Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts
For the period: 1st April 2022 - 31st March 2023
Registered charity number 1188740 (England and Wales)
Contents
Page number
| 3 – 8 | Trustees’ Annual Report |
|---|---|
| 9 | Independent Examiner’s Report |
| 10 | Statement of Financial Activities |
| 10 | Balance Sheet |
| 11 – 13 | Notes to the Financial Statements |
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Administrative details
Charity name: Faiths Against Child Sexual Exploitation Also known as: FACES Registered charity number: 1188740 (England and Wales) Principal address: Hope Church Luton, Villa Road, Luton, LU2 7NT
Structure and governance
Trustees: Peter Adams 24th March 2020 - current Tony Thompson 24th March 2020 - current Rehana Faisal 24th March 2020 - current Sujel Miah 24th March 2020 - current Structure: Charitable Incorporated Organisation Governing document: Constitution
New trustees are selected in consideration of the skills, knowledge and experience they have, and are appointed by resolution passed by the existing trustee’s. All trustees must read and understand all organisational policies, which reflect statutory and legal requirements and good practice procedures.
Faiths Against Child Sexual Exploitation was set up as a local coalition of Christian and Muslim places of worship and charities. These partner organisations are Azalea, Discover Islam, Inspire FM, Lantern, Luton Council of Mosques, Luton Sunni Council of Mosques and St Mary’s Centre for Peace and Reconciliation and Youthscape in July 2016.
The charity has 7 members on the steering group including its trustees, and 2 paid members of staff.
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Objectives and activities
Charitable objects:
1) The promotion of religious harmony for the benefit of the public by:
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a) Educating the public in different religious beliefs including an awareness of their distinctive features and their common ground to promote good relations between persons of different faiths.
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b) Promoting knowledge and mutual understanding and respect of the beliefs and practices of different religious faiths.
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2) To advance in life and help safeguard young people through:
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a) Providing support and activities which develop their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as mature and responsible individuals.
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b) To develop the capacity and skills of the members of the socially disadvantaged community of Luton in such a way that they are better able to identify, and help meet, their needs and to participate more fully in society.
Projects
Teen Programme
We delivered our Teen Programme to a small cohort of boys and girls as part of The Raise Up Foundation’s summer holiday programme. The secondary-age young people explored topics relating to identity, value, communication and healthy relationships as part of a wider programme of enrichment including activities and trips.
Podcast
Since September 2022 our podcast has been available through most podcast apps. We’ve recorded and published 17 new episodes, aiming to publish one each week. We’ve categorised our episodes into three areas (below), covering our usual themes of safeguarding, faith, community and inclusion. There were 196 downloads between Sep 2022 - Mar 2023, which have generally been increasing each month. Most of our listeners are in the UK, with a small portion from the USA.
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| Face to Face, with: | Facing Issues: | Facing the News: |
|---|---|---|
| Sujel Miah (Trustee) Peter Adams (Trustee) Melissa Llewellyn (The Courtney Foundation/ FACES) Zafar Iqbal (Inspire FM) Tony Thompson (Trustee) |
Is faith allowed in today’s politics? Refugees: Humanity, people and process Local results from the 2021 census results CSA, CSE and human trafcking Caring for refugees Islamophobia and its impact on young people ICCSA report October 2022 Refugees in the UK |
The sentencing of Eleanor Williams Current news articles on grooming The arrest of Andrew Tate Luton royal visit Inter-faith Week 2022: Inter-faith or multi-faith, which suits us best? |
Training
Faith Sensitive Relationships and Sex Education
Building on our research into young people’s experiences of Relationships and Sex Education, particularly in relation to the guidance of ‘taking faith into account’, we developed a two-part course for educators and governors titled Faith Sensitive Relationships and Sex Education. The objectives of this course are to:
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Develop understanding about what faith sensitive RSE looks like in light of statutory guidance
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Recognise challenges in accounting for diversity and explore solutions
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Enhance understanding of young people’s views around RSE
We delivered a successful pilot to a cohort including a head teacher, safeguarding leads, governors and teachers from four local special schools. We secured funding from the Westhill Endowment Fund to deliver 12 courses over 2 years, in school and faith-based settings.
Photo from ‘Faith Sensitive Relationships and Sex Education’ training pilot with attendees from Woodlands, Lady Zia Wernher School, Richmond Hill and Windmill Hill Schools.
