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2023-04-04-accounts

I

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From Period start date: 05/04/2022 To Period end date: 04/04/2023

Charity name: SEN Family Saturdays

Charity registration number: 1182095

Objectives and Activities

SORP reference
Summary of the
purposes of the charity
as set out in its
governing document		 Para 1.17 1- To advance in life and relieve the needs of
children and young people with special educational
needs (SEN) through:
(a) The provision of recreational and leisure time
activities provided in the interest of social welfare,
designed to improve their conditions of life;
(b) Providing support and activities which develop
their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable
them to participate in society;
(c) The provision of support to parents of children
with SEN, by providing information, advice and
guidance throughout diagnosis.
2 - To advance the education of the general public in
the causes, treatment and care of those with SEN,
by providing the provision of educational workshops,
events and presentations.
Summary of the main
activities in relation to
those purposes for the
public benefit, in
particular, the activities,
projects or services
identified in the
accounts.		 Para 1.17 and
1.19		 Service we provide:
SEN Family Saturdays has run weeklySaturday
sessions from 10.30 to 2pmat Hornsey Road
Children's Centre. The place offers an accessible
and inclusive environment. Parents and children
enjoy planned programme activities with resources
and facilities to aid creativity and sensory needs of
autistic children. Attending the group allows children
to socialise, explore and learn in a safe and
understandingenvironment.
The children are engaged in avariety of different
activitieseach week (photos of which can be seen
on our social media), followed by soft play and lunch
together. Once a month we have had aspecial
activity, either an outing, workshop or entertainer
such as bubble entertainer, children’s yoga, trip to
London Zoo and trips to theatre and museums. We
employ trained, experienced staff to meet the
children’s needs and manage challenging situations.
Theworkshopswe held were delivered by a
specialist Occupational Therapist on topics such as
toileting, sleep, communication and behaviour
management. As well as a general overview of What
is Autism for the public, including extended family
and friends.
Having a child with a disability can have a huge
impact on the stability of family life, as well as the
health, well-being and emotional state of all family
members.
Our work supports families who are facing complex
needs and helps them to overcome barriers of social
inclusion. We are supporting parents' knowledge
and confidence to use strategies, visuals and
analysing a child's behaviour, so they feel more able
to cope in challenging situations.
Our parent led charity has developed a whole family
approach inclusive of older and younger siblings.
SEN Family Saturdays encourages positive
child-parent relationships and ultimately builds
resilient families.
During this financial period SEN Family Saturdays
worked with 98 beneficiaries, who were taking part
in the sessions at different rates of attendance and
degree of continuity.
Statement confirming
whether the trustees
have had regard to the
guidance issued by the
Charity Commission on
public benefit		 Para 1.18 Yes - Workshopsthat we organised have been
delivered by a specialist occupational therapist on
topics such as toileting, sleep, sensory processing,
healthy eating, communication and behaviour
management. As well as a general overview of What
is Autism for the wider public as well as extended
family and friends. Flyers for the workshops were
posted on our social media platforms and given to
SENCOs and children's centres in the local area.

Additional information (optional)

Policy on grant making Para 1.38 All fundraising and grant applications undertaken on
behalf of SEN Family Saturdays will be done in the name
of the organisation and will generally be based on
recoveryof the full cost of theproposed work.
Policy on social
investment including
program related
investment		 Para 1.38 Not applicable
Contribution made by
volunteers		 Para 1.38 The management and admin of the charity is done
entirely by the trustees. All trustees dedicate a lot of their
time for free to support and manage the group on
saturdays. Trustees also manage an online 24/7 parent
support group (in the form of WhatsApp) for families that
both currently attend at the centre on Saturdays and
parents that no longer attend in person but still require
support for strategies and signposting to services in the
local area. The trustees are covering the costs of running
admin duties from home as well as donating their time to
the accountancy and fundraising for the charity.
Items on occasion are purchased and donated to the
charity by the trustees.

