Company registration number: 02098193 Charity registration number: 518591
Autism Plus Limited
(A company limited by guarantee)
Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
Autism Plus Limited
Contents (continued)
| Trustees' Report | 1 to 11 |
|---|---|
| Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities | 12 |
| Independent Auditors' Report | 13 to 15 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 16 |
| Balance Sheet | 17 |
| Statement of Cash Flows | 18 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 19 to 33 |
Autism Plus Limited
Trustees' Report
Reference and Administrative Details
The trustees (who are also directors of Autism Plus Limited for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (FRS102) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.
Charity registration number : 518591 Company Registration Number : 02098193 Chairman : C D Lindsay Directors and Trustees : C D Lindsay C J Allen R L Boor P J Briggs M J Fletcher S Fletcher V J Lindsay (resigned 14 January 2025) J S McNeice (appointed 5 April 2024) P Price F A Scoon P F Tyerman P Smith (appointed 19 November 2024) Chief Executive Officer : P Bartey Other Senior Staff : T Todd (Director of Finance & Resources) Registered Office : Exchange Brewery 2 Bridge Street Sheffield S3 8NS Bankers : Barclays 2-10 Pinstone Street Sheffield S1 2HN Auditor: Hawsons Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor Pegasus House 463a Glossop Road Sheffield South Yorkshire S10 2QD
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Autism Plus Limited
Trustees' Report (continued)
Solicitors :
Hempsons Limited The Exchange Station Parade Harrogate HG1 1TS
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Autism Plus Limited
Trustees' Report (continued)
Chairman’s Report
During this difficult year we have witnessed the impact of significant change as a consequence of Labour forming the new government following the general election. It has become clear that the long-anticipated review of social care has once again been kicked into the long grass by this government. The Casey report commissioned by the government is another review of social care and is predicted to report back in 2028/29. Action to reform social care is required now. The risk here being that the review will kick the issue well into the next parliamentary term.
As predicted, this year has proven to be a most difficult year with local authorities reducing fee levels and continuing pressure facing all providers in the year ahead with unfunded National Insurance (NIC) and National Minimum wage (NMW) costs imposed by central government.
The new ‘Employment Rights Bill’ is forecast to be implemented late Summer 2025. It heralds further difficulty for the social care sector as the new legislation is predicted to increase the NMW levels well beyond the National Living Wage (NLW), placing further cost on to providers without the funding to pay for this.
We are making enormous efforts to challenge the above decisions and are aided by Care England and other lobbying bodies working closely with our Chief Executive to challenge government at all levels.
As a direct consequence of the above, fee negotiations involving our Chief Executive and the finance team continue to be more difficult and protracted with some authorities resulting in more time, effort, and cost to achieve fair levels of funding. The Chief Executive and his team have worked tirelessly in devoting much time and effort to meet the dual challenges involved in underfunding and staffing shortages. Our agency costs have decreased largely due to the loss of a large contract. However, it is pleasing to note that our remaining business has also benefited from reduced agency costs during the year.
Our business remains under significant pressure as we continue to grapple with the above challenges affecting social care across the UK.
Our newly relocated chocolate factory, together with the newly opened chocolate shop in Easingwold are both performing well. Traditional charity shops throughout the UK have been faced with many closures. We also decided to close our traditional charity shops in Goole and Garforth during the year. Our chocolate shop and café in Easingwold is bucking the trend and performing exceptionally well.
Finally, I would like to thank our Chief Executive, the Senior Team, my colleagues on the board and all our staff for a remarkable effort in making Autism Plus the success it has been during these challenging times.
......................................... C D Lindsay Chairman
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Autism Plus Limited
Trustees' Report (continued)
Strategic report
The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the financial statements and auditors' report of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Organisation
The charity’s principal activity during the year continued to be the provision of residential and day care services for autistic adults. It also provides Social Enterprise initiatives, care in the community, and generally acts as a first line of support to anyone affected by Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD), complex and neuro diverse conditions.
Objects of the charity
The charity seeks to be the centre of excellence dedicated to addressing the individual needs of those affected by ASD, complex and neuro diverse conditions. Going forward the Charity is looking to provide help and support for all those with neuro diverse conditions and related disabilities, in addition to ASD.
Public benefit
The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities. The trustees embrace the Charity Governance Code and ensure that all trustees are committed to the charity cause because they want to assist the charity to deliver its purpose and mission effectively for public benefit. We recognise that meeting the charity’s stated public benefit is an on-going requirement. All trustees fully understand their roles and legal responsibilities and in particular they have read and understand the Commission’s guidance contained in the ‘Essential Trustee (CC3)’. The trustees are committed to good governance and want to actively contribute to the charity’s continuous improvement.
Structure, governance and management
Governing document
Autism Plus Limited is a charitable company (“the Charity”) limited by guarantee and a registered charity governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Under the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, one third of the trustees retire from office by rotation, and being eligible offer themselves for re-election. Re-election will be at the next Annual General Meeting.
Delegation of duties
The trustees have delegated the management of the organisation to the Senior Management Team via the Chief Executive Officer. The trustees and the Senior Management Team meet on a quarterly basis in terms of the formal board meetings. Interim meetings are held on a monthly basis and the Trustees are engaged and involved in strategic planning via a series of Away Day activities. The Senior Management Team meets on a monthly basis.
The board accepts collective responsibility for ensuring that the charity has a clear and relevant set of aims and a strategy for achieving them. Strategy is reviewed on an annual basis and the charity works to a three year rolling business plan containing key actions and risk analysis. The board ensures the charity’s aims and values are reflected in all of its work and the ethos and culture of the charity underpins the delivery of all its activities.
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Autism Plus Limited
Trustees' Report (continued)
Financial review and reserves policy
During the year, the charity recognised a deficit of £224,696 (2024: £301,435) on unrestricted funds and a surplus of £132,509 (2024: £9,028) on restricted funds. This resulted in an overall deficit of £92,187 (2024: £292,407).
The Board of Trustees reviewed the accounts and are satisfied the charity has sufficient resources in place for the forthcoming financial year: £2,912,285 (2024: £3,004,472). £2,469,911 (2024: £2,694,607) of which relates to unrestricted funds. The Trustees define unrestricted reserves as general funds held in liquid form. Thus, any funds that could only be realised by disposal of fixed assets held for charitable purposes are excluded from this total. The value of fixed assets at the year-end was £3,159,178. Taking these from unrestricted funds give a remaining unrestricted reserve balance of £(689,267). Our aim is to maintain unrestricted reserves at a sufficient level to ensure sustainability as well as financial resilience. We estimate that 6 month’s operating costs for the charity would be in the region of £6,222,916.