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Identity and Inclusion training
We improved our course presentation to make it more engaging and easier for trainers to deliver. We delivered a 3-hour condensed version of the 9-hour material to a local charity who we have a continued relationship of offering bespoke training to.
Slide from Identity and Inclusion training
Safeguarding: Working with refugees
Working with a humanitarian consultant who supports people claiming asylum locally and liaises with several key organisations, we began developing a bespoke safeguarding course for staff and volunteers working with people claiming asylum.
Thousands of people claiming asylum have lived in Luton over recent years, in hotels and other accommodation. Many have experienced trauma relating to persecution, war and violence, and some are families with children, who can circumstantially be out of school for periods of time. The nature of their status and previous experiences may put them at higher risk to certain types of abuse, including criminal and sexual exploitation.
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The FACES team including our trustees and leadership are involved in multiple initiatives responding to the needs of local people claiming asylum. We are part of and see the efforts from different organisations, staff and volunteers. We know that volunteer participation is vital if organisations are to work towards providing practical and social support at the scale needed. Liaising with local groups working in this area, we identified a collective need for bespoke safeguarding training and resources to ensure volunteers and organisations are equipped to safeguard people from harm and know what to do if abuse is identified, disclosed or suspected.
In offering this course we aim to: ensure safeguarding systems are robust; recognise nuances that may present when supporting people claiming asylum or refugees; be accessible to volunteers, staff and leadership at all levels; recap basic safeguarding knowledge and introduce the relevant asylum and refugee terminology; build a comprehensive understanding using case studies and draw on guidance, research and local experiences to ensure the course is relevant and actionable.
In addition to one online session and one in-person session, we will offer support specifically for decision makers within the organisation to implement changes, work to improve safeguarding-relevant governance and offer a critical ear and friendly advice. As part of the course we will provide an interactive digital document intended to support leadership and volunteers to quickly find useful information relating to safeguarding.
Future plans
Training
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We plan to pilot our new Safeguarding: Working with refugees training in 2023 to two cohorts: a group of up to 15 volunteers from one organisation, and a mixed cohort from multiple organisations. We’ll use feedback to improve the course and have it accredited under our membership with The CPD Certification Service.
Delivery of our Faith Sensitive Relationships and Sex Education training will begin later in 2023 as we approach local Trusts to offer training for key staff members over a number of sessions.
Conferences
We plan to host two conferences over the next year. With themes of relationships and sex education, local safeguarding context and the importance of inclusive practices, the first conference will be aimed at parents, teachers and other practitioners who work with children and families. We will offer tasters of our Identity and Inclusion, Faith Sensitive Relationships and Sex Education training and Teen Programme material. This is planned for July 2023.
The second conference will be faith-focused, bringing faith leaders together with a broader range of professionals who work with faith communities. We will position faith as a positive force and protective factor in relation to safeguarding, and challenge assumptions that view faith as a risk. This is planned for early 2024.
Research
We’re currently planning a second research project which will continue the theme of Relationships and Sex Education and likely explore teachers' experiences and perceptions of faith, culture and background; how this impacts students' experiences in the classroom, and how sex, relationships and safeguarding issues are managed in the wider school context.
Financial review
Reserves
An amount of reserves are kept in order to safeguard the charity from unexpected financial implications, including to:
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Ensure any urgent unexpected expenses can be met
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Prevent the interruption of existing operations due to a delay in receiving expected funds
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Ensure the charity can meet essential ongoing administrative costs for a period of 6 months if no other funding is received
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Facilitate options for urgent projects in response to beneficiary needs and circumstances
Our current reserves limit is £22,000. This means any amount of unrestricted
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funds (ie. funds that are not designated to projects or other existing costs) up to and including £22,000 may be reserved by the charity, for the reasons set out above.
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustee’s report above.
Signed on behalf of the trustees:
Tony Thompson
Dated: 13.9.23
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF Faiths Against Sexual Exploitation of Children
on the accounts for the year to 31[st] March 2023 as set out on pages 9 – 13 in this document.
