SOLAS CONTENTS Page Trustees, report Independent auditor's report Stalement of financial aclivities Balance sheet Statement of cash flows Notes to the financial stalemenls 10
SOLAS TRUSTEES, REPORT {INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024 The Trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2024. Tlie financial statements have been prepared in aGGordance with the accounting policies set oul in note 1 to the financial statements and coniply with the charity's governing documenl, the Companies Act 2006 and 'AcGounling and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable lo charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 20161. Objeclives and activitles The charity's objectives are to,. Advance health and wellbeing. educalion and development, with particular reference lo those children with spe¢ial needs currently falling outside the statutory provision: Provide 'palhways' to services which vulnerable families may not normally be able to access., Support families who engage with Solas, and build a strong physical and practice infrastructure which will provide consistent, quality care and support: Ensure thal the voices of childrenlyoung people wilh mild to severe learning disabilities are heard and that their voices shape and influence the development of government policies and mainstream services., Increase the visibility of childrenlyoung people, their par8nlslcarers and siblings and ensuring their full participation in communlty life., Lobby and advocate for increased bespoke services for families Ihrough representation on all key committees, steering groups and bodies with the potential to support our work; Train highly skilled staff to promote our commitment to excellence, worf<ing wilh academic inslitulions, voluntary agencies and statutory bodies to ensure that our practice and experience contributes to research and evaluations which work towards improving practice- Develop a team of dedicated volunteers who use their skillslexperience in schools, ensuring children are supported to have an opbmum education experience. Current services Include: (1) Childcare l Youth & Respite Services (including Aflerschools l Resp'te Support, afternoons, evenings and weekends, Saturday Clubs. Sibling Clubs. Youth clubs, Summer & holiday schemes. These interventions primarily focus on ensuring that those with disabililies experience Ihe same opportunities for inclusion in the community as other young people. They also facililate parents who need childcare, as well as parents who need respile support. (2) Home Support & Therapeutic Services - providing Home Support, information and praclical support for parents of children in the process of a diagnosis or. wilh a recent diagnosis; Parent Programs, Parent Advice. Providing Therapeutic SerVis for childrenlyoung people and their parentslcarers including play therapy, art therapy, counselling and well-being aclivities for adult carers I parents as well as young carers. These inlervenlions primarily focus on supporting children and young people with disabilities including autism. and their parents I carers, who feel isolated, alone and are experiencing mental health issues. (3) Early Years Programme - Supporting children and families through Play & Stay right up to Pre-school. solas is the lead partner in the Special Education Needs. Belfast Wide Early Years IBWEY) Initiative, including the following partners, Glenbrook Surestart, Kids Together Belfast, Easl Belfast Surestart and Solas. Our BWEY Seedlings 2-3 year old development program and our BWEY Sunflowers 34 year old programme for children wilh disabilities, supports 30 children each year. In Sept 2023, we were invited by the DE lo deliver a SEN pre-school provision for children with disabilities and with a Statement of Educational Need in place.
SOLAS TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024 {4) Educalional Progiammes-. Programmes targeting children with mild additsonal needs and not achieving theii full learnirsg potential (Back on Track Program), as well as Educational Workshops (5} Young Adulls Programme SONA - for young adults transitioning I leaving Special School - a day seNiGe, that provides opportunities for develop life skills. offer wellbeing and social opportunities and a safe supported space for young people with disabilities to be with their peers. The policies adopted in furtherance of these objects are. Enhance the physical infrastructure of the organisation ensuring that facilities are fit for purpose and designed to best meet the complex needs of many of the Servi users supported. In the past year we have developed a new programme SONA, and hired a new space at the YMCA site in Slranmillis, which we developed for young adults transitioning from Special School. This programme supports young people with life skills. cookery, independence skills, healthy ealing and wellbeing, exercise. social skills. trips. etc 2. Consolidate and slrengthen the organisation's services, expand the capacity of solas to deliver vital programmes to children, young people and their families, and to ensure the long-term sustainability of the organisalion through creating a business model which is robust and reduces their current dependency upon grant funding. 3. Work collaboralively with a diverse range of organisations, all of which contribute to the delivery of effective services, primarily to benefit children and young people with additional needs across Belfast. In particular, Solas works with 3 key partnerships. South Belfast Sureslart (through the Early Years and Urban Village A Place STEP programme; and the Belfast Wide Early Years (BWEYI partnership led by solas. We also collaborate on youth programmes with Kids Together. a similar disability setvice organisation to solas operating in Wesl Belfast. 4. Promote excellence in their practice - solas works closely with all Belfast based Universities and Teacher Training Colleges. séias currently offers placement opportunities to students from QUB, Stranmillis, St Marys & UUJ studying a number of degree programmes (including health & social care, psychology, education, masters in autism, and masters in atypical child development). Many of the students who come to solas on placement are retained as staff memberslvolunteers. 5. Tackle disadvantages experienced by children and young people with moderate to severe learning needs who experience an acute lack of choice or oplions throughout their lives when trying to aCsS appropriate seNices', through delivery of early years and daycare services, afterschool provision. youth services and educational support. 6. Grow organically and continue to develop a diverse range of programmes. projects and activities which meet the needs of the whole family; the group currently deliver their serviS across 8 settings, the majority of which are located in areas of greatest disadvantage. 7. Generate income through Social Enterprise activits'es delivered through access to Self- Directed Support Packages. Self- Directed support is the provision of tailored individual support packages for children and young people with severe learning difficulties and disabilities Children and young people in this category are eligible to access direct payments from the Belfast Healih and Social Care Trust and can use it to buy in the support they feel is most needed to improve their quality of life and provides benefit to them personally. solas provides self-direcled support services and also offers administrative support to families to aCsS Ihe scheme.
