Harpurs Hill Children and Family Centre Limited Trn_%tte$' report (Including directors, report) For the year ended 31 March 2024 The trustees presenl their report and financial statements for Ihe year ended 31 March 2024. The financial siaten]ents have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note I to the financial statcrncnls and coinply with tlie charity's Memoranduni and Articles of Association, the Companies Act ?006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Chariiies: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing iheir accounts in aceordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 1021" { amended for accounting periods commencing from l January 2019). In lfIllIng the public benefit requirement, the charity trustees have had regard to the Charity Cornmission for Northern Ireland's statutory public benefit guidance. Objectives and activities Harpurs Hill Children and Family Centre is a Community Developrnent Project based in a mixed religion esiaie of approxirnately 640 dwellings on the outskirts of Coleraine. It sit5 within the fomjer Cross Glebe Ward which is ranked as within the top 16ts/0 so¢ial deprivation on the Multiple Deprivation Markers. The original impetus for llie Project came Irom two head teachers of local primary schools and healih professionals in the Coleraine area. The Project was established in 199J to addres5 low levels of prcparcdncss for 5th(1. While it retains a focus on health and educational developmeni of children, the project now puts greater emphasi5 on parents being involved in identifying their own needs. the needs of their Children. and decidints how best to meet those needs. The vision and mission statement of the Project 15 to nurnire stronu resilient childTen and families for today. tomorrow and the future; and to support, strengthen and nurture children and families to reach their full potential. Objectives To nurture young children from bÉrth through the provisiou of high-quality care and l¢amin8environments and lo ensure they reach their full potential. To recognise and support parents in their role as prirnary edueators of their children through home support, parenting pro(Trammes and offerinu hi(yh quality care and leaming environments. To empower parents to seek appropriate advtce and guidance to support their family's developmental needs. To signpost parents to opportunitie5 for peT50nal ond professional development. To provide parents with acce&8 to infonnation to make infonned life choices. To develop an increased sense of ownership and belon¥intr for families within their own corninunity. To work in partnership with all relevant Childcare and family support agencie5. Tlie main areas of activity of the project are-. Community Development including Early Year5 and Family Support All the work of the Project starts from the needs of the community as identified by the mMunIty. Harpurs Hill Children and Family Centre is open to all section5 of the comrnunity and an appropriate equal oppothnities policy is in place alongside a comprehensive policy suite lo ensure good practice and governan¢e. There is a suite of 78 poliLies which are reviewed annually. Vision "To nui.lure strong, resilient children andfamiliesfor toduy. iomorroH.' and thefului'e" Mission 'We endeavour io support. slrengthen andnurture ch¢ldren andfamili¢s to achieve iheirfyllpotential"
Harpurs Hill Children and Family Centre Limited Trustees. report (including direetors, report) For the year ended 31"March 2024 .conttrnued Early Year% Provi$ioTh A Preschool Playgroup 1-2 Year Old Creche (4 days weekly) A Preschool Summer Scheme 2 Surestart Development Programmes for 2-3 year olds 2 Creche% weekly Er).<upport Peer Siipport Gmups & Progrnmmes Stay & Play Sessions Parent Workshops Hom¢ Visits Parent Interviews In 2023-24, the Proje¢t delivered 17 se&sions of EY provision to a total of 57 children weekly in term time in each academic year. with a further 30 children artending Summer Scheme in July and August 2023. This was a total of 616 early years Sessions. In addition to these sessions. Early Years marked events and celebration5 through the year with Halloween and Christmas events, outings to parks. the beach, soft play areas and Santa's Grotto. The Proje¢t delivered Stay & Play sessions monthly to 2-3 YO Programmes and 2 Parents, Workshops in Playgmup. Each playgroup parent also had an opportunity to participate in a full playgroup day. All proDrammes used private messaging apps to keep parents updated with what went on ITr sessions - sharing key photos and messages. All families had home visits. some for inductions and others throughout the year, staff in all sessions mct face to face with parents io update on progress. The Early Years Department received 273 written evaluation5 over the course of the year. and parental feedback was l 00% POSLlive. Parents commented con51Stentiy about the progress their cbildren had made especially in the areas of communication. confidence and socialisation. General parental comments included.. Mv doii¢yhter lios benefitredgreatlyfrom the group, social andphysically. JVY son ha.f really come out ofhunselfandstaried to interacl wilh oihers. My son's speeLli und language has come on massively since s¢or¢ing Ihe programme. He has created.frieiid5hips and looking foiivord io going and seeing his friends. His progre&% has come on so well. veiy happy o17d proud of hi5 aLliievements. Mv son has become a very intelligent independenr little boy. He has especiallv enjoyed the social aspecr but ha* come a long way in the learnintr side too. Everything has been ama"ing. Yoii girls should be so proiid ofthe work that vou do with the knds.. Our Early Years Provision works towards our high-level outcomes of: Children acliievc dcvelopmental progress. Children will have healthier lifestyles. Children have appropriate relationships with each other. family and staff. Parents play with their cftuldren.
