's a novel experience for me
to be part of a gmup gnbrety comprised of other autistic adufts, and l find that it's both 8x¢ibng and
relaxing to fe81 Ihal Ini truly amongst my peers. l also like that Ihe fompat of our meetings is loosety
structured because i( ensures that those who arg feeling shy can be invofved as much as they are
comfort8ble wth. but also allows for those feeling more chaty to $hare too. It's realty fun to get to
W8tch movies that I might othe￿is8 have missed and to hear everyone's thoughts. Peth8PS
unsurprisingly. someone always h88 a fun fact to sharg, and everyone is realty welcorningl 181ways
look fonvard to ourmeetings."
(fj NeUr(￿1ver$1ty Awarono$8 Ral8lng Events
In addition to our work V￿th employers, this year we were Invited to present a sessicn On
neurodiversty at work to the current cohort of yourvJ peop￿ on Ihe excellent 20120 Level$ "l Am
Change" programm8 covering declaring a diagnosis. Equallty Act rights. re8sonable adjustmants.
Access to Work and other supwrt avalkble for neurodivergent Feople in the Workplace.
20120 Levels is a social mobilty organisalion, empowering Black and racialty underrepresented young
peopl8 through opportunities to maximlse thelr rKJtenlial. Their programmes have transfonned the
lives of over a thousand young pwle across London, with over 60% of their candidates galning new
employment within 3 months of compleung their programme. We have been invited back to present lo
the next intake in June 2024.
(g) Fundralslng
We are extremety gr8teful to our supporters and regular donors who hav8 enabled us lo continue t
provide vital support to autistic job seekers throughout this challenging time and ensure that we have
oertainty of funds for the comiThJ financial year so that we can continue to increase the number of
autistic lob seekers we are able to support across the country. Aulism Forward is registered vAth the
donation plaffoms Just GNing and Charities Ad Foundation and we rely moslty on indiwdual donors
lo support our work.
We were delight￿ to be nominated as a charty beneficiary of the CVC 301h AnnNersary ChallerKJe,
receiving a donation of over £17,000 through the efforts of two of the CVC teams. We are also very
grateful to John Leverett, son of our Chair and Treasurer, Ann Leve￿tt. who ralsed over £4,500 for
Autism Forward by running the London Marathon in April 2023.
Page 13