SOLAS TRUSTEES, REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024 8. Childcare l Youth and Respile Services - these SeICe$ focuses upon children aged 5 to 18 years old and as per core mission, targets those children with the most complex and challenging needs. It provides a valuable childcare service for working parents, and respite for those parents who desperately need support. These services are tailored and based Lipon the needs of each individual child l young person with suitable staffing support in place as per organisational policies and experience. g. Engage with Parenlslcarers to enhance services-. solas engages with parents and carers on a daily basis in relation to Ihe needs of both their children and themselves. The feedback and information they provide is vital to the ongoing success of the organisation. Paienlslcarers inform the development and enhancement of core programmes and activities. Parentslcarers readily support evaluations. research and frequently represent the needs of th8ir child{ren)lorganisalion to funders. politicians and statutory aulhorities. 10. Engage with Staff - Engagement with our slaff team is critical. The feedback and input they make lo ensure delivery of high-quality service and piovision is vital to the day to day running of the organisation. 11. Engage the Local CommunitylBusinesses to provide support to the organisation: this helps us create an extended welcoming and safe environment for the childrentyoung people and parentslcarers who use our facilities. 12. Community Organisations - solas works extensively and engages wth a diverse range of communily organisations. We are part of the Ulidia Campus Plans. which includes solas, Rosario Football Club as well as Scoil an Droichid (primary school moving to the newly refurbished Ulidia School site adjoining Solas and the Ulidia Playing Fields). The campus partners have been working together for several years to deliver services to the community and to maximise the use of the community resources that we collectively hold. 13. We also work closely with Forward South Partnership and South Belfast Surestart, with whom we have service delivery partnerships. In addition we hire rooms from, YMCA, Mornington, Rosario Youth Club, Village Church Haypark and Scoil an Droichid to support the delivery of some of our community ser¥ices. 14. Local Schools - solas and local schools engage on a daily basis in the best interests of the childrenlyoung people attending the organisation. Their services are inlerdependent and necessary to create the best possible development and educational opportunities for the children who allend their facilities. Schools understand the challenges of providing safe and consistent care for children who need stability in order to thrive. Schools support and understand the need for this project. 15. Belfast Trust and DE - solas has engaged from the outset wrth key statutory agencies in developing the services which are so important to so many families. Positive engagemenl is essential lo the ongoing and continued work of solas. The Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charily Commission in deciding what activities the Charity should undertake.
TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024 Achievements and performance Solas has experienced another year of gr0h. responding to the increasing demand for care I respite, educational support, developmental programmes, therapeutic services and home support. across Belfasl and further afield. The establishment of our young adults transition programme, SONA, has been further developed in Ihe year. and is supporting a growing number of young people coming through from children's services. Many of these young people have experienced our children's services and are now at the point of leaving special school and need a bespoke support pro9ramme. SONA endeavours lo help young adults to reach their full potential, by encouraging new skills and further developing existing skills in a holislic and individual way. It includes independent living skills, such as cookery, self-care, laundry, money management etc. It also promotes health & wellbeing, such as physical exercise, healthy eating, art therapy, yoga, mindfulness, and offers all participants social opportunities to enjoy a Tange of leisure and recrealions, such as bowling, swimming, day trips etc with peers. Contracts with the BHSCT demonstrate the growing confidence that the Disability Services al the trusl place on services offered al solas. Cash balances have improved, nel assets have been maintained and the charity is able to maintain a healthy operating surplus. solas received a significant b¢st in the year with securing £250,000 from the Goodman Foundation towards the new £2.5m building development project. A further £250,000 from Goodman FoLJndalion has been guaranteed once the construction starts. Financial Review The results for the year are set out on Ihe Statement of Financial Aclivities. The Trustees consider the financial results satisfactory. S61as has a risk management policy in place under which risks are identified and reviewed by management on a regular basis. Procedures are in pla to manage the risks. It is the policy of the chsrily Ihal unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three- and six-monlh's expendilure. The Trustees consider thal reserves al this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity's current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained Ihroughout the year. The Trustees have assessed Ihe major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024 Structure, governance and management The charity is a company limited by guarantee and is registered as a charity with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. The Company was established under a Memorandum of Association and Is governed by its Articles of Association. The Trustees. who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were: Fionnguala McCotler- Director Chair Tom Doran (resigned 24th Jan. 2024) Emily Gallagher Caitfiona Nic Sheain Lorraine McErlain appointed 71h November 2024 Elaine Holmes Ross Reid resigned 141h Dec 2024 steven Egan appointed 7. November 2024 Mairead Mccartan Jean McGann Joanne Mercer None of the Trustees have any beneficial interest in the company. All of the Trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up. The directors of the company are also charity Trustees for the purposes of Charity Law. Under Ihe requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association directors are elecled at an Annual General Meeting by the members (in person, or through an authorised represenlative or by proxy). All new directors receive in-house induction and training appropriate to their roles. solas has a Management Committee, made up of Trustees. The Commiltee meels regularly and are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity. The day-to-day responsibility for the provision of the services rests with the manager and the senior management leam. AudStor The Board of solas approved appointment of Keamey & Co as their auditor for the year. The Trustees, report was approved by the Board of Trustees. Fionnguala Mccotter Trustee Dated..
SOLAS TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS, REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024 statement of Trustees. Responslblllties The Trustees, who are also the dirèclors of Solas for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees. Report and the financial statements in accordance wilh applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company Law require5 the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the slate of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including tlie income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistenlly., obSee the methods and principles in the Chaiities SORP. make judgements and estimates that a reasonable and prudent,. and prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operats'on. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disdose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply wilh the Companies Act 20Q6. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Audllor Each of the persons who is a Trustee al the date of approval of this report confirms that., so far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charity's auditor Is unaware,. and they have taken 811 relevant sleps that they ought lo have taken as Iruslee to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to eslablish that the charity's audilor is aware of that information. Small company provlslons This report has been prepared in accordanGe with Ihe provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies, exemption.
SOLAS INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF SOLAS Oplnlon We have audited the financial statements of Solas (the 'charily') for the year ended 30 June 2024 which comprise the slalement of financial activities, the balance sheet. and the notes lo the Iinancial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards. including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Slai?dard applicable in Ihe UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). In our opinion, Ihe financial statements.. give a true and fair view of the slate of the charitable company's affairs as at 30 June 2024 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, for the year then ended. have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice,. and have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Acl 2006. Basls for oplnlon We conducted our 8udit in accordance wilh International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAS {UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Audilorfs responsibilities for Ihe audil or the financial slatemenls section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical Tequirements Ihat are relevant to our audit of the financial slalements in the UK, including the FRC'S Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe Ihat the audil evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate lo provide a basis for our opinion. Conclusions relatlng to golng concern. In auditing the financial slalements, we have concluded that the Truslees, use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial slalements is appropriate. Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relatin9 lo events or conditions that, individually or collectively. may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability lo continue as a going concern for a period of al least twelve months from when the financial statements are aulhorised for issue. Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respe¢i to going concern are described in Ihe relevant sections of this report. Other Informatlon The olher information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The Trustees are responsible forthe other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does nol cover the other information and, expt to the extent otheise explicilly 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 infomialion is materially inconsistent with the financial statements, or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appeafs to be malerially 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 slatemenls 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 Ihis regard. Opinions on other matters prescrlbed by the Companies Act 2006 In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit= the information given in the Trustees. reporl, which includes Ihe direclois, r8POrt prepared for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements., and the directors, report included within the Trustees. report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.