Risk is reviewed on a regular basis and some allowance is made in the charity’s forecasts, projections and negotiated facilities. Should material unexpected demands and liabilities arise, the trustees consider that the liquid reserve fund would provide sufficient funds to meet the level of anticipated risk if charity property were sold.
The organisation plans to hold a percentage of liquid reserves equivalent to a percentage of its annual expenditure, to cover any eventuality and enable it to continue trading for a period. The board are considering investing an agreed amount into a higher interest account, where funds would be readily available.
Investment policy
The Board of Trustees has the power to invest any Charity monies, surplus to current requirements, in whatever investments, securities or properties as may be thought fit (Memorandum & Articles of Association - section 3, sub section m). There are no restrictions on this power.
During the year, all free funds (unrestricted funds) are invested in a Barclays Corporate Account. This allows daily transactions of funds to and from the current account for use as daily working capital with much improved cash flow management as a result. These is a small risk attached to the investment but the board is of the opinion that it is worth taking to enable all Charity’s free funds to be invested at a higher rate of interest than that normally available for immediately accessible cash.
Trustees legal duties and focus
All the trustees understand their legal duties as set out in the Essential Trustee Guide and where appropriate the trustees take legal and other professional advice. The board ensures its decision making processes are informed, rigorous and timely, and that effective delegation, control and risk assessment systems are reviewed and monitored.
The trustees understand the distinction between governance and management and have taken appropriate steps to ensure the two positions are not confused. The trustees offer strong leadership and challenge with integrity, openness and accountability. Organisational plans and risk management plans are reviewed regularly with the Senior Management Team and appropriate actions approved to ensure the stability and continuity of the Charity in line with its mission, objects and strategy.
The board is therefore clear that its main focus is on strategy, performance and assurance, rather than on operational matters and reflects this understanding in terms of what is delegated.
The trustees have also appointed an independent company to conduct audits and mock inspections of its care functions and services. This adds independent rigour and value to the internal auditing conducted by key staff. The board is aware of the key financial and non-financial risks it needs to monitor and manage.
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Autism Plus Limited
Trustees' Report (continued)
Insurance effected for trustees and officers
Professional indemnity insurance has been taken out by Autism Plus Limited on behalf of its trustees and officers.
Disabled employees
Applications for employment by disabled persons are given full and fair consideration for all vacancies in accordance with the applicant’s particular aptitude and abilities. In the event of employees becoming disabled, every effort is made to retain and make reasonable adjustments to the workplace in order that their employment with Autism Plus may continue.
Trustees – appointment, induction and training
For the purposes of company law, the Trustees of the charity are shown in the Reference and Administrative details on page 1. All trustees listed served throughout the year except where stated.
No trustee had, during or at the end of the year, a material interest in any contract which was significant in relation to the Charity’s business.
Trustees are recruited by advertising and word of mouth.
Trustees have an induction/training day, receive a copy of the “Good Trustee Guide” and are involved in regular strategic away days.
Charity Risk Assessment and management policy
The Board has conducted its own review of the major risks and has determined what mitigation is required to limit them to acceptable levels. The detail has been recorded in a strategic level document, the “Risk Strategy.”
The Risk Strategy is reviewed on a monthly basis by the Senior Management Team, and quarterly by the Board, who sign the Risk Strategy document when approved.
The Risk Strategy examines various aspects of the business and is an evolving and working document.
Action Plans are drawn up as necessary, and a lead officer is appointed by the Senior Management Team to lead on each area of risk identified.
The Charity has updated its risk registers during 2024/25. The following risks have been identified as the key risks the Charity faces:
Many councils nationwide have experienced providers handing back underfunded contracts due to unacceptable low fee levels. Others have handed back contracts because they cannot recruit the staff to cover them. These two factors remain a risk due to the continued austerity measures and the under- funding of social care by central government.
The UK government has so far taken no action to address the national crisis in social care that has arisen due to years of underfunding by successive governments. Social care workers feel undervalued by the state, resulting in many leaving the profession for better paid work. Agency costs have increased on a national scale due to a chronic shortage of agency workers. Our agency costs decreased overall during the current year due to the loss of a large contract. When comparing agency costs with the previous year we have also see an encouraging reduction in the remaining business.
The most significant risk to our business in the years ahead is due to the government loading significant costs on to providers including NIC and NMW and local authorities claiming they do not have the resources to meet these costs, so providers face substantial under funding. Care England have bravely decided to take the government to court over their decision to refuse to exempt charities from the NIC increases because the increased cost to providers will not be covered by fee uplifts.
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Autism Plus Limited
Trustees' Report (continued)
Charity Risk Assessment and management policy (continued)
A further significant risk is the launch of the Employment Rights Bill, due to be launched over the summer months. We await clarity as to the detail, but it has become clear the intention is to substantially increase the NMW well in excess of the National Living Wage. Again, if providers are not given the funds to meet these costs it will be catastrophic for sector providers. It is concerning to note that the NHS and the Public Sector have both been exempted from NIC increases whilst having received considerable funding for the NHS.
Finally, the long awaited review of the social care sector has been kicked into the long grass with yet another review (The Casey Review) which is not expected to report back until 2028/29.
The charity will continue to build upon the success of its social enterprises established across the region and is committed to its Employment Services programme and external training initiative.
Key Performance Indicators
The Trustees of Autism Plus Limited review key performance indicators (KPI) to measure certain key areas of the services as follows:
Non-Financial KPIs
Staff Satisfaction Survey - A staff survey was sent to all staff to complete requesting their opinion in many areas of the organisation including management, training, salaries etc.
| No of Responses | No of Staff (approx) | % who completed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016/17 | 122 | 400 | 30.5% |
| 2017/18 | 98 | 420 | 23.23% |
| 2018/19 | Survey commenced only in May 2019 | ||
| 2019/20 | 61 | 429 | 14.3% |
| 2020/21 | Survey to be completed during 2021/22 | ||
| 2021/22 | 99 | 450 | 22.0% |
| 2022/23 | Survey to be completed during 2023/24 | ||
| 2023/24 | Survey not completed in 2023/24 | ||
| 2024/25 | 91 | 420 | 21.7% |
We are analysing the results through the new communication group which consists of representation across the whole organisation. An action plan is being drafted aligned to the feedback.