AUTISM FORWARD
TRUSTEES. REPORT
7. FINANCIAL REVIEW
At the end of the financial year ending 31 March 2024. thè charlty had reseNes of £132.310 avallable.
The charity awarded 77 new grants for mentoring support and providèd funding for various workshop
programmes and peer support groups run by our mentors for the benefit of autistic job seekgrs and
seK-?mployed people. We also continued to support 107 grant holder5 from previou5 financ4al years.
The initsal grant amount gener811y awarded has I￿en £1,500 sirice the charity was formed in 2017.
with extensions of £750 being granted where a cllent Is engaglng well w(th support but has not yet
reached th8ir employment goals. up to 8 maxlmum total grant of £3.000. In past years, a totsl grant of
£3,750 has been awarded in a couple of excepllonal clr¢umstsnces. Due to a gradual increase in
mentor fees over the kqst six years, the truste6s have unanimously agreed thal in the coming fir)ancial
year. the initial grant amount for all clients ￿11 be Increased to £1,800 and extensions of £900 will be
awarded ￿ere appropriate, up to a maximum total grant of £3.600. The new ¢xlension amount of
£900 and cap of £3,600 wll also apply lo existing clients. This is lo ensure that dlents are still gotting
sufficient hour5 of support and retlects the effect of inflation over the last slx years.
Ouring the financial Jtar ending 31 March 2024. charlty received d¢)nations totslling £78,895 and
£11,424 in glft aid receipts. None of the donations recelved by the charty had any wnditions
attached.
The char￿S grant makiTrg function is entirety rellanl on funds that ore raised through donations and
sponsored events, employer match funding of donations and trust or foundations grants. The trustees
are extremely grateful to all the individual donors. fundraiser$ and corpcfale supporters who have
enabled the charity to provide so many autlstlc people wtth the support they need to access
employThent and fulfil their pot&ntial.
The charty onty makes grants avaiLable has sufficient funds available to be abb to fund the entire
grant which ensures ils financial stability. When the charity awards a grant. it d9signatgs funds In
relation to the full amount of the grant awarded at the time the grant Is approvad, even though the
grant will generally be paid out at regular intervals over the course of the grant period rather than in
one upfront payTnent. If th8 grant is curtailed for any reason, for example if the beneficiary flnds paid
employment or no longer wishes to continue with the mentoring. any funds designated for that granl
but not usèd will bè reallocat￿ lo thè charitys general funds and bg available lo fund other grants.
The charity keeps designated fijnds to cover the full amount of any grant awarded whlch ensures that
ils obligations lo grant holders can aNYays be met in full. All of the charltys grant administration.
record keeping, data analysSs, fundraising, event organisalion and awareness raising With employer8
and unlversilies Is carrled out by the charity trustees on a pro bono basis.
As thg charity relios largely on INJ￿d￿81 donatlons whlch can be unpredi¢table, based on current
levgls of gxponditure and in order to ensure that the charfly Is able to renew and ¢ontinug making
grants through perKJds where donations are lower, the Iruslees hav8 agreed that appropriate level of
re$eNes should be kept at the level of al least £20,000, to be reviewed al tho end of each financial
year or more frequently if requested by the Treasurer. The charity currently has a higher than usual
level of reserves thal wll enable it lo continue to award new grants and grant extensions wthoul
having to seek new sources of funding for the upcoming financial year, but trustees wll contlnue lo
review the financial situatson on a monthty basis to ensure that the charity can continue to operate
effectively.
Page 14

ALMSM FORWARD
TRUSTEES. REPORT
8. PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
The charty is currently funding specialist one-to￿ne support for around 120 autistic job se8kers to
help them prepare for, find and maintain paid or voluntary employThenl and to improve their social
inclusion, support which they would not otherwse have been able to access. This financial year wg
have supported 184 autistic job seekers, which is our largest ever ¢ohorL We wll continue to gxtend
grants for existing beneficiaries who arg engaging well with support and making progress towards
employment. We are continuing to $eg SU￿$$￿1 outcomgs for our job sgekers across a wde range
of sgclors and ar8 now bging actively sought out by emplo￿r$ to signpost servicey to support arKI
altracl neurodiv8rggnt talgnt.
We work wth specialist menlors covering a wde area of the county and continue to seek out
experienced mentors in new geographical areas. In addition to this, our current mentors all offèr
remote support so that We can support aLrtistic job seeker8 in all areas of England and Wales. This
year we have welcomed tsvo ngw mentor partners to our ne￿ork, Autistic Nottingham and Spectrum
Career Coach. which has further expanded our reach.
Over the last financial year, the Gharity has Gontinued lo grow its ne￿Ork of empbyers who are keen
lo improve inclusion and support for autistic employees. We are delighted to have been nominated
Charity of Ihe Year by the recruiknent consultsn¢y, IDEX Consulting and look lomard to working with
them over the ¢oming year to improve recruitment pro¢edures and neurodiversity inclusion, as well as
helplng them better supwrt neurodNeryent Candidales.
We are also continuing lo expand our connectlons and to work wlth other charllles and to pri>rnote the
work of neurodNergent led groups such as Employment Autlsm, the Legal Neurodiversity Network
and GAIN lo improve Incluslon and employTnent outcomes for aullstl¢ people. We contributed to the
Buckland Rewew of Autlsm Emplo￿nent and we hope that thls kads to real and lasting improvement
in the employThent opportunities for autistic people. We have also been invited to join the new Autism
Employment Ne￿Ork formed by the Autism Centre for Excellence, which aims to bring together
organisations across the UK to drive forward Change and support one another to irnprove employment
opportunities for autistic pèople.
The outcomes and feedback from the 8ullstic job seekers we support demonstrate th8 value of the
specialist support we fund ané we are pbased to see more employers recognising the value of a
neurodwerse workforce and the skllls and different perspectlve that aLrtlstlc eMp￿yeeS bring, as well
as an increase in neurodivergent led support groups both ￿thin and outside the workplace. We are
very proud that 100Vv of the aulislic people we have 8UPPOrted thls financlal year have sald they
would recommend the support we provide to other autlstlc lob seekers and of Ihe em￿0yrnent
out¢omes our cllants have achievad.
Page 15