Achievements and Performance

Summary of the main
achievements of the
charity, identifying the
difference the charity’s
work has made to the
circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any
wider benefits to
society as a whole.		 Para 1.20 Our project brings people together and builds strong
relationships in and across the community. We did this
through:
•
Improving relationships thereby supporting parents
and children to spend time together, this
environment also enables people to make new
friends and establish networks between the
families;
•
Improving enjoyment of life for parents and
children through the provision of recreational
activities they could not normally access;
•
Making people better connected by supporting
parents to feel more confident and better able to

Additional information (optional)

Achievements against
objectives set		 Para 1.41 Our achievements include:
98 people directly benefited from our organisation’s work -
38 adults, 60 children (of which 53 children have ASC
diagnosis, ADHD, Down Syndrome or are on the Social
Communication Team waiting list).
Providing weekly support, craft and sensory activities for
the children which helped developed their skills
Provided weekly group lunch which increased the variety
of food in the children’s diet
Provided continuous support to parents during sessions
and on a daily basis though our group chat. We were able
to offer strategies based on our experience and sign post
them on to further help
Provided home visits from an Occupation Therapist to
tackle sensory needs, self-care needs, behavioural issues
etc.
Provided continuous support to parents on a daily basis
though our group chat managed by the trustees. We were
able to offer strategies based on our experience and
sign-post to local services for further help.
We hosted a number of educational workshops for
families.
Performance of
fundraising activities
against objectives set		 Para 1.41 We brought forward £6,774.92 from the previous financial
year which were unspent. We raised an additional
£20,091.86.
Investment
performance against
objectives		 Para 1.41 Not applicable

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s
financial position at the
end of the period		 Para 1.21 We brought forward £6,774.92 from the previous financial
year which were unspent. We raised an additional
£20,091.86, we spent £18,729.96 and at the end of the
financial year we had a surplus of £8,642.45.
Statement explaining
the policy for holding
reserves stating why
they are held		 Para 1.22 The trustees will consider the level of reserves that is
prudent for SEN Family Saturdays to have when agreeing
the annual budget. Consideration will be given to future
strategy, potential redundancy liabilities, and any other
significant factors that should be taken into account. The
specific reserves policy including any designation of
reserves for specific purposes will be agreed by trustees
on an annual basis.
Amount of reserves
held		 Para 1.22 None
Reasons for holding
zero reserves		 Para 1.22 The trustees will endeavour not to set aside funds
unnecessarily. When the need arrives the trustees will
consider the level of reserves they wish to retain,
appropriate to the charity's needs, based on the charity's
size and the level of financial commitments held.
Details of fund
materially in deficit		 Para 1.24 None

Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a
going concern		 Para 1.23 None

Additional information (optional)

The charity’s principal
sources of funds
(including any
fundraising)		 Para 1.47 Islington Giving main grant and Islington Council’s
Community Chest and funding brought forward from the
previous financial year.
Investment policy and
objectives including
any social investment
policy adopted		 Para 1.46 Not applicable
A description of the
principal risks facing
the charity		 Para 1.46 The needs of the children in the community outway the
service we are currently able to provide and it is difficult to
source suitable venues to accommodate the specific
requirements of the children with special needs.
Finding volunteers that have the experience and
knowledge to help manage the day to day running of the
charity and raise sufficient funding.
Structure, Governance and Management
Description of charity’s
trusts:
Type of governing
document		 Para 1.25 The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation
registered with the Charity Commission of England and
Wales. The charity was established by Its constitution
dated 10th December 2018.
How is the charity
constituted?		 Para 1.25 Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Trustee selection
methods including
details of any
constitutional
provisions		 Para 1.25 The CIO may, if the charity trustees so decide, allow the
members to vote by post or electronic mail (“email”) to
elect charity trustees or to make a decision on any matter
that is being decided at a general meeting of the
members.

Additional information (optional)

Policies and
procedures adopted for
the induction and
training of trustees		 Para 1.51 Laetitia Khenchelaoui was appointed on the 07/01/2023
and she was given an induction to the charity and venue
for the saturday sessions. She had some training but also
carried out additional training such as Designated
SafeguardingLead training.
The charity’s
organisational structure
and any wider network
with which the charity
works		 Para 1.51 The charity is working with Bright Start, Pauline Foster
(Lead Area Senco) and Orit Roditti (Occupational
Therapist). We continued to collaborate with Ruth
Solomon from Hand and Sky project to provide families
with a block of well-being sessions. The charity also
collaborated with the British Library inviting families to
events with free tickets.
Relationship with any
related parties		 Para 1.51 Not applicable

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name SEN Family Saturdays
Other name the charity uses -
Registered charity number 1182095
Charity’s principal address 36 Berkeley Walk
Andover Estate
London
N7 7RS

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1
2
3
4
5		 Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not
for whole year		 Name of person (or body)
entitled to appoint trustee (if
any)
Margarita Georgieva Chair
Maria Paladini Treasurer
Helena Begum Majid Secretary
Laetitia Khenchelaoui Trustee Appointed on
07/01/2023