Volunteers
The charity relies on volunteers in certain areas of the organisation, with the key area being working within our 3 charity shops. We are looking at ways to increase the number of volunteers to all areas of the organisation going forward.
| 2024/25 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | 20 | 42 | 25 | 46 | |
| Staff attrition levels | |||||
| 2024/25 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 | |
| 25.07% | 23.73% | 40.17% | 48.85% | 28.01% |
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Autism Plus Limited
Trustees' Report (continued)
Residential Bed Occupancy Levels
Reviewed to regularly monitor any voids and calculated as a percentage of occupied beds. There remains high interest in the residential service from Commissioning Authorities.
| 2024/25 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total residential beds | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| No of voids | 3 | - | - | - | - |
| Total occupied (%) | 83.3% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Supported Living Levels
We have Supported Living services Yorkshire wide. New services are emerging through the Transforming Care Agenda.
| 2024/25 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total supported living beds | 53 | 48 | 53 | 50 | 50 |
| No of voids | 8 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Total occupied (%) | 86.8% | 91.7% | 94.0% | 94.0% | 94.0% |
CQC Ratings
Our residential services were inspected in 24/25 and achieved an overall rating of “good”. The results were consistently “good” with an element of “outstanding”.
Financial KPIs
Revenue Growth
| Financial KPIs Revenue Growth |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024/25 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 | |
| (0.2%) | 7.5% | 18.2% | (0.1%) | 1.4% | |
| Gross Profit Margin (GPM)/Net | Profit Margin (NPM) | ||||
| 2024/25 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 | |
| Net income/(expenditure) before transfers |
(0.7)% | (2.2)% | 3.4% | (5.6%) | (6.7%) |
| Net movement in funds | (0.7)% | (2.2)% | 3.4% | (5.6%) | (1.5%) |
| Current Ratio | |||||
| 2024/25 | 2023/24 | 2022/23 | 2021/22 | 2020/21 | |
| 1.8 times | 1.8 times | 1.7 times | 1.4 times | 1.6 times |
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Autism Plus Limited
Trustees' Report (continued)
Going concern
The trustees believe it is appropriate to prepare these financial statements on a going concern basis. The trustees have taken note of the guidance issued by the Financial Reporting Council on Going Concern Assessments in determining that this is the appropriate basis of preparation of the financial statements and have considered a number of factors. The trustees have prepared forecasts covering the period to March 2028.
In reaching the going concern conclusion, the trustees have considered positive indications of financial stability such as the level of cash and investment resources and the financial performance forecast.
The Charity meets its day-to-day working capital requirements and, following the completion of the sale of properties in the financial year ended 31 March 2019, has unrestricted cash and investment reserves available. The current economic conditions continue to create uncertainty over both the level of demand for the Charity’s services and the availability of bank finance if required in the future. However, the Charity’s forecasts and projections, taking account of reasonably possible changes in the nature and level of activities, show that the Charity is expected to operate within its current facilities for the foreseeable future. Sensitivities have been applied to the forecast to consider potential future scenarios, including reduction in revenue and increases in costs, and the Charity is forecast to remain with its existing resources in each of the reasonable sensitivities considered.
After making enquiries and reviewing the cash flow forecasts to March 2028, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, being a period of at least 12 months following the approval of these financial statements. The Charity therefore continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
Fundraising income
In the year donations and legacies amounted to £124,617 (2024: £23,761). The Charity Shop trading resulted in a deficit of £135,224 (2024: £49,121).
The organisation raised £124,617 of funds during the year - these funds were raised at nil cost to the organisation. The charity has engaged positively with the Funding Regulators Scheme and fully supports its aims and principles.
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Autism Plus Limited
Trustees' Report (continued)
Fundraising policy
It is our aim to provide the best possible donor experience and deliver the highest possible standards of donor care at all times. We are registered with the Fundraising Regulator to demonstrate our commitment to achieving the highest standards in fundraising and we strive at all times to comply with the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice. We are committed to undertake our fundraising in a legal, open, honest and respectful manner by following the standards for fundraising set out in the Fundraising Regulator’s Fundraising Promise. We therefore use the Fundraising Regulator logo on our fundraising materials to show that we are following these standards.
We are committed at all times to uphold the highest standards of practice in our fundraising. This commitment means that we will:
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Comply with all relevant law and regulations including the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Act 2016, the Data Protection Act 1998, and the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice and where relevant the Gambling Act 2005.
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Treat the information that supporters provide to Autism Plus in line with our Privacy Policy and never share or sell their personal information to third parties for the purpose of marketing or fundraising.
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Ensure clear governance and management controls for the legal, safe and transparent raising off funds from a diverse range of sources.
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Operate policy and guidance for working with supporters who are in vulnerable circumstances.
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Have clear rules for when donations may be returned to donors.
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Report regular to the trustees of Autism Plus Limited regarding fundraising activity, including an annual summary of complaints and actions taken to address these.
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We have received no complaints in relation to fundraising activities.
Payment policy
It is Autism Plus’s policy to state the terms of payment with supplier when agreeing the terms of the transaction, to ensure its suppliers are aware of these terms and comply with them.
At 31 March 2025 the group had an average of 9 days purchases (2024: 11 days of purchases) outstanding in trade creditors.
Statement of disclosure to auditors
The trustees of the charitable company who held office at the date of approval of this Annual Report each confirm that:
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as far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit information (information needed by the charitable company’s auditors in connection with preparing their report) of which the charitable company’s auditors are unaware; and
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they have taken all the steps that they ought to take as trustees in order to make themselves aware of any audit information and to establish that the charitable company’s auditors are aware of that information.
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Autism Plus Limited
Trustees' Report (continued)
Reappointment of auditor
A resolution will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting that Hawsons be re-appointed as auditors to the charity for the ensuing year.
The report of the trustees has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part VII of the Companies Act 2006.
In approving the Trustees’ Annual Report, we also approve the Strategic Report included therein, in our capacity as company directors.
Small companies provision statement
This report has been prepared in accordance with the small companies regime under the Companies Act 2006.
The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charitable company on 19 August 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
......................................... Le. brea’ P J Briggs Trustee
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Autism Plus Limited
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The trustees (who are also the directors of Autism Plus Limited for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland". The report and accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions in the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards, comprising FRS 102 have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that can disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
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Autism Plus Limited
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Autism Plus Limited
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Autism Plus Limited (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 March 2025, which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheet, Statement of Cash Flows, and Notes to the Financial Statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
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give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
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have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements were authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the trustees’ annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
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Autism Plus Limited
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Autism Plus Limited (continued)
Opinion on other matter prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
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In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
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the information given in the Trustees' Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
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the Trustees' Report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees' Report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
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adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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certain disclosures of trustees remuneration specified by law are not made; or
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we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities set out on page 12, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
We have been appointed auditor under the Companies Act 2006 and report in accordance with this Act.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
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Autism Plus Limited
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Autism Plus Limited (continued)
The charitable company is subject to laws and regulations that directly and indirectly affect the financial statements. Based on our understanding of the charitable company and the environment it operates within, we determined that the laws and regulations which were most significant included FRS 102, Companies Act 2006, Health and Safety regulations, the Charities Act 2011 and CQC requirements. We considered the extent to which non-compliance with these laws and regulations might have a material effect on the financial statements, including how fraud might occur. We evaluated management’s incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls), and determined that the principal risks were related to the posting of inappropriate journal entries to improve the company’s result for the period, and management bias in key accounting estimates.
Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:
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Discussions with management and those responsible for legal compliance procedures within the charitable company to obtain an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the charitable company and how the charitable company complies with that framework, including consideration of known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations and fraud;
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Reviewing minutes of Trustee meetings;
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Identifying and assessing the design effectiveness of controls that management has in place to prevent and detect fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations;
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Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in their significant accounting estimates.
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Identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any journal entries posted with unusual account combinations or posted by senior management.
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and the more removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we are to become aware of it. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditors/audit-assurance/auditor-s-responsibilities-for-the-audit-of-the-fi/description-of -the-auditor’s-responsibilities-for. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charitable company's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and its trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
...................................... Simon Bladen (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of Hawsons Chartered Accountants, Statutory Auditor
Pegasus House 463a Glossop Road Sheffield South Yorkshire S10 2QD
21/08/2025 Date:.............................
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Autism Plus Limited
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||
| Note | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||||||
| Incoming resources | ||||||||||||
| Donations and legacies | 2 | - | 124,617 | 124,617 | 23,761 | |||||||
| Grants receivable | 2 | - | 30,739 | 30,739 | 107,813 | |||||||
| Investment income | 13,094 | - | 13,094 | - | ||||||||
| Charity shops | 155,942 | - | 155,942 | 161,894 | ||||||||
| Provision of care | 12,997,309 | - | 12,997,309 | 13,060,014 | ||||||||
| Total incoming resources | 13,166,345 | 155,356 | 13,321,701 | 13,353,482 | ||||||||
| Resources expended | ||||||||||||
| Raising funds | 3 | (291,166) | - | (291,166) | (211,015) | |||||||
| Charitable activity | 3 | (13,108,863) | (13,859) | (13,122,722) | (13,434,874) | |||||||
| Total expenditure | (13,400,029) | (13,859) | (13,413,888) | (13,645,889) | ||||||||
| Net (outgoing | ||||||||||||
| resources)/incoming | ||||||||||||
| resources | (233,684) | 141,497 | (92,187) | (292,407) | ||||||||
| Transfers between funds | 8,988 | (8,988) | - | - | ||||||||
| Net movement in funds | (224,696) | 132,509 | (92,187) | (292,407) | ||||||||
| Reconciliation of funds | ||||||||||||
| Total funds brought forward | 2,694,607 | 309,865 | 3,004,472 | 3,296,879 | ||||||||
| Total funds carried forward | 17 | 2,469,911 | 442,374 | 2,912,285 | 3,004,472 |
The notes on pages 19 to 33 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 16
Autism Plus Limited
(Registration number: 02098193) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | £ | £ | |||
| Fixed assets | |||||
| Tangible assets | 9 | 2,593,521 | 2,163,800 | ||
| Investments | 10 | 565,657 | 565,657 | ||
| 3,159,178 | 2,729,457 | ||||
| Current assets | |||||
| Stocks | 12 | 55,760 | 31,118 | ||
| Debtors | 13 | 1,204,402 | 1,224,479 | ||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 556,452 | 390,038 | |||
| 1,816,614 | 1,645,635 | ||||
| Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year | 14 | (1,032,797) | (935,521) | ||
| Net current assets | 783,817 | 710,114 | |||
| Total assets less current liabilities | 3,942,995 | 3,439,571 | |||
| Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year | 14 | (1,030,710) | (435,099) | ||
| Net assets | 2,912,285 | 3,004,472 | |||
| Charity funds | |||||
| Restricted funds | 17 | 442,374 | 309,865 | ||
| Unrestricted funds | |||||
| General reserve | 18 | 1,421,952 | 1,646,648 | ||
| Revaluation reserve | 18 | 1,047,959 | 1,047,959 | ||
| Total charity funds | 2,912,285 | 3,004,472 |
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
The financial statements on pages 16 to 33 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 19 August 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
......................................... C D Lindsay Chairman
The notes on pages 19 to 33 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 17
Autism Plus Limited
Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | £ | £ | ||||
| Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||
| Net cash expenditure | (92,187) | (292,407) | ||||
| Adjustments to cash flows from non-cash items | ||||||
| Depreciation | 231,458 | 243,585 | ||||
| Investment income | (13,094) | - | ||||
| Loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets | 77,915 | - | ||||
| 204,092 | (48,822) | |||||
| Working capital adjustments | ||||||
| Increase in stocks | 12 | (24,642) | (5,151) | |||
| Decrease in debtors | 13 | 20,077 | 96,122 | |||
| Increase/(decrease) in creditors | 14 | 92,211 | (349,865) | |||
| Net cash flows from operating activities | 291,738 | (307,716) | ||||
| Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||
| Interest receivable and similar income | 13,094 | - | ||||
| Purchase of tangible fixed assets | 9 | (745,214) | (150,001) | |||
| Sale of tangible fixed assets | 6,120 | - | ||||
| Net cash flows from investing activities | (726,000) | (150,001) | ||||
| Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||
| Value of new loans obtained during the period | 652,149 | - | ||||
| Repayment of loans and borrowings | 14 | (43,843) | (40,231) | |||
| Repayment of finance lease obligations | 20 | (7,630) | (7,630) | |||
| Net cash flows from financing activities | 600,676 | (47,861) | ||||
| Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 166,414 | (505,578) | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at 1 April | 390,038 | 895,616 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March | 556,452 | 390,038 |
The notes on pages 19 to 33 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 18
Autism Plus Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
1 Accounting policies
The following accounting policies have been used consistently in dealing with items which are considered material to the charitable company’s affairs.
Statutory information
Autism Plus Limited is a company (No. 02098193) and charity (No. 518591) domiciled in England and Wales The address of its registered office is: Exchange Brewery, 2 Bridge Street, Sheffield, S3 8NS.
Basis of preparation
Autism Plus Limited 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 notes.
