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← The South Yorkshire Sexual Violence Partnerhip

2025-03-31-accounts

Registered Charity No: 1173283

THE SOUTH YORKSHIRE SEXUAL VIOLENCE PARTNERSHIP

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

THE SOUTH YORKSHIRE SEXUAL VIOLENCE PARTNERSHIP REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

CONTENTS

Page
Legal and Administrative Information 3
Trustees’Report 4-8
Independent Examiner’s Report 9
Statement of Financial Activities 10
Balance Sheet 11
Statement of Cash Flows 12
Notes to the Financial Statements 13-15

Page 2

THE SOUTH YORKSHIRE SEXUAL VIOLENCE PARTNERSHIP LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Full Name:
 THE SOUTH YORKSHIRE SEXUAL VIOLENCE PARTNERSHIP
Registered Charity
Number: 1173283
Principal Address: PO Box 775
Barnsley
S70 9PL
Trustees: K Atkinson
J Baker– appointed 19/09/2024
C A Cooper -resigned 13/10/2025
K Firth-resigned 31/08/2024
R Kennedy
W D Peake
F R Stephenson
A Tatlow
D E Thomas_– appointed 22/07/2024 _
J A Waters_– appointed 11/12/2025_
Acting Chair: K Atkinson
Treasurer: W D Peake
Bankers: The Cooperative Bank
Business Direct Plus
P O Box 250
Skelmersdale
WN8 6WT
Independent Examiner: Angela Hayes
Community Accountant
22 Brocklehurst Avenue
Barnsley
S70 3EE

Page 3

THE SOUTH YORKSHIRE SEXUAL VIOLENCE PARTNERSHIP

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The Trustees present their report and accounts for the period 01 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

Structure, governance and management

The South Yorkshire Sexual Violence Partnership (SYSVP) is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), registered with the Charity Commission (Charity Number 1173283) and governed by its constitution (CIO Foundation), registered 05 June 2017.

The members of the CIO are the charity trustees. Membership of the CIO cannot be transferred to anyone else. If the CIO is wound up, the liability of each member to contribute to the assets of the company is limited to a sum not exceeding £1.

The affairs of the charity are managed by the trustees, who may exercise all the powers of the CIO. During this financial year, the Trustees delegated the day-to-day management of the charity to Meera Kulkarni, Contract Manager for SYSVP and Chief Executive Officer of Sheffield Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre. From April 2025, Contract Management transferred to the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer of Barnsley Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Services (BSARCS)

The trustees who served during the year, to the date of the signing of this report, are listed on page 3.

Appointment of Trustees

In accordance with the terms of the constitution, there must be a minimum of three charity trustees. If the number falls below this minimum, the remaining trustees can act only to call a meeting of the trustees or appoint a new trustee. Every trustee is appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment, the trustees have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.

Each new trustee is given a copy of the constitution and the latest trustee’s annual report and accounts, on or before appointment.

Risk Management

The trustees are responsible for identifying and managing risk. The trustees examine the major risks that the charity faces and put into operation systems so that necessary steps can be taken to lessen those risks. A risk management policy is in place, with a risk register that is updated on a monthly basis.

Charitable aims and objectives

The objects of the charity are:

The promotion of the efficiency and effectiveness of charities and the promotion of the effective use of charitable resources for the public benefit, by providing support to charities and not for profit organisations operating in South Yorkshire and beyond which are established to relieve the mental and physical distress of people who have experienced sexual violence at any time in their lives.

Page 4

THE SOUTH YORKSHIRE SEXUAL VIOLENCE PARTNERSHIP

TRUSTEES’ REPORT continued YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Activities undertaken for the public benefit

In shaping the objectives for the year, the trustees have paid due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.

The South Yorkshire Sexual Violence Partnership (SYSVP) was established on the 5th June 2017, initially to deliver a contract from the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner to provide a unified Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) Service across the whole of South Yorkshire. This service is provided by four independent and separate existing organisations:

The SYSVP Board of Trustees consists of two trustee members from each organisation. The following trustees hold formal roles on the Board:

Chair: Kirsten Atkinson (DRASACS)

Treasurer: Wendy Peake (RothACS)

The ISVAs and Children’s ISVAs (CHISVAs) based in the four organisations provide practical and emotional support for adults and children who report current or historical sexual offences. The support offered includes:

The support offered to clients is underpinned by a range of well-established services provided within each of the four organisations.