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets
held in this capacity		 No assets held on behalf of others
Name and objects of the
charity on whose behalf the
assets are held and how this
falls within the custodian
charity’s objects		 Not applicable
Details of arrangements for
safe custody and
segregation of such assets
from the charity’s own assets		 Not applicable

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Not Applicable

CC16a Charity Name

SEN Family Saturdays
 Charity Name

SEN Family Saturdays
 Charity Name

SEN Family Saturdays
 Charity Name

SEN Family Saturdays
 No (if any)
1182095
Receipts and payments accounts
For the period
from		 Period start date
5/4/2022		 To Period end date
4/4/2023
Section A Receipts and payments
A1 Receipts Unrestricted
funds
to the nearest £		 Restricted funds
to the nearest £		 Total funds
to the nearest £		 Last year
to the nearest £
Islington Giving 19,900 -
-
-
-
-		 19,900 5,000
Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) 170 170 -
- - -
Online fundraising
(Amazon & Giveasyoulive)		 22 22 19
Other - refunds 506 506 150
A3 Payments
Sub total
Total receipts
(Gross income for AR)		 20,597 - 20,597 5,169
20,597 - 20,597 5,169
Staff 12,389 -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 12,389 13,814
Premises Hire 350 350 780
Lunch 2,216 2,216 2,590
Other Lunch time supplies 146 146 74
Craft activity supplies 332 332 804
Sensory Equipment 465 465 496
Cleaning supplies 33 33 14
Management / Admin Supplies 719 719 174
Training costs for volunteers & staff 190 190 59
Audit - - -
Activity / workshop in the setting 890 890 460
Workshop snacks - - -
Outings - entry 370 370 70
Outings - travel - - -
Insurance 181 181 312
Software lices and subscriptios 450 450 213
COVID-19 Relief & sensory toys - - 206
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
Sub total		 18,730 - 18,730 20,066
- -
-		 - -
- - -
Sub total - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end
A5 Transfers between funds
Total payments
Net of receipts/(payments)
Cash funds this year end
18,730 - 18,730 20,066
1,868 - 1,868 -
14,897
- -
-
-		 - -
6,775 8,642
6,775		 21,672
8,642 6,775
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Categories
B1 Cash funds		 Details Unrestricted
funds
to nearest £		 Restricted funds
to nearest £
8,642 -
Signed by one or two trustees on behalf
of all the trustees
B5 Liabilities		 Outings - travel (invoice not received yet)
Total cash funds
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Details
Signature		 8,642 -
OK OK
Fund to which liability
relates		 Amount due
(optional)
450 -
Print Name Date of approval
Mrs Maria Paladini 14/12/2024
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total - - - -
Total payments 18,730 - 18,730 20,066
Net of receipts/(payments) 1,868 - 1,868 - 14,897
A5 Transfers between funds - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 6,775 - 6,775 21,672
Cash funds this year end 8,642 - 8,642 6,775

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Unrestricted Restricted funds
Categories Details funds
to nearest £ to nearest £
B1 Cash funds 8,642 -
Total cash funds 8,642 -
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s)) OK OK
Fund to which liability Amount due
Details relates (optional)
B5 Liabilities Outings - travel (invoice not received yet) 450 -
Signed by one or two trustees on behalf
of all the trustees		 Signature Print Name Date of approval
Mrs Maria Paladini 14/12/2024

A brief origin story

Family Action (FA) used to provide Saturday sessions for families on low income. This was then aimed at families with children with Special Educational Needs ( SEN ). After five years management costs were too high and FA were unable to secure funding so the services stopped.

keeping the service active and were motivated by Family Action to form their own charity. In September 2018 three parents set about establishing a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) called SEN Family Saturdays.

Voluntary Action Islington (VAI) helped the trustees form a business plan, informed them of possible funders, supplied policy templates and helped us register with the Charity commission. Cripplegate Foundation were able to help us secure the initial seed funding from Islington Giving which allowed us to start supporting families.

Our Progress

Idea for the charity was born in September 2018 and by February 2019 we were a registered CIO with the Charity 01. Commission with all of our policies set up thanks to the support we received from VAI

  1. families which we achieved. We raised sufficient funding and established ourselves across several social media platforms within a few months

  2. Thanks to Manor Gardens and Bright Start we had access to more space at our venue which meant we could support more families.

Our future aims include setting up a further 04. group to cater for older children with ASC aged 7 – 14, organize more workshops, increase the number of trustees and staff

Our Team

SEN Family Saturdays is run voluntarily by four trustees. We are a parent led charity all with Autistic children of our own. It is this personal connection that allows us to commit so strongly to the cause of improving the lives of other families in difficult circumstances. We collectively have a vast amount of personal experience on the subject and have all attended several workshops relating to Autism (What is Autism?, behaviour management, toileting, communication, Sensory Processing, Eating etc) and a 14 week Early Birds program organised by the NHS Social Communication Team (SCT) as well as attending Speech & Language therapy and Play and Learn program.