Statement of compliance
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 (FRS 102)) (issued in October 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Consolidation
Autism Plus Limited is exempt from preparing group accounts as the financial impact of its subsidiary, The Adsetts Partnership, is not considered to be material.
Going concern
The trustees believe it is appropriate to prepare these financial statements on a going concern basis. The trustees have taken note of the guidance issued by the Financial Reporting Council on Going Concern Assessments in determining that this is the appropriate basis of preparation of the financial statements and have considered a number of factors. The trustees have prepared forecasts covering the period to March 2028.
The Charity meets its day-to-day working capital requirements and, following the completion of the sales of properties in the financial year ended 31 March 2019 has unrestricted cash and investment reserves available. The current economic conditions continue to create uncertainty over both the level of demand for the Charity’s services and the availability of bank finance if required in the future. However, the Charity’s forecasts and projections, taking account of reasonably possible changes in the nature and level of activities, show that the Charity is expected to operate within its current facilities for the foreseeable future. Sensitivities have been applied to the forecast to consider potential future scenarios, including reduction in revenue and increases in costs, and the Charity is forecast to remain with its existing resources in each of the reasonable sensitivities considered.
After making enquiries and reviewing the cash flow forecasts to March 2028, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, being a period of at least 12 months following the approval of these financial statements. The Charity therefore continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
Page 19
Autism Plus Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
1 Accounting policies (continued)
Income
Donations and gifts
Donations, gifts and legacies are included in the statement of financial activities when it is probable that the income will be received and all conditions will be met.
Grants receivable
Revenue grants are credited as income when they are receivable provided conditions have been complied with.
Grants for the purchase of fixed assets are credited to restricted income when receivable. Depreciation on the fixed assets purchased with such grants is charged against the restricted fund.
Income received for employment services is recognised on a monthly service level agreement basis and also as outcomes are achieved.
Investment income
Investment income is recognised when receivable.
Income from charitable trading activities and other income
Income is the total amount receivable by the Charity for goods supplied and services provided.
Charity shop income
Where a gift has been received in kind, the income is included in the accounting period in which the gift is sold. The basis of valuation of gifts in kind is that of the realised income.
Expenditure
Expenditure, which is charged on an accrual basis, is allocated between:
-
Expenditure incurred in the delivery of its activities and services. It includes both direct costs and costs incurred of an indirect nature necessary to support them (cost of providing care and employment services);
-
Expenditure relating to the running of the charity shops (costs of operating charity shop);
-
Expenditure incurred directly in an effort to raise voluntary contributions (costs of generating voluntary income); and
-
Expenditure associated with meeting the conditional and statutory requirements of the Charity, including audit fees and strategic management expenditure (governance).
Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.
Fund accounting
Restricted funds are to be used for specified purposes laid down by the donor. Expenditure for those purposes is charged to this fund.
Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources received or generated for expenditure on the general objectives of the Charity at the discretion of the trustees.
Page 20
Autism Plus Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
1 Accounting policies (continued)
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost or valuation less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Individual fixed assets costing more than £500 are capitalised.
Depreciation is calculated to write down the cost less estimated residual value of all tangible fixed assets held for charity use other than freehold land by equal annual instalments over their expected useful lives. The rates generally applicable are:
Depreciation and amortisation
Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:
| Asset class | Depreciation method and rate |
|---|---|
| Freehold property | 2% straight line |
| Short leasehold property and other property improvements | 10% straight line |
| Equipment and motor vehicles | 20 - 33.33% straight line |
| Fixtures, fittings and furniture | 20% straight line |
Investment properties
Investment properties are revalued at the year end to market value based on professional or management’s valuation. The change in fair value is recognised through the statement of financial activities.
Investments
Investments are held at market value. When investments are unlisted companies and the market value cannot be readily obtained, the trustees have chosen to leave the value of investments at cost as they do not consider the market value to be significantly different.
Financial instruments
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the entity after deducting all of its financial liabilities.
When the contractual obligations of financial instruments are equivalent to a similar debt instrument, those financial instruments are classed as financial instruments. Financial liabilities are presented as such in the balance sheet. Finance costs and gains or losses relating to a financial liabilities are included in the Statement of Financial Activities. Finance costs are calculated so as to produce a constant rate of return on the outstanding liability.
Pensions
The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the Charity to the fund in respect of the year.
Redundancy and termination payments
All redundancy and termination payments, including ex-gratia payments and amounts in lieu of notice are charged or accrued as incurred.
Page 21
Autism Plus Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
1 Accounting policies (continued)
Judgements in applying accounting policies and key sources of estimation uncertainty
Preparation of the financial statements requires management to make significant judgements and estimates. The items in the financial statements where these judgements and estimates have been made to include:
Valuation of investment properties
In assessing the fair value of assets, the trustees have used their judgement in selecting suitable valuation methods and inputs.
Useful economic lives of fixed assets
The trustees have applied their judgement in estimating the useful economic lives of assets. Any changes in estimates are recognised through an adjustment to the assets depreciation charge in the statement of financial activities.
Provisions
The trustees have applied judgement in estimating the amount of provision to be held against debtors in respect of bad debts.
2 Income
All of the income for the charitable company was attributable to the United Kingdom.
3 Analysis of total expenditure
| Cost of | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| operating | Cost of | |||||||||||||
| charity | providing | |||||||||||||
| shops | care | Governance | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||||||||
| Costs directly allocated to | ||||||||||||||
| activities | ||||||||||||||
| Staff costs | 169,973 | 9,030,898 | - | 9,200,871 | 9,603,982 | |||||||||
| Auditor's remuneration | - | - | 27,996 | 27,996 | 28,758 | |||||||||
| Other direct costs | 124,683 | 1,925,118 | - | 2,049,801 | 1,870,650 | |||||||||
| Depreciation and | ||||||||||||||
| impairment | 2,260 | 229,198 | - | 231,458 | 242,793 | |||||||||
| 296,916 | 11,185,214 | 27,996 | 11,510,126 | 11,746,183 | ||||||||||
| Support costs allocated | ||||||||||||||
| to activities | ||||||||||||||
| Office and finance staff | - | 1,370,864 | 14,490 | 1,385,354 | 1,196,807 | |||||||||
| Other support costs | - | 524,158 | - | 524,158 | 702,899 | |||||||||
| - | 1,895,022 | 14,490 | 1,909,512 | 1,899,706 | ||||||||||
| Total expenditure | 296,916 | 13,080,236 | 42,486 | 13,419,638 | 13,645,889 |
Page 22
Autism Plus Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
4 Net incoming/outgoing resources
Net outgoing resources for the year include:
| 4 Net incoming/outgoing resources Net outgoing resources for the year include: |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Depreciation of fixed assets - Owned by the charity | 227,506 | 239,633 | |
| Depreciation of fixed assets - Held under finance lease | 3,952 | 3,952 | |
| Auditor’s remuneration - Audit services | 22,050 | 21,000 | |
| Auditor’s remuneration - Other non-audit services | 5,250 | 5,000 | |
| Loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets | 77,915 | - | |
| Operating leases | 139,498 | 148,244 | |
| Irrecoverable VAT | 294,127 | 546,090 | |
| Bad debt expense | 22,970 | 5,196 |
5 Net interest
Net outgoing resources for the year include:
| 5 Net interest Net outgoing resources for the year include: |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| On bank loans and overdraft | 49,037 | 53,259 | |
| Finance loan interest | 2,052 | 2,052 | |
| Other interest payable | 27,149 | - | |
| 78,238 | 55,311 |
6 Trustees remuneration and expenses
No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charitable company during the year (2024: £Nil).