AUTISM FORWARD
TRUSTEES. REPORT
9. DECLARATION
**IED8ECURELY
27/06/2024
17106120244t 11A2mAII iFrc
The annual report was approved ty the trustees of the charity on .................... and signed on Its
behalf by.
s￿￿eD￿etUReLy
271W2024al 10..41mAM urc
Ms A Leverett
Trustee
SECURELY
11m712024¥t7..25..51 PMUTe
Ms J Pierce
Trustee
SIGN
$ECYRaY
7R024atM•..14pMw
Dr E Gokcen
TTU5tee
SIGNED SECURELY
V3107RD24•t7..20ffj7PII UTC
Ms H Needham
Trustee
Page 16

ALITISM FORWARO
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES
The trustees are resF)onsible for preparing the trustees, report and thg financial statements in
accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (Unitod Kingdom Gonerally A￿epted
Accounting Practi￿) and applicable law and regulations.
The applicable to charibes requires the trustees to prep8re financial statement5 for each financial
year which give a true and fair wew of the stste of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources
and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financrdl statsments, the
trustees are r8quired to:
select suitable accounting polici85 and then apply thom consistenttr.
ob8eNe the melhcrfjs and principle8 in the Charitie$ SORP..
make Judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudenl.
slate whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material
departures disc105ed and explained in the financial statements. ar
prepare the financial statements on the golng concem basls unless11 1$ Inapprop￿$1& to presume
Ihat the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounllng records that dlsclose reasonable
accuracy al any lime the ffinancial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the flnancial
statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicabte Charities (Accounts and Reports)
Regulations, and the provisions of the constitution. The trustee8 are also responsible for safeguardlng
the assets of the charity and hence for tsking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of
fraud and other irregularities.
SP3MED SECURELY
27/06/2024
Z?P)*2DZ4OtID'.42ffj3AMvwe
Approved by the trustees of the charty on .................... and signed on its behalf by.
8IQNED SECURELY
2710W2024*1QAL.*JA+A UT¢
Ms A Leverett
Trustee
DSEeuRELY
IIffjTttQ24It7."11"Ji pfiiiT¢
Ms J Plerce
Trustee
SION
SECiIRELY
D3rn7120244t7'.201lGlbll Lwr
Dr E Gokcen
Trustee
8￿mED SECURELY
OJrn7nQ24ot7..20..f*T PII UTC
Ms H Na8dham
Trust99
Page 17