Maria Treasurer Emergency First Aid at Work Level 3 Designated Safeguarding Lead Food Hygiene & Safety for catering Level 2 Understanding Play course Supporting children in Foundation Stage EYP Diploma Level 2 Making sense of autism Training

Margarita Chair Bright Start Parent Champion Safeguarding Group 1 Early Years Education and Care (QCF) Level 2 Member of Islington SEND parent parliament

Laetitia

Helena

Trustee

Secretary Bright Start Parent Champion Designated Safeguarding Lead Food Hygiene & Safety for catering Level 2 SEND Awareness Training Supporting children in Foundation Stage

Designated Safeguarding Lead Food Hygiene Level 2 Paediatric First Aid Understanding Autism Level 2 PGCE in Languages Qualified Teacher Status BA in Applied Languages Working with Children in Early Years Level 2

Our Staff

----- Start of picture text -----
Karthika
Meheret
Fatima I Fatima B
Revathi Asmahan
Laila
Sabrie
----- End of picture text -----

We employ trained, experienced staff to meet the children’s needs and manage daily challenging situations.

What we provide

We run sessions on Saturday mornings at Hornsey Road Children's Centre from 10:30 to 2pm, with resources and facilities to aid creativity and meet the sensory needs of autistic children allowing them the opportunity to socialise, explore and learn in a safe and understanding environment.

children aged 0-7 with Autism Spectrum Disorder/Condition ( ASD/C ) living in Islington .

We aim to reduce isolation and increase the levels of support for them by signposting parents/carers to the relevant Islington services

Our weekly services

Children with SEN often miss out on social activities, events and play groups because of several difficulties including speech delay, behaviour challenges, reduced danger awareness, anxiety and lack of social skills.

We provide them with assistance to access community activities as well as provide activities of our own to improve their social skills.

Craft & The children are engaged in a variety of Free Play different activities each week which help with several key skills: fine & gross motor, social, language, behaviour ect This is followed by soft play supervised by Soft play staff to aid gross motor development, hypermobility and manage proprioception needs Parent While Children are in soft play parents are Support given the opportunity to share strategies, Group information, advice and guidance for practical and emotional support. Then the children wash their hands and have Lunch

Then the children wash their hands and have lunch together with parents, siblings and staff. Eating a variety of healthy food tends to be challenging due to sensory processing disorders

Other Services we provide: Events

Once a month we organise a special activity, either an outing, workshop or Event. Events in the setting vary for example tippy toe dancing, bubble show, story massage, cupcake decorating, children’s yoga, capoeira music etc.

Other Services we provide: OT Workshops & home visits

We try to have Workshops every other month, They are delivered by a specialist Occupational Therapist on topics such as toileting, sleep, communication, behaviour management ect.

As well as a general overview of What is Autism? Which is open to the public, extended family and friends to increase understanding and better support ASD children in the area.

Other Services we provide: Outings

Taking ASD children on outing can be quite daunting for a parent as it is in an uncontrolled environment with too many unfamiliar faces and unexpected occurrences that is often too overwhelming for the ASD child and family.

a month with extra staff to support families (1:1 ratio) to places like the London Zoo (on SEND days), London Aquarium, small theatres, Interactive museums, parks, farms ect

Testimonials

Rabia

“My daughter likes to play in soft play and I can talk to other parents and get ideas”

Shah

Adelina

“I learnt many things and the parents are very kind. I enjoy the workshops. It’s my son’s Saturday routine. He sits so well at lunchtime that I am amazed!”

“This is so helpful for me and my son, staff are so helpful and nice”

Esperance

“They help me with more information about how to deal with Autism crisis. We share experiences about our kids and how to manage with everything” Shkendije

“Since we started coming my son has tried so many new food! He even makes sandwiches for himself”

Website

We upload photos each week to our website showing the different craft activity the children have been engaged in. We also have link to different resources available to families in the borough.

Facebook

We upload photos to our facebook and use the social platform to announce workshops and for fundraising.

Instagram & Twitter

Again we upload photos and announce workshops on Instagram. We also upload short videos from outings. We use twitter for mayor announcements.

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s)

Full name(s) Maria Dolores Paladini

Position (eg Treasurer Secretary, Chair, etc)

Date 14/12/2024