No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses from the charity during the year (2024: 0).
7 Staff costs
The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:
| 7 Staff costs The aggregate payroll costs were as follows: |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Wages and salaries | 8,759,047 | 8,417,530 | |||
| Social security costs | 644,425 | 711,869 | |||
| Pension costs | 209,651 | 212,674 | |||
| 9,613,123 | 9,342,073 | ||||
| Agency staff | 973,101 | 1,591,138 | |||
| 10,586,224 | 10,933,211 |
Page 23
Autism Plus Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
7 Staff costs (continued)
The monthly average number of persons (including senior management) employed by the charitable company during the year expressed as full time equivalents was as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | No | ||||
| Social enterprises | 29 | 24 | |||
| Care | 214 | 204 | |||
| Administration | 44 | 42 | |||
| 287 | 270 | ||||
| Employees earning £60,000 or more per annum were as follows: | |||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| No | No | ||||
| £60,001 - £70,000 | - | 1 | |||
| £70,001 - £80,000 | 2 | 2 | |||
| £80,001 - £90,000 | 1 | 1 | |||
| £90,001 - £100,000 | - | - | |||
| £100,001 - £110,000 | - | - | |||
| £110,001 - £120,000 | - | - | |||
| £120,001 - £130,000 | 1 | 1 |
The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charitable company were £546,963 (2024 - £572,723). The key management personnel of the charity comprise the trustees and the Senior Management Team, which at the year end comprises the staff members listed below.
Chief Executive Officer Managing Director Director of Finance & Resources Head of Recruitment Head of Care Operations Head of Digital Transformation
Autism Plus made payments totalling £14,212 (2024: £39,000) into defined contribution pension schemes for 6 (2024: 6) of these employees.
Pension costs are allocated between activities and between restricted and unrestricted funds on the basis of staff time.
8 Pensions
The charity operates a defined contribution pension plan for the benefit of its employees. The pension cost charged in the year was £209,651 (2024: £212,674). The pension creditor at the year-end was £61,666 (2024: £64,692).
Page 24
Autism Plus Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
9 Tangible fixed assets
| Short | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| leasehold | |||||||||||||||||
| Head | property | Equipment | Fixtures, | ||||||||||||||
| office | Freehold | and other | and | fittings | |||||||||||||
| freehold | land and | property | motor | and | |||||||||||||
| property* | buildings | improvements | vehicles | furniture | Total | ||||||||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||||||||||
| Cost | |||||||||||||||||
| At 1 April 2024 | 1,434,343 | 623,123 | 667,351 | 1,277,160 | 288,817 | 4,290,794 | |||||||||||
| Additions | - | 685,119 | 21,702 | 20,687 | 17,706 | 745,214 | |||||||||||
| Disposals | - | (15,722) | (547,914) | (60,105) | (47,511) | (671,252) | |||||||||||
| At 31 March 2025 | 1,434,343 | 1,292,520 | 141,139 | 1,237,742 | 259,012 | 4,364,756 | |||||||||||
| Depreciation | |||||||||||||||||
| At 1 April 2024 | 57,778 | 228,266 | 529,350 | 1,064,133 | 247,467 | 2,126,994 | |||||||||||
| Charge for the | |||||||||||||||||
| year | 19,259 | 20,059 | 32,453 | 142,402 | 17,285 | 231,458 | |||||||||||
| Eliminated on | |||||||||||||||||
| disposals | - | (4,258) | (485,487) | (50,153) | (47,319) | (587,217) | |||||||||||
| At 31 March 2025 | 77,037 | 244,067 | 76,316 | 1,156,382 | 217,433 | 1,771,235 | |||||||||||
| Net book value | |||||||||||||||||
| At 31 March 2025 | 1,357,306 | 1,048,453 | 64,823 | 81,360 | 41,579 | 2,593,521 | |||||||||||
| At 31 March 2024 | 1,376,565 | 394,857 | 138,001 | 213,027 | 41,350 | 2,163,800 |
All tangible fixed assets were used for charitable purposes.
At 31 March 2025 the net book value of assets held on finance lease was £26,921 (2024: £30,873). Depreciation of £3,952 (2024: £5,952) has been charged against these in the year.
The head office freehold property was formally valued on 10 June 2021 by Banks Long & Co, who are a RICS registered valuer. The basis of valuation was market value on an existing use basis.
If the head office freehold property had not been included at valuation it would have been included under the historic cost convention as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||||
| Cost | 707,651 | 707,651 | |||
| Accumulated depreciation | (199,114) | (184,961) | |||
| Net book value | 508,537 | 522,690 |
- The head office property is split into two components. One is the space used for charitable purposes and the other is the investment property space not used directly by the charity.
Page 25
Autism Plus Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
10 Investment property
Investment properties
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| 565,657 | 565,657 |
The freehold investment property was formally valued on 10 June 2021 by Banks Long & Co, who are a RICS registered valuer. The basis of valuation was market value on an existing use basis.
11 Investment in subsidiary
Total £ Cost of shares in subsidiary undertakings - At 1 April 2024 and at 31 March 2025
Autism Plus is the sole legal member of The Adsetts Partnership (Company number: 07065318), a company limited by guarantee, incorporated in England. At 31 March 2025 the aggregate share capital and reserves of The Adsetts Partnership was £nil and the profit for the year ended 31 March 2025 was £nil. The principal activity of The Adsetts Partnership is to provide contractual services for Autism Plus.
Autism Plus is the sole legal member of Ampleforth Plus Limited (Company number: 10701472), a company limited by guarantee, incorporated in England. At 31 March 2025, the aggregate share capital and reserves of Ampleforth Plus Limited was £nil and the profit for the year ended 31 March 2025 was £nil. The company did not trade in the year.