Achievements during the period

The partnership continued to deliver a high quality Independent Sexual Violence Advocacy (ISVA) service throughout South Yorkshire, providing support and advocacy for adults and children who have experienced sexual harm.

The Board is proud to confirm that, in October 2024, the service delivered by SYSVP was independently assessed against the quality standards for ISVA services and achieved full accreditation. This is extremely important to us as, not only is it a requirement of our ISVA service commissioning but it is a clear indicator to stakeholders, including survivors considering reporting their experience, of the high standard of service we offer.

The people we supported

In the year ending March 2025, the South Yorkshire Sexual Violence Partnership provided ISVA support to 2,291 victim survivors in South Yorkshire, a 31% increase on the number of people reported to our commissioner the year prior.

Page 5

THE SOUTH YORKSHIRE SEXUAL VIOLENCE PARTNERSHIP

TRUSTEES’ REPORT continued

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The majority of people we worked with had experienced sexual harm perpetrated by someone known to them, a partner or ex-partner, a close relative or friend/ acquaintance; only 7% of victims had experienced sexual harm perpetrated by a stranger.

33% of the individuals supported were children, (aged 0-17 years), and the remainder were adults; 87% of our clients in the year were women and 11.6% were male, less than 1% identified as non-binary and 6 individuals did not confirm their gender.

The South Yorkshire ISVA service received referrals for 1,672 individuals in 2024/25, which is comparable with the year prior. 64% of referrals were received from South Yorkshire Police, around 11% were made by the South Yorkshire Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC) and 8.6% were self-referrals (where a victim/ survivor has sought support directly); the remainder of referrals were made to the ISVA service by other providers, including social care, education providers, statutory health services and victim services.

Of the 1,672 individuals referred, 1,105 accepted support (around 66%).

ISVA support completed for 809 individuals in the year; 77.6% of those successfully (by which we mean clients exited our service in a planned manner).

The challenges we faced

It is widely acknowledged that the criminal justice processes are protracted, taking significantly longer to reach a conclusion with many victims facing delays in decision-making and adjourned Court hearings. This has had a tangible impact on the length of time ISVA support is available to victims and the demand on our team, and it has affected the number of people requiring support at any one time.

In 2024/25 the average length of support (to successful conclusion) was 534 days, compared with 460 days the previous year, and average caseloads across the partnership increased by around 8% (from 54 in 2023/24 to 59 in 24/25) with one partner reporting average caseloads of 75 across the year.

Furthermore, the information we hold about the vulnerabilities of our clients, and associated risks, increased this year when compared to the previous data held for 2023/24. The proportion of service users who had experienced repeat victimisation and/ or domestic abuse, had experienced significantly poor mental health leading to self-injury and/ or suicidal ideation, had a learning difficulty, physical disability or mental health condition had all increased across the partnership.

In response to the increased pressures on the service and reduced capacity, as a result of longterm sickness absence, the partnership implemented a waiting list towards the end of the year.

The partnership acknowledges that increases in demand and complexities in need are likely to mean that waiting lists are more prevalent across the region unless the commissioned service is able to attract additional funding. However, in order to ensure that the service is able to meet the needs of more victims in a timely manner, the partnership has undertaken a review of the service delivery model to maximise the resources available.

Page 6

THE SOUTH YORKSHIRE SEXUAL VIOLENCE PARTNERSHIP

TRUSTEES’ REPORT continued YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Future plans

Following a request from the SRASAC to relinquish the role of contract lead in the partnership, the responsibility for contract management transferred to BSARCS from April 2025.

With all partners committed to continuing to deliver a high quality, effective and efficient ISVA service across South Yorkshire, the partnership is pleased to have received an extension of funding for a 12-month period to March 2026. However, the issue of sustainable long-term funding continues to present challenges and, at the time of finalising these accounts, although SYMCA have indicated an intention of extending commissioning of the ISVA service into 2026/27, this has not yet been formalised.

