Realising Children's Potential Taunton Opportunity Group Annual Report and Accounts For the period ended 31 August 2024 Taunton Opportunity Group Index to Annual Report and Accounts For the period ended 31 August 2024 Contents General Information Trustees, Annual Report 4t06 Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities Independent Examinerfs Report Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet 10 Notes to the Financial Slatements 11 to17 General Information Trustees Chair Holly Burcheti Vice-chair Jena Whittet-Evens Treasurer Gavin Brown Secretary Alison Brown oth8r Truslees Susan Small Heidi Brand Nina Engleby Jennifer Bird (resigned as trustee prior to 31 August 20241 Mo Hodges Iresigned as trustee prior to 31 August 20241 Rosi Rosthorn (appointed as trustee 18 July 20241 Addre$s Wooden Spoon House Crowcombe Road Taunton TA2 7NF Bankers Lloyds Bank PIC 31 Fore Street Taunton TA1 1HN Charlty Numbar 277984 Independent Examlner Christopher Chery FCCA Clo Brunel Chartered Certified Accountants 3 Marco Polo House Cook Way Taunton Sorllerset TA2 6BJ Trustees, Annual Report The trustees present the annual report together wilh the finanaal ststemenls of the charity for the extended period ended 31 August 2024. Background and activities Taunton Opportunity Group (TOGI is a specialist preschool provision for children with special educational needs andlor disabilities living in Taunton Deane and ils surrounding areas. TOG welcomes applications for children with a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities. Staff are highly trained in supporting children with conditions such as Downs Syndrome, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and complex medical conditions in addition lo speech and language or general development delay. TOG was first formed as a voluntary self-help group in 1972. The group initially met Ihree mornings per week and was run by a committee of parents and those interested in helping preschool children with special educalional needs. In 1978 TOG moved to Iwo purpose-built cabins in Bishop's Hull. In 2000 thanks to support from local organisations including Soroplimist International and Taunton Vale Rotary Club and a generous matched donation from The British Rugby Charity (known as Wooden Spoon Society), a new purpose-buill building opened. TOG boasts a range of excellent facilities including a multi-sensory unit {MSUI, playroom, messy play area, outdoor play area and family room. Our mission TOG provides a learning environment geared lowards its mission to help children realise their full developmental potential. TOG operates a key worker system, has a maximum 1..3 staff to child ratio, provides a tailored curriculum and universal access to the Early Years Foundation Stage through developmentally appropriate, inclusive, and stimulating activities. To offer a coordinated approach to development, the team also works in partnership wlh external professionals such as Speech and Language Therapy, Physiolherapy and Occupational Therapy. Achievements and performance May 2023 brought a well-eamed Outstanding rating from Ofsted. The team are very proud of this achievement, and it reflects TOG'S dedication and hard work in delivering an individualised curriculum tailored to each child's needs. In July 2023. TOG had 9 leavers.. 4 went into mainstre8m; 4 into specialist schools., 1 was not placed. September 2023 saw the return of a key worker from maternity leave and the start of 2 apprenticeships. Bolh apprentices have settled in well and are 8 great addition to the TOG team, which currently consists of manager, deputy manager, 3 key workers and 1 bank staff. At the Annual General Meeting held on 23 November 2023. Jennifer Bird stepped down from the pos5tion of Chair and Holly Burchetl was elecled. Jena Whiltet-Evens was elected as V&￿-chaIr and former staff member Nina Engleby was elected as a new committee member. As of 31 August 2024, 14 children are on the roll for morning sessions, 2 children alt8nd Tuesday baby group and 1 child allends weekly 1-hour MSU sessions. The age range of TOG'S children is between 3 months to 5 years. Volunteers 3 weekly playroom volunteers assist with supeNision and help lo enhance the play experience of individual children. In January 2024 a fundraising subcommittee consisting of 3 trustees was established. A variety of fundraising avenues are being explored.. individual giving; trusts and foundations., community fundraising,. corporate sponsorship. Governance TOG is governed by a constitution modelled on one recommended by The Early Years Alliance. This was brought up to dale and adopted al the Annual General Meeting held on 8 November 2018. TOG'S constitution is available lo view on the website. Public benefit The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Ofsted As aforementioned the most recent Ofsted inspection was in May 2023. The report stales thal the quality and standard of TOG'S provision was Outstanding a￿OsS all four categories. The inspector wrote how'slaff know the Children extremely well and have very high expectations for them all. They skilfully interact lo encourage and promote children's language development. [...] Children are highly motivated to explore, showing curiosity and fascination when Ihey come across something of interest., Other key findings include how the curriculum is adapted lo suit individual needs, learning is inclusive, and communication methods are experuy used lo help children to interact. Safeguarding TOG is committed to ensuring that paramount importance is given lo safeguarding the children in ils care. TOG'S Safeguarding Policy is reviewed annually. The management team is also proactive in providing annual training and regular support to staff. volunteers, and trustees. Rlsk Management Comprehensive policy and protocol documents are in place coverfng all operational aspects of TOG'S work. These are reviewed and updated as ne￿Ssary, bul at least annLsally. Financial risk is kept under constant review by the committee at ils regular half temly meetings and is looked at in greater depth when Ihe annual accounts are produced, and budgets are set. Reserves Policy The committee aims to hold in cash reserves a figure equal lo one year's expenditure not covered by income from Somerset County Council. As of 31 August 2024 the unreslricled liquid cash reserves stood al £234,835. Investment Pollcy Funds not required to meel day-to-day expenses or to act as reserves are to be deposited in low- risk interest bearing accounts. Flnancial review The Slalement of Financial Activities for the period and Balance Sheel as of 31 August 2024 are presented on pages 