12 Stock
| 12 Stock | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Stocks | 55,760 | 31,118 | ||
| 13 Debtors | ||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Trade debtors | 531,666 | 638,601 | ||
| Amount owed by group undertakings | 42,864 | 9,651 | ||
| Prepayments and accrued income | 629,872 | 576,227 | ||
| 1,204,402 | 1,224,479 |
Page 26
Autism Plus Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
14 Creditors
| 14 Creditors | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Note | £ | £ | ||||
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | ||||||
| Borrowings | 15 | 48,616 | 43,551 | |||
| Trade creditors | 335,000 | 407,998 | ||||
| Other taxation and social security | 158,016 | 180,266 | ||||
| Accruals | 403,949 | 258,777 | ||||
| Deferred income | 79,586 | 37,299 | ||||
| Amounts due under hire purchase agreements | 7,630 | 7,630 | ||||
| 1,032,797 | 935,521 | |||||
| Creditors: amounts falling due after one year | ||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| £ | £ | |||||
| Borrowings | 15 | 1,024,352 | 421,111 | |||
| Amounts due under hire purchase agreements | 6,358 | 13,988 | ||||
| 1,030,710 | 435,099 | |||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| £ | £ | |||||
| Finance leases are repayable by instalments as follows: | ||||||
| Due within one year | 7,630 | 7,630 | ||||
| Due within one to two years | 6,358 | 13,988 | ||||
| 13,988 | 21,618 | |||||
| 15 Borrowings | ||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| £ | £ | |||||
| Bank loans | 420,819 | 464,662 | ||||
| Other loans | 652,149 | - | ||||
| 1,072,968 | 464,662 |
Security
The bank loans are secured by means of a first legal charge over freehold property known as Exchange Brewery, 2 Bridge Street, Sheffield and is an unlimited debenture incorporating a fixed charge.
The other loans are secured by means of a first legal charge over freehold property known as Bradbury House, Market Flat Lane, Knaresborough and is an unlimited debenture incorporating a fixed charge.
Page 27
Autism Plus Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
16 Deferred income
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||||
| Deferred | income at 1 April 2024 | 37,299 | 63,455 | |||
| Amounts | deferred in the year | 79,586 | 37,299 | |||
| Amounts | released to income | (37,299) | (63,455) | |||
| Deferred | income at year end | 79,586 | 37,299 |
Deferred income comprises amounts which have been invoiced in advance and relate to future accounting periods.
Page 28
Autism Plus Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
17 Restricted funds
| Restricted funds | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance | Balance at | |||||||||||||
| at 1 April | Incoming | Resources | 31 March | |||||||||||
| 2024 | resources | expended | Transfers | 2025 | ||||||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||||||||
| Acorns | 220 | - | - | - | 220 | |||||||||
| Alexandra Street | 253 | - | - | - | 253 | |||||||||
| Ashcroft Cottage | 814 | - | - | - | 814 | |||||||||
| Bellwood | 120 | - | - | - | 120 | |||||||||
| Bradmere | 2,816 | - | - | - | 2,816 | |||||||||
| Brambles | 2,488 | 449 | (1,041) | - | 1,896 | |||||||||
| Church View | 283 | (25) | - | - | 258 | |||||||||
| Darleys | 557 | - | (25) | - | 532 | |||||||||
| Easingwold | 51 | - | - | - | 51 | |||||||||
| Easiworks | 24,237 | - | - | - | 24,237 | |||||||||
| FPA Central | 3,727 | - | (125) | - | 3,602 | |||||||||
| Future Plus Appeal Hull | 3,000 | - | - | - | 3,000 | |||||||||
| Hillcrest | 131 | - | - | - | 131 | |||||||||
| Hull CC Capital | 2,444 | - | - | - | 2,444 | |||||||||
| Housley Mews | 557 | (200) | (25) | - | 332 | |||||||||
| INGS Centre | 42,621 | - | - | - | 42,621 | |||||||||
| Mayfield | 501 | - | - | - | 501 | |||||||||
| Park House Farm | 34,042 | 1,116 | - | - | 35,158 | |||||||||
| Bradbury House | 45,941 | 121,500 | - | - | 167,441 | |||||||||
| Queen Street | 12 | - | - | - | 12 | |||||||||
| Retreats | 223 | - | - | - | 223 | |||||||||
| Rusholme | 164 | - | - | - | 164 | |||||||||
| SEIF | 129,649 | - | - | - | 129,649 | |||||||||
| Training Enterprise | 14,685 | - | - | - | 14,685 | |||||||||
| Wildwinds | 169 | - | - | - | 169 | |||||||||
| Willows | 160 | 1,607 | (655) | - | 1,112 | |||||||||
| Chocolate shop café | - | 170 | - | - | 170 | |||||||||
| Two Ridings | - | 13,500 | (5,950) | - | 7,550 | |||||||||
| Tween Bridge Wind Farm - | ||||||||||||||
| Brambles | - | 5,000 | (2,787) | - | 2,213 | |||||||||
| Inclusion Grant | - | 915 | (915) | - | - | |||||||||
| NYCC Grant | - | 69 | - | (69) | - | |||||||||
| NHS Digital Records | - | 8,255 | - | (8,255) | - | |||||||||
| DMBC Community Grant - | ||||||||||||||
| Nook | - | 3,000 | (2,336) | (664) | - | |||||||||
| 309,865 | 155,356 | (13,859) | (8,988) | 442,374 |
Page 29
Autism Plus Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
17 Restricted funds (continued)
| Balance | Balance at | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| at 1 April | Incoming | Resources | 31 March | |||||||||||
| 2023 | resources | expended | Transfers | 2024 | ||||||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||||||||
| Acorns | 220 | - | - | - | 220 | |||||||||
| Alexandra Street | 253 | - | - | - | 253 | |||||||||
| Ashcroft Cottage | 814 | 2,570 | (2,570) | - | 814 | |||||||||
| BBO Project | - | 12,258 | - | (12,258) | - | |||||||||
| Bellwood | 120 | - | - | - | 120 | |||||||||
| Bradmere | 2,483 | 333 | - | - | 2,816 | |||||||||
| Brambles | 1,111 | 2,200 | (183) | (640) | 2,488 | |||||||||
| Church View | 1,136 | - | (213) | (640) | 283 | |||||||||
| Darleys | 708 | - | (213) | 62 | 557 | |||||||||
| Easingwold | 51 | - | - | - | 51 | |||||||||
| Easiworks | 24,237 | - | - | - | 24,237 | |||||||||
| FPA Central | 330 | 6,423 | (670) | (2,356) | 3,727 | |||||||||
| Future Plus Appeal Hull | 3,000 | - | - | - | 3,000 | |||||||||
| Hillcrest | 131 | - | - | - | 131 | |||||||||
| Hull CC Capital | 2,444 | - | - | - | 2,444 | |||||||||
| Housley Mews | 557 | - | (213) | 213 | 557 | |||||||||
| INGS Centre | 42,621 | - | - | - | 42,621 | |||||||||
| Mayfield | 501 | - | - | - | 501 | |||||||||
| Park House Farm | 22,860 | 24,454 | (7,634) | (5,638) | 34,042 | |||||||||
| Park House Farm - Bradbury | 54,005 | - | (75) | (7,989) | 45,941 | |||||||||
| Queen Street | 12 | - | - | - | 12 | |||||||||
| Retreats | 223 | - | - | - | 223 | |||||||||
| Rusholme | 164 | - | - | - | 164 | |||||||||
| SEIF | 133,155 | - | - | (3,506) | 129,649 | |||||||||
| Thriving at work | - | 19,441 | (19,441) | - | - | |||||||||
| Training Enterprise | 8,519 | 42,615 | (36,449) | - | 14,685 | |||||||||
| Wildwinds | 169 | - | - | - | 169 | |||||||||
| Willows | 1,013 | - | (213) | (640) | 160 | |||||||||
| Ballantyne | - | 16,588 | (6,446) | (10,142) | - | |||||||||
| Wakefield Project | - | 35,328 | (35,328) | - | - | |||||||||
| 300,837 | 162,210 | (109,648) | (43,534) | 309,865 |
Page 30
Autism Plus Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
17 Restricted funds (continued)
SEIF Fund Grant was received to purchase land, equipment, and development of a social enterprise market garden in Sheffield.