Harpmrs Hill Children and Family Centre Llmlted Trustee5' report (including dlreetors. report) For the year ended 31" March 2024 -continued Family Support Service Home Visits by Family Support Workers Phone calls A Women's Peer Support Group A variety of Parenting Programmes including: Incredible Year5-. S¢hool Readiness Cook It Solihull Parenting Programme Baby Swim Nurmring Bespoke Parenting Programmes Signposting to other services for additional support Delivery of Packs & Gifts Settling In Book Startlng School Resources Over the past year, the Family Support Team delivered a total of 2.020 home visits and 651 signific911t phone support 5essioDS to 550 families with children aged O-7 with the focus being on child development and parenting. The team gave out a total of1,421 parenting packs thAs year supporting tK)verty. child development. he8lth and w¢llbein¥. Our number of familits has reduced since the previous year due to a drop in birth rate and we began the process of reducing our Family Support hours accordingly. Alongside the befriending role. there was a strong signposting and partnership element within the Family Support. In 2023124, the Project signposted families a total of 1,643 times to external agencies including.. Health Services, Social Services. housing support. finaneial suppor¢ poverty eharities, home safety, adult trainingleducation. mental health #nd supporting children with additional needs. The Projeci works closely with Surestart, schools and local partners and 972 time5 statTsupported families lo access their services for education, childcare. communiry suppor( cownsellinu, domestic vlolenee, Speech & Language, TrIidwifery. As well as one-to-one supporL the Family Support Team delivered a total of 68 sessions of eviden¢e-based parenting programmes in partnership with CoLeraine Surestart including Cook li Solihull. Incredible Years School Readiness. Baby Swim along with bespoke sessions. In addition to our long-standing weekly Women's Group (wch met ?6 tiines), we introduced further Peer Support including 2 Breakfast Club5 peer support for parent5 Ivlth children with addilional need$. Tlie last IllLludtd Jii¢e¢iiig as a group, aLcumpanying parents to an already established group. delivcring activicies for parenrs and children to do iogether and bringing in speakers to provide relevant information. We also introduced Parent & Child Activity Afternoons with the adjoining primary school. with our family link worker d¢liverinu 9 sessions to P l & 2 and LSI parents and children. Through our peer support and signposting we have supported families to link with a wide variery of organisations including.. Action Mental Health Aware NI
Harpyrs Hill Children And FAmily Centre Limited Trust¢e$' report (ineluding direc¢or5' report) For the year ended 31° March 2024 .continued Vineyard Compassion Causeway Neurodiversity Autism Nl Women's Aid Causeway Coast & Glens Council Cross-Glebe Communlry A&so¢iation We facilitsted Outcome Stsr Evaluations Wlth 48 families. all showing progression in area5 such as physical & emotional health, safety. social networking, routine5 & boundaries. child development and home finances. Parents also reflect on the impact this support has had on thcm. Engaging in support ha5 helped me learn how to ty and deal with ernotions of both me aTJd my child. I bave learned the different age and 5taue of my child's development and where she is at. I have learned lo reflect on myself- tsk¢ more timc to as5e5s my behaviour towards a sityation. I have stopped shopping whilst hungry and it actually WOTked. I never prepped veg before 50 I know l am able to do that: thi5 class helped so much. I felt heard and respected. The work of the Family VisitiDg TeAm contribute5 to the parent outcotnes of: Parents engage with Services and local community. Parents play with their children. n¢reased parent confidence. knowledge and skills around parenting. Increased under5tsnding around health and well-betno leadin8 to a healthier lifestyle Staff In 202)124, the Project employed ?7 staff. both full and part time - l O of these are in the Family Support Team" 14 within the Early Years Team including wilh 'bank staff. 