AUTISM FORWARD
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF AUTISM FORWARD
l ￿pOrt to the trustees on my examination of the financial statemonts of Autism Forward Ilhe charity)
for the year ended 31 March 2024 which Comprise the Statement of Financial Activiti85, th8 Balance
Sheet and related notes, whlch are s8t out on pages 20 to 27.
This report IB made solety to Ihe Charity's trustees, as a body, in aC￿rdance wlth section 145 of the
Charities Act 2011. My work has been undertaken so that I might stale lo the charitys tru5tee5 those
matters l am required to state to them In this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent
permttted by law, I do not accept or assume r&sponsibility to anyone other than the charity and Ihe
charityg trustees as a body. for my work. for this report. or for the opinions I have fomied
Respectfve responslbllltles of trustees and examlnftr
As the trusteas of Autism FoNard you are responsible for the preparatlon of the finarKial ststements
In accoré8nce wllh the requlremants of the Charities Act 2011 {Ihe Act'l.
I report In respect of my 8xamination of the financial staloments of Autism Forward carried out under
section 145 of the Act and in carrwng out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions
given by th& Charity Commission under 5eclion 1451Sllb} of the Act.
An independent examination does not involve gathering all the evidence that woukl be requlred Ir) an
audit and consequentty does not cover all the matters that an auditor considers in giving thelr oplnlon
on the financial statements. The planning and conéuct of an audit goes beyond the limited assurance
that an independent examination can provide. Consequently l express no opinion as to whether the
financial Statements present a knje and fairf w8w and my report Is limf(ed lo those specific matters s8t
out in the independent examinerfs statement.
Independont examlner's stat•m•nt
I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have com8 to my attent6on In
connection wlth the examination glving me ¢au$6 to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of Autism Forward as raquirgd by $gCtion 130 of the
Act: or
2. the accounts do r￿1 accord those records; or
3. the accounts do not compty with the accountirKJ requlrements ¢on¢erning Ihe fO￿n and content of
accounts sel out in the Charities {Accounts ané Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any
requirement that the accounts give a 'true and falr view, which is not a matter Gonsidered as part
of an independent examination.
Page 18

AUTISM FORWARD
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF AUTISM FORWARD
I have no concems and have come across no other matters in ￿nneCtIon with Ihe 8xamination to
which attention should be drawn in this raport in order to enable a proper underslandlng of the
accounts to tse ￿aChed.
Mr N P Smitli
FCCA
21 Navlg8tlon Business Vill4e
Navlgatlon Way
Ashtonwon-Rlbble
Preston
PR2 2YP
Page 19

AUTISM FORWARD
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVThIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 PAARCH 2024
Unrnstrlcted
funds
Total
2024
Not•
In¢omg and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies
Investsnent income
90,319
3,436
90.319
Total income
93,755
93,755
Expondituro on:
Ralslng ￿ndS
Charitable activltle$
Support costs
1779)
(112.042}
1,621
(779)
<112,042)
1.621
Total expenditure
114.442)
{114,442)
Net expendbture
Net movement in funds
{20,687)
(20,6871
120,687)
(20.687)
Reconclllatlon of funds
Total funds brought foFward
152,997
132,310
152.997
Total funds Carried f¢mrd
12
132.310
Unr•strlct•d
funds
Totsl
2023
Not•
Incom• and endowments from:
DOna￿onS and legad8s
Investment ino)me
82,574
82,574
Totsl income
83,422
83,422
Expendlture on:
Raising funds
Charitable aclivilies
Support costs
(250)
1115,187)
1,561
1250)
1115,187)
11.561)
116.998)
Total expenditure
1116,998
133,576)
Net expenditure
133,576)
Net movement in funds
133,576}
133.576)
Reconclllallon of lunds
Tot81 fvnds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
186.573
186,573
152,997
12
152.997
The notes on pages 22 to 27 fom an integral part of these ffinandal statements.
Page 20

AUTISM FORWARD
(REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1171704)
BALANCE SHE￿ AS AT 31 MARCH 2024
2024
2023
Note
Current a880t8
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
10.275
219,420
229.695
13,150
231.851
10
245,001
92.004
Creditors: Amounts falllng due wilhin one year
Net assets
11
97,385)
132,310
152,997
Funds of the charlty:
Unmtrlcted Incomo lunds
Unrestrfcled funds
132,310
132,310
152,997
12
152.997
27/06/2024
27mw2024*10..42..OJAII UT¢
The financial stalernents on pages 20 to 27 were approved by the trustees, and 8ulhorised for issu&
on
. and sign8d on their behalf by.
51614ED SECUPELY
I7￿18120244* lQ42xiJAAI ifT¢
Ms A Leverett
Trustee
eE¢iIIELY
4W712•t4atP.26..51 PNV
Ms J Pierce
Trustee
SECU￿y
93rn7fa024*t7Q•..16PII UTC
Dr E Gokcen
TTUStee
NED SECURELY
QW7I2D2d•t7..X￿pIA U
Ms H Needham
Trustee
The notes on pages 22 to 27 fomi an integral part of thes8 financial ststements.
Page 21