The Charity’s policy on reserves

The trustees have considered the level of reserves required by the charity and have decided that holding a general reserve at a set level is unnecessary at this time, due to the nature of the charity’s operations a nd its current funding structure. Contract income is spent in the financial year to which it relates and the charity does not commit to any expenditure in advance of receiving funds. Financial risk and liabilities are considered to be minimal.

At the year end, the actual level of reserves stands at £8,986. (2024: £29,304).

Related parties

The South Yorkshire Sexual Violence Partnership is made up of members from each of the following organisations:

The partner organisations each have members on the Board of Trustees of SYSVP. The trustees consider that there are no other related parties to the charity.

Trustees responsibilities for the financial statements

Law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity’s financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing financial statements giving a true and fair view, the trustees should follow best practice and:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and applicable accounting standards. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Page 7

THE SOUTH YORKSHIRE SEXUAL VIOLENCE PARTNERSHIP

TRUSTEES’ REPORT continued YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Financial position

The financial statements are set out in pages 10 to 15. The Statement of Financial Activities shows income for the year of £965,152 (2024: £970,248). Total expenditure during the year was £985,470 (2024: £966,452) leaving a deficit for the year of £20,318 (2024: a surplus of £3,796).

Full details of income and expenditure are provided on page 14 of this report.

Total reserves at the year end, represented by unrestricted funds, were ££8,986 (2024: £29,304).

Events after the end of the reporting period

In November 2025, SRASAC gave notice of their wish to withdraw from the partnership. Their withdrawal was accepted at a Board meeting on the 12[th] of December 2025 and, at the same meeting, the remaining partners confirmed their commitment to the partnership. SYSVP will, from the point of SRASAC’s withdrawal, continue as a triumvirate.

The trustees declare that they have approved the report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:

Signed:

Date: 23 January 2026

K Atkinson, Chair

Page 8

THE SOUTH YORKSHIRE SEXUAL VIOLENCE PARTNERSHIP

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

I report on the accounts of the charity, which are set out on pages 10 to 15.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 in this financial year. I am qualified to undertake the examination, being a Fellow Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians.

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

I have no concerns and I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed: Date: 23 January 2026

Angela Hayes, FMAAT Community Accountant 22 Brocklehurst Avenue, Barnsley, S70 3EE

Angela Hayes is licensed and regulated by

AAT under licence number 1006755

Page 9

THE SOUTH YORKSHIRE SEXUAL VIOLENCE PARTNERSHIP

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Note
Income
Income from charitable activities
2
Total income
Expenditure
Expenditure on charitable activities
3
Total expenditure
Net income/(expenditure) for the year
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
965,152
965,152
985,470
985,470
(20,318)
29,304
8,986		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 2025
Total
Funds
£
965,152
965,152
985,470
985,470
(20,318)
29,304
8,986		 __
2024
Total
Funds
£
970,248
970,248
966,452
966,452
3,796
25,508
29,304

The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All prior year income and expenditure was unrestricted funds.

Page 10

THE SOUTH YORKSHIRE SEXUAL VIOLENCE PARTNERSHIP

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2025

__

Note
Current assets
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
Total current assets
Current liabilities
Creditors
amounts falling due within one year
4
Net current assets
Net assets
Funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Total funds		 2025
2024
£
£
£
£
-
-
9,786
166,819
9,786
166,819
(800)
(137,515)
(800)
(137,515)
8,986
29,304
8,986
29,304
8,986
29,304
-
-
8,986
29,304		 2025
2024
£
£
£
£
-
-
9,786
166,819
9,786
166,819
(800)
(137,515)
(800)
(137,515)
8,986
29,304
8,986
29,304
8,986
29,304
-
-
8,986
29,304
29,304
29,304
-
29,304

The trustees declare that they have approved the accounts above. Signed on behalf of the charity ’s trustees:

Signed: Date: 23 January 2026

K Atkinson, Chair

Page 11

THE SOUTH YORKSHIRE SEXUAL VIOLENCE PARTNERSHIP

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

__

Cash flows from operating activities:
Adjustments for:
(increase)/decrease in debtors
increase/(decrease) in creditors
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Cash in hand and at bank
Notice deposits
Total cash and cash equivalents
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the
reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting
period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting
period
Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period
(as per the Statement of Financial Activities)		 Total
Funds
2025
£
(20,318)
-
(136,715)
(157,033)
-
-
(157,033)
166,819
9,786
9,786
-
9,786		 Prior Year
Funds
2024
£
3,796
115,812
(108,907)
10,701
-
-
10,701
156,118
166,819
166,819
-
166,819

Page 12

THE SOUTH YORKSHIRE SEXUAL VIOLENCE PARTNERSHIP

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1. Accounting policies

Basis of the preparation of the accounts

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities - Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of – Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019) (Charities SORP (FRS102)).

The financial statements are prepared in pounds sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest pound.

The South Yorkshire Sexual Violence Partnership meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value, unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

Going Concern note

Since registration with the Charity Commission, SYSVP has been funded by a contract from the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner. The current contract expired on 31 March 2025, but included an option to extend for a further four years. At the date of signing of the accounts, an extension of the contract for a further 12 months has been agreed but the trustees are awaiting confirmation of funding beyond March 2026. The lack of confirmation of funding is a concern, but the charity holds a small reserve to cover costs in the event of closure, and has adequate resources to meet liabilities as they fall due. In discussions with the trustees, the funder has indicated an intention of extending commissioning of the contract into 2026/27. The trustees therefore consider it appropriate to continue to prepare the accounts on a going concern basis.

Incoming recognition

All incoming resources have been included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is entitled to the income, when any performance conditions attached are met, when it is probable that the income will be received and when the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure recognition

All expenditure is included on an accruals basis and is recognised as a liability is incurred. The charity is not registered for VAT and accordingly resources expended are shown gross of irrecoverable VAT. Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable that the settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Taxation

The South Yorkshire Sexual Violence Partnership is a registered charity and is exempt from UK corporation tax on income from its charitable activities.

Funds Structure

The charity maintains a general unrestricted fund which represents funds which are expendable at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity.

Restricted funds may be provided to the charity for particular purposes and may only be spent for the purposes for which they were given. Any balance remaining outstanding on a restricted fund at the end of the year is carried forward as a balance on that fund, unless permission has been given by the funder to remove the restriction on the balance outstanding.

Page 13

THE SOUTH YORKSHIRE SEXUAL VIOLENCE PARTNERSHIP

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

2. Income from Charitable Activities

ISVA Contract (PCC)
Sheffield University
TOTAL		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
965,152
-
965,152		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-		 2025
2024
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
£
£
965,152
965,152
-
5,096
965,152
970,248

3. Expenditure on Charitable Activities

Direct cost of charitable activities:
ISVA Service - Barnsley
ISVA Service - Doncaster
ISVA Service - Rotherham
ISVA Service - Sheffield
Quality Standards Reaccreditation
Support Costs:
Audit & Accountancy Fees
Admin & IT
Miscellaneous & Other Expenses
Total		 Unrestricted

Funds
£
185,787
225,399
220,151
343,264
9,600
984,201
800
435
34
1,269
985,470		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 2025
2024
Total
Total
Funds
Funds
£
£
185,787
159,072
225,399
188,784
220,151
277,836
343,264
339,264
9,600
-
984,201
964,956
800
1,461
435
35
34
-
1,269
1,496
985,470
966,452

All prior year expenditure is unrestricted funds.

Page 14

THE SOUTH YORKSHIRE SEXUAL VIOLENCE PARTNERSHIP

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

4. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors - amounts due to partner organisations
Audit & Accountancy fees		 2025
£
-
800
800		 2024
£
132,554
4,961
137,515

5. Trustee payments, benefits and expenses

There were no payments, remuneration or benefits made to trustees during this or the previous financial period.

6. Related party transactions

Payments to the individual partner organisation are detailed in note 3, page 14 of this report.

There were no other related party transactions during this or the previous financial period.

7. Audit and Accountancy fees

The cost of the Independent Examination and accountancy services, provided by Angela Hayes, Community Accountant, was £800 (2024:725).

Page 15