3 Support Staff (finance, admin and cleaning) plus a Projeci Manager. We had some changes in staff. two staff off on long temi sick and challenges relaining our Sessional Creche Bank. Thanks must go to the team who continued lo provide hi¢Fh quab.ty care in their absence. lo the department manaoers who oversaw this and to all those who stepped out of their comfort zones to deliver their area of expertise. We said goodbye to Melissa McCauJern. who left to spend more illme with ber family. and to iN)Ib Judith Moorhead and Tracey Hill who moved to pastures new. Laurd Logan stepped up from our sessional creche to become our Playgroup & Creche Leader and w¢ are able to cover the other posts internally Until the new funCIal year. Premises The purpose-built premise5 at Cuilrath Comer was a resuli of a partnership between the Harpurs Hill Children and Family Centre and NEELB and fundcd by the Childhood Fund- it was officially opened by HIiH the Princess Royal in May 1999. The Centre is set within the hean of Harpurs Hill Estate and enables the Project to provide holistic integrated early years eare and educatiorL for local families within their own community. The Nursery Unit of the adjoining Primary School is housed within this building with the Community Association House directly across the street. The Family Support Team also have staff in 2 other centres across Coleraine io suppon families living there. close w home.
Harpurs Hill Children and Family Centre Lijnited Trnstee.s' repnrt (intluding directh. report) For the year ended 3151 March 2024 .¢otttinued The premises have twice been extended as the Project l?as grown. The Project has extensive outdoor facilities for cliildren'5 learning, and these are developed each year. Our original lease is up in July 2025. and we are in negotiations lo have this extended for a rther 25 years. We continue lo upgrade the building and maintain it to a high level both inside and out, witli essential maintenance for the outdoor area being planned for sumrner ?024. P8rthership The Project works in partnerships within the local community in the following ways: It was established through a partnership between health professionals. 2 nearby primary schools and the local community. It shares a fence with the local Primary School and the building w&% built in parthership with them and houses their Nursery Unit. their principal is Chair of the Project'5 committee and the links are further strengthencd through the Lottery Funded Family Support Service. The Project is one of 5 partners delivering services within or in partnership with Coleraine Surestart Partnership. It is the Lead body for Coleraine Surestar¢ and the Project Manager is the chair. the 04 Family Support Service and Sur¢start Developmental ProJtr allune for 2-3-Year-Olds are both funded by Surc5tart who a150 funded an extension to the pr¢rnises to support these s¢rYic¢s. The Project is a member of the local Family Support Hub. with staff attending monthly meetings and taking referrals where appropriate. Our Project Manager Costs are nded by the Northern Health & Social Care Tnt. It delivers 5ervice5 for the local Education Authority and the Depath¢nt of Ethication. Our Project Manager is Vice Chair of the Northern Childcare Partn¢rship. 4 members of staff and committee are on the commitfre of the local Cross- Glebe Community Association and deliver partn¢rship work wilh them. The Project works closely with Social Services supporting families who are referred as being'at risk,. The Project ha5 ex¢ell¢nt links with Health Professionals - the early years services have an assigned Health Visitor, the Surestart's Speech & Lan¢yuage Therapist provides advicc and support as needed. Staff work Llosely with severdl poverty cl)arities- the Projecl is authorised to distribute Food Bank Vouchers and allocate the Council's Keep Warfft packs. The Project SUPPOrtS several families in partnership with Mid Ulster & Causeway Wornen's Aid. providing tailored care. Plans for the future At the start of 2023124. our main ndIng w&% at risk- DE Early Interveniion gave notice that Pathway may ce&se at the end of June 20?3 and Surestart could be ltlY reduced. These 2 ndIng streams make up approxima*ly 801/J• of our income. Thankfully. Ihi5 was temporaTily reprieved on June I". noi bowever before wc had begun redundancy process with some staff. This decision was to be reviewed once there was a sitting government in Stormont to make strategic decisions. Towards the end of Ilie year, we were relieved to be given con[rnatIOn that things were more secure but still await fmal decisions around budgets at high level into 2024125. As part of the government's new funding focus on Early Intervention. ther¢ are prorrfysed changes to the strncturelIength of preschool days and support for workino parents. 