Easiworks includes a restricted donation from Co-Op Community of £5,000 for the development of the service.
The Park House Farm - Capital Appeal is for the redevelopment and extension of the building on site.
The remaining funds relate to various restricted donations and grants to be used for specific projects or services.
18 Unrestricted funds
| 18 Unrestricted funds | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at | Balance at | |||||||||||||
| 1 April | Incoming | Resources | 31 March | |||||||||||
| 2024 | resources | expended | Transfers | 2025 | ||||||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||||||||
| Unrestricted funds | 1,646,648 | 13,166,345 | (13,400,029) | 8,988 | 1,421,952 | |||||||||
| Revaluation reserve | ||||||||||||||
| Investment property | 260,657 | - | - | - | 260,657 | |||||||||
| Fixed assets | 787,302 | - | - | - | 787,302 | |||||||||
| 1,047,959 | - | - | - | 1,047,959 | ||||||||||
| Total unrestricted funds | 2,694,607 | 13,166,345 | (13,400,029) | 8,988 | 2,469,911 | |||||||||
| Balance at | Balance at | |||||||||||||
| 1 April | Incoming | Resources | 31 March | |||||||||||
| 2023 | resources | expended | Transfers | 2024 | ||||||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||||||||
| Unrestricted funds | 1,948,083 | 13,191,272 | (13,536,241) | 43,534 | 1,646,648 | |||||||||
| Revaluation reserve | ||||||||||||||
| Investment property | 260,657 | - | - | - | 260,657 | |||||||||
| Fixed assets | 787,302 | - | - | - | 787,302 | |||||||||
| 1,047,959 | - | - | - | 1,047,959 | ||||||||||
| Total unrestricted funds | 2,996,042 | 13,191,272 | (13,536,241) | 43,534 | 2,694,607 |
Page 31
Autism Plus Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
19 Analysis of net assets between funds
| 19 Analysis of net assets between funds | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | |||||||
| fund | funds | Total | ||||||
| £ | £ | £ | ||||||
| 2025 | ||||||||
| Tangible fixed assets | 3,014,556 | 144,622 | 3,159,178 | |||||
| Current assets | 1,518,862 | 297,752 | 1,816,614 | |||||
| Current liabilities | (1,032,797) | - | (1,032,797) | |||||
| Long term liabilities | (1,030,710) | - | (1,030,710) | |||||
| Total net assets | 2,469,911 | 442,374 | 2,912,285 | |||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | |||||||
| fund | funds | Total | ||||||
| £ | £ | £ | ||||||
| 2024 | ||||||||
| Tangible fixed assets | 2,532,453 | 197,004 | 2,729,457 | |||||
| Current assets | 1,532,774 | 112,861 | 1,645,635 | |||||
| Current liabilities | (935,521) | - | (935,521) | |||||
| Creditors over 1 year | (435,099) | - | (435,099) | |||||
| Total net assets | 2,694,607 | 309,865 | 3,004,472 |
20 Financial commitments
Operating lease commitments
Total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:
| Land & | Land & | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| buildings | Other | buildings | Other | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | 2024 | ||||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||||||
| Within one year | 73,837 | 23,581 | 87,680 | 47,806 | |||||||
| Between one and five years | 85,017 | 45,201 | 200,409 | 65,242 | |||||||
| After five years | - | 3,540 | - | 7,451 | |||||||
| 158,854 | 72,322 | 288,089 | 120,499 |
Page 32
Autism Plus Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)
21 Analysis of net debt
| 21 Analysis of net debt | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 1 April | At 31 March | ||||||||
| 2024 | Cash flow | Transfers | 2025 | ||||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 390,038 | 166,414 | - | 556,452 | |||||
| Bank overdraft | - | - | - | - | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 390,038 | 166,414 | - | 556,452 | |||||
| Borrowings due within one year | (43,551) | 43,843 | (48,908) | (48,616) | |||||
| Borrowings due after one year | (421,111) | (652,149) | 48,908 | (1,024,352) | |||||
| Finance leases and hire | |||||||||
| purchase contracts | (21,618) | 7,630 | - | (13,988) | |||||
| (486,280) | (600,676) | - | (1,086,956) | ||||||
| Net debt | (96,242) | (434,262) | - | (530,504) |
22 Ultimate controlling party
The ultimate controlling party is the board of directors.
23 Transactions with related parties
There were no transaction with Trustees other than those noted in note 6.
The Adsetts Partnership is a subsidiary of Autism Plus Limited. During the year The Adsetts Partnership received income of £2,635,963 (2024: £2,481,003) on behalf of Autism Plus Limited. Gift aid of £nil (2024: £nil) was made to Autism Plus during the year.
At the year end date, the Charity was owed £42,864 (2024: £9,652) from The Adsetts Partnership.
Page 33