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 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
Independent examiner's statement
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
My examination was carried out in accordance with 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 the 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.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
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1) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
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2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
Mervyn Thomas 128 Putnoe Lane Bedford MK41 8LS
Dated: Sept 14th.2023
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| STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES At 31st March 2023 Notes Total Funds Total Funds 2023 2022 £ £ Incoming Resources 3 |
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES At 31st March 2023 Notes Total Funds Total Funds 2023 2022 £ £ Incoming Resources 3 |
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES At 31st March 2023 Notes Total Funds Total Funds 2023 2022 £ £ Incoming Resources 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Voluntary income | 25 | 50 |
| Activities for generating funds | 600 | 725 |
| Charitable activities - Grants | 40,000 | 45,408 |
| Total Incoming Resources 40,625 46,183 Resources Expended 4 Charitable activities 27,318 23,816 Total Resources Expended 27,318 23,816 Net movement in funds 13,307 22,367 Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward 22,367 - Total funds carried forward 35,674 22,367 BALANCE SHEET At 31st March 2023 Notes Total Funds Total Funds 2023 2022 £ £ Current assets Cash at bank and in hand 35,824 23,867 Total current assets 35,824 23,867 Short Term Liabilities 5 (150) (1,500) Total assets less liabilities 35,674 22,367 Charity Funds Unrestricted funds 35,674 22,367 |
40,625 | 46,183 |
| 27,318 | 23,816 | |
| 27,318 | 23,816 | |
| 13,307 | 22,367 | |
| 22,367 | - | |
| 35,674 | 22,367 | |
| 35,824 | 23,867 | |
| 35,824 | 23,867 | |
| (150) | (1,500) | |
| 35,674 | 22,367 | |
| 35,674 | 22,367 |
ON BEHALF OF THE TRUSTEES
Tony Thompson Dated: 13.9.2022 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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The notes on pages 11 to 13 form part of these financial statements.
1 BASIS OF PREPARATION
1.1 Basis of accounting
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with:
the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable
and with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
and with the Charities Act 2011.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
1.2 Going concern
The Charity is a going concern. Income generation through donations and grants is maintaining adequate reserves.
1.3 Change of accounting policy
The accounts present a true and fair view and the accounting policies adopted are those outlined in note 2.
1.4 Changes to accounting estimates
No changes to accounting estimates have occurred in the reporting period (3.46 FRS 102 SORP).
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the period.
2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. and in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and with the Charities Act 2011.
- 2.2 Fund accounting: There are no restricted or designated funds for the charity.
2.3 Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the church becomes entitled to the income, it is more likely than not that it will receive the resources and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Voluntary income is received by way of donations and gifts and is included in full in the SoFA when receivable. Grants are included in the SoFA when the general income recognition criteria above are met and in the case of performance related grants income is recognised to the extent that the specified goods or services have been provided. Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the church where this can be measured reliably. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included in these accounts. Investment income is included when received.
2.4 Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT that cannot be fully recovered, which is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates. Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
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Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the church (as a charitable company) and include the audit fees and costs linked to the church’s legal constitution.
2.5 Fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases: Equipment and fittings: 25% per annum on cost No depreciation is provided on freehold land or buildings, following a change in accounting policy implemented in the Accounts for the period ended 31st March 2018.
2.6 Pension costs
Employees of the church are entitled to join a defined contribution pension scheme. The church contribution is limited to the contributions disclosed in note 3.
2.7 Debtors
Debtors (including trade debtors and loans receivable) are measured on initial recognition at settlement amount after any trade discounts or amount advanced by the charity. Subsequently, they are measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be received.
2.8 Creditors
Creditors (including accruals) are recognised when due at the balance sheet date.
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| 3 ANALYSIS OF INCOME | ||
|---|---|---|
| Total Funds | Total Funds | |
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Voluntary Income - Donations | 25 | 50 |
| Activities for generating funds - Training Courses | 600 | 725 |
| Charitable Activities - Incoming Grants | 40,000 | 45,408 |
| Total Incoming Resources | 40,625 | 46,183 |
4 ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE
| 4 ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE | ||
|---|---|---|
| Total Funds | Total Funds | |
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| Expenditure on charitable activities | £ | £ |
| Payroll | 25,593 | 21,318 |
| Staff expenses | - | 242 |
| Office | 150 | 896 |
| Subscriptions | 285 | 120 |
| CPD Certificate | 1,140 | 1140 |
| Governance | 150 | 100 |
| Total Incoming Resources | 27,318 | 23,816 |
Transactions with trustees and related parties
None of the Trustees have been paid any remuneration or received any benefits from an employment with their charity or a related charity.
| 5 CREDITORS AND ACCRUALS | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Accrual for Independent Examiner | 150 | 100 |
| Payroll Accrual | - | 1,400 |
| Total | 150 | 1,500 |
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