AUTISM FORWARD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
ststemenl of compllan¢•
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance wlth A¢¢ountsng and Reporting by
Charitie5.' Statement of Recommended Practice applicable lo charftles preparing their accounts in
accordance wth the Fina￿la1 Reporting Standard applicabl8 in the UK and Republi¢ of Ireland IFRS
1021 (effective 1 January 2015} - (Charrties SORP IFRS 102)). the Flnanclal Reporting Standard
applicable in th8 UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 1021 and the Charitles Act 2011.
Basls of preparnllon
Autism Forward meets the d&finition of a publiG benefrt entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities ar8
initialty reoognisod at historical cost or tran$a¢lion value unl8SS Othe¢wise stated in tho relevant
accounting policy notes.
The financial statements have been prepared to give a Irue and fairf view and have departed from the
Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only lo the exlenl required to provlde 8 Irue and
faiV view. This departure h85 involved following Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their
accounts in accordance wth the Financial Rewrting Standard applicable in the UK and Republlc of
Ireland (FRS 1021 issued on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Rgporting by Charities:
ststement of a Recommended Practice effgctive from 1 N)ri12005 which has since been wthdrawn.
Going concgrn
The trustees consider that tF*re are no matsrial uncertalntl8s about the charity$ ability lo continue a9
a going concern.
Incorne and endowments
Voluntsry irbcome Inc￿dIng ¢knalions. gifts. legacie5 and grants Ihat provlde ￿re fundlng or arg of a
goneral nalurg Is recognlsed when the charity hes entitlgment to the income. 11 Is probable that the
ino)mo will bo rèc8ivgd and the amount can t* measured Yrfth 5uffiuent reliability.
Donations and legacies
Donations and legacies are recognised on a receivable basis when receipt is probable and the
amount can be reliabty measured.
Glft Old
Grft AMY rec6lvable Is Included in incom8 vthen Ih8re is a valkl dedaration from the donor. Any Gfft Ald
amount recovered on 8 donalton is considergd to be part of that gift an(i is Ireated as an addition to
the same fund as the intli81 dr)nation unless the donor or the temis of the appeal have specified
otherwis8.
Inv•slment income
Income from Interest. royalbes and dividends are included In the O¢c￿nts receipt is prob8b
and the amount received can be measured reli8bty.
Page 22

AUTISM FORWARD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Expenditure and Ilablities
Grant upondfturo
Grants are recognised In the financial ststements as liabilitlgs afler they have been approved by th8
trustees, the recipients have been notified and there are no furth8r tèrms and con￿￿On8 to be fulfillgd
within the control of the charity. In these circumstsncgs there is a valid expectatlon by the recipients
that they wll re¢elve the granL
Li•bility r•co9nltion
Liabilities are recognlsed vthe￿ it Is more likely than not that there is a legal or constru¢Uve obligalion
committing the charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation Gan be measured with
raasonable certainty.
Support costs
Supwrt costs have been allocated between govemance costs and other Support. Governance costs
comprise all costs invofvlng public acGountabilty of the charty and its cornpliance with regulation and
gocAI practice.
Creditors
Th8 charrty ha$ creditors thich are measured at setuement arnounts tess any trade dl$counts.
Pmvlsk)ns lorllablltles
A liability is measured on re¢ognition at its hislori¢al cosl and then subsequently measured at the tesl
estimate of the amounl requlred to Settie the oblig8tlon at the reporting date.
Flnan¢ial instruments
The charity acGounts for baslc financial Instruments on initial rewgnition as per paragraph 10.7 FRS
102 SORP. Subsequent measuremenl is as paragraphs 11.17 to 11.19, FRS 102 SORP.
Fund slructurg
Unrestricted in¢ome funds are general funds that are avaiLable for use al the trustee$'s dlscretion in
rtheranGe of the objectlves of the L*arity.
Dobtors
Debtors are measured on initial recognition at settlement 8mounl after any trade dlscounts or amount
advanced by th9 charity. Subsequentty, théy are measured at the cash or other consideratlon
expected to be rgcgivod.
Glft Ald receivable is recorded as accrued incc*ne at the reporling date.
Page 23