9 and 10. Forlhe extended period ending 31 August 2024, TOG achieved a surplus of income over expenditure amounting to £190,757, with total unrestricted funds carried fOn￿ard of £511,354 Included in these reseNes is a legacy of £222.076.76 received from Mrs. Christine Ann Robinson. TOG is immensely grateful for Mrs. Robinson's generosity. which has financially sustained the charityfor the next 10 years. The TOG team plans lo erect a plaque al Wooden Spoon House lo honour her gift. The trustees remaln concerned about the ongoing annual deficit, which has risen from £7,777 in 2020 to £16,757 in 2022 and £17,580 in 2023. Excluding Mrs. Robinson's legacy, a trading deficit of £31.320 was generated in the extended period to 31 August 2024. The strategic prlority is for the committee to work with management to develop a plan which addresses this problem and works to close the gap between financial income and expenditure in the long-lerm. Specifically, this will ir)volve volunteer recruilmenl, the gradual increase of children per session and the promotion of TOG'S baby group and MSU facilities, in addition to fundraising. The trustees wish to thank all who have supported TOG financially during the past reporting period. Thank you to our regular donors, events participants, Hidden Needs Trust, and The Wailrose Foundation amongst others. Going concern The trustees have carefully considered the charity's position in respect of its going concern status. Given the improvement made In reserves sinTr 31 March 2023 and the strategic plan In development between the committee and management team, the trustees are satisfied of the charity's ability to meet ils obligations for the next twelve months. The Irustees, annual report was approved by the trustees of T8unlon Opportunity Group on 21 November 2024 and was signed on its behalf by its Chairperson Holly Burchett. Holly Burchett Chair of trustees 21 November 2024 Statement of Trustees. Responsibilities The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees. annual report and the financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practi¢el and appli¢able law and regulations. Usual accounting principles requires the trustees to prepare the financial statements for each financial period which give a true and fair view. The trustees should not approve the financial slatemenls unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the slale of affairs of the charity and of ils incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expendilure, for that flnancial period. In preparing Ihese financial slatemenls, the trustees are required to: Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently. Observe the methods and principles in The Charities Statement of Recommended Practice. Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. Slate whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements. Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue lo operate. The trustees 8re responsible for keeping adequate accounting records thal are sufficient lo show and explain the charitable company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company, and enable them lo ensure Ihat the finan¢i81 slatemenls comply with the Companies Act 2006. The trustees are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for Ihe prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporale and financial information included on the charitable company s website. Approved by the trustees of Taunton Opportunity Group on 21 November 2024 and signed on its behalf by Chairperson Holly Burchett. Holly Burchett Chair of trustees 21 November 2024 Independent Examiner's Report CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Fie ort Report lo the trusteesl members of Taunton Opportunity Group On accounts for the perlod ended 31 Auousl 2024 Charity no lif any) 277984 Sel out on pages nine to eighteen I report to the trustees on my examlnalion of the aGcounls of the above charity {"the Trust") for Ihe ptsriod ended 31 August 2024. Responsibilities and basis of As Ihe charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for th6 preparation of the report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111.lhe Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Aol and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the Act. I have compleled my exatminalion. I confirm that no material mallers have come lo my attention (other than that disclosed below'l in connection wilh the examination which gives me cause lo believe that in, any material r&specl'. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the ac¢ounling ￿COrdS I have no concerns and have come across no other mallers in connection with the examination lo which attention should be drawn in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Pleas8 delete th& words in the brack81s if Ih8y do not apply. Independent examiner's statement C Ckerry Dale.. 15 November 2024 Signed.. Name.. Christopher Chtrrry Relevant professional qualificationlsl or body lif any).. FCCA Address.. Clo Brunel Chartered Certified Accountants 3 Marco Polo Hous8, Cook Way Taunton. Somerset TA2 6 Taunton Opportunity Group Statement of Financial Activities Period Ended 31 August 2024 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Slalement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses) Note Unrestricted Restricled Funds Funds Total 2024 Total 2023 Income From.. and Endowments Donations & legacies Charitable activities 224,897 90,546 963 224,897 90,546 963 7,389 58,312 1,062 Other tradirsg activities other Total Income 318 606 326 072 Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activities (131,772) {3,543) 1135,3151 {97,4981 Other Total Expenditure 131772 135315 Net IncomellExpenditurg) 186 834 190 757 Transfer between funds Net movement in funds 190,757 190,757 {17,580) Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward 16 319240 320 597 338 177 Transfèr funds between histor1¢ Total funds carried forward 511354 511354 320 597 Taunton Opportunity Group Balance Sheet 31 August 2024 Nole 2024 2023 Fixed assets Tangible assets 11 271,696 271,696 Current assets Stocks 12 Debtors 13 3,644 1,035 28,097 Prepayments Investmenls 13 Cash al bank and in hand 236014 511,354 48,901 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Net assets 14 511354 320 597 Funds of the charity: Restricted funds Unrestricted in¢ome funds Unrestricted funds 15 1,357 511354 319240 Total funds 511354 320 597 The trustees have nol required the charity lo obtain and audit of its financial statements for the period ended 31 August 2024 in accordance with section 144121 of the Charities Act 2011. The trustees ad