AUTISM FORWARD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
2 INCOME FROM DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
Unre$trlct•d
funds
G•noral
Total
funds
Donatlons and legacles;
Appeals and donations
Grft redaimod
78,895
11.424
78,895
11,424
Total for 2024
90,319
go,319
Total for 2023
82,574
82,574
3 INVESTMENT INCOME
UnroStrlct•d
funds
General
Totsl
funds
Interest receivable and similar income.,
Interest rgceivable on bank deposits
Total for 2024
3,436
3,436
3.436
3,436
Total for 2023
4 EXPENDrruRE ON RAISING FUNDS
A) COSTS OF GENERATING DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
Unr•strlcl8d
funds
General
Totsl
funds
Donations
779
779
Totsl for 2024
779
779
Total for 2023
250
250
Page 24

AUTISM FORWARD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
5 EXPENDrruRE ON CHARITABLE ACTMTIES
Unrgstrlcted
funds
G•neral
Total
fund$
Grant funding of a¢tivities
112,042
112.042
Total for 2023
115.187
115.187
6 SUPPORT COSTS
Unrestrlctgd
funds
General
Total
funds
Nots
Independent examiner fees
Examination of th8 financial stalements
Marketing and publicity
Administrative expenses
1.280
117
244
1,260
117
244
Totsl for 2024
1,621
1,621
Total for 2023
1.561
1,561
7 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REMUNERATION
2024
2023
Examination of the financlal statements
1260
8 TAXATION
Th8 thadty is a reglstsred charity a￿118 therefore exempt from tsxation.
9 DEBTORS
2024
2023
Accrued In¢ome
10.275
13.150
10 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
2024
2023
Cash at bank
219,420
231,851
Page 25

AUTISM FORWARD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
11 CREDITORS: Amoupifs FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2024
2023
Olhor crèditors
Accruals
96.125
1,260
97.385
90,744
1,280
92,004
12 FUNDS
Balance at 1
April 2023
Incomlng
resoure8s
R•sour¢•s
•XPond•d
Balan¢? at 31
March 2024
Unre8tricted funds
General
152,997
93,755
1114,4421
132,310
BalanGg at 1
ApTII 2022
Incomlng
resources
Resources
expended
Balan¢0 at 31
March 2023
Unr•8tricted funds
General
186,573
83,422
116.998)
152,997
Page 26

AUTISM FORWARD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
13 ANALYSIS OF NEf ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
Unrostrlcted
lunds
General
Total funds
at 31 March
2024
Current as5et$
Current liabilitios
229,695
97,385
132,310
229,695
97,385
Total net a8sets
132,310
Unrestrlcted
funds
Goneral
Tolal funds
•131 March
2023
Current assels
Current liabilities
245,¢J01
92.004
245.001
92,004
Total net a8sets
152,997
152,997
Page 27

AUTISM FORWARD
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES BY FUND FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Total
Total
Unrestrlcted Unrestrlcled
Funds
Fundi
2024
2023
Income and Endowments from:
Donadons and legades
Investment ir￿rne
90,319
3,436
82,574
Total ￿cOMe
93,755
83.422
Expendlture on:
Raising funds
Charltsble actmiles
Other experKliture
Total expervjilure
Net expenditure
Net movement in funds
(7791
12501
(112,0421 (115,1871
{1,621
{1,561
(114.442
1116,9981
{20,687
(33,576
{20,687}
(33,576)
Reconclllatlon of funds
Total funds brought forward
152,997
186,573
Total fund$ carried forward
132.310
152.997
This page does not fomi part of the ststulory financial stst8ments.
Page 28