2024r25 will be a year of revicw and preparation to be able to take on such changcs. In the meAnttme. thc Projcet look$ foTward to another year of nurniring ohildren. strentrthening families and growing
Harpurs Hill Children and Family Centre Limited Tru$tees' rÈpnrt (intluding directors. report) For the year ended 31 March 2024 .continued community, providinq high quality early years provision within Hary)urs Hill area and family support across tIie wider area of Coleraine. Portrusli and Portslewart. Financial review The or¢Janisation returned a deficit for the year of £6.674 (2023 - £6.969 SUTpIu5). At 31 st March 2024 the total funds of the charity amounted to £30J,i27 (2023 £310,?01) comprrsing unrestricted income funds of £NIL (?023 - £NIL), unrestricted designated ndS of £?62.416 {2023 £?84,971) and restricted fitnds of £41.111 {?023 - £25,?JO}. Reserves policy Harpurs Hill Children and Family Centre (hereafter named the Project) is keenly aware of the need to secure its viability beyond the immediate future. In order to be able to provide services over the longer terni. the Proje¢t must be able lo absorb setbacks atld to take advantaae of change and opponuniiy. The Projeci will provide for diis by pulting aside. when they can afford it. some of its Current income as a reserve against future uncertainties. Defjnition of Reserves For th¢ purpose of this policy the tenn "reserves" is applied to that part of the Project's income that is freely availablc for its general purposes. Reserves are the resources (he Project has or can make available to spend for any or all of its purposes once it has met its commitments and covered its other planned expenditure. The definition excludes unspent money from restricted grants i.e., where a funder has specified what the Money must be spent on and the Project does not have the power to spend the money on anything else. Why hold Reserves. The Project depends on fijnding from a variety of sources and thi5 can create an element of uncertainty and also tbe possibility of unforeseen expenses or liabib'ties that may emer(ve. Auain5t this background the Project considers it good practice to seek to build some financial reserves, which will &llow us 10 meei future commitsnents or unforeseen expenses without a negative impact on our ability to deliver services in the manner p]anne(L Level of Reserves The Project is seekinu to ensure that there is sufficient provision for salary costs and runnlng costs, should a funding stream be withdrawn. The Project also seeks to ensure that there is sufficient provision towards potential rcdundancy payinents. The Project should aim lo have no Icss than 3 month5 and no more than 6 iiionths reserve5 to deal witli loss of fundtntr an(Vor tedundan¢y. The Finanee Sub Group ivill review the reserve balance regularly and tnake decisions around transfer of unrestricted funds to the reserve. The policy will be reviewed on an atmual basis and amended to reflect the financial climate. Unrestricted funds may be earniarked for a particular Project from time to time and may bc designated a5 a separate nd. For example funds could be designated for a specific area that the Project is seeking to build resources for, such as refurbishing the building. The designation of funds will be recorded in the minutes of a Management Committee meetin(y as should any subsequent re- designation. Structur¢? governance and management Harpurs Hill Children and Family Cenlre is a company limited by guarantee. The company was incorporated on 4th May 2000. The company was esrablished under a Memorandum of Association whicli cstablishcd thc objccts and power5 of the company and is governed by it5 Articles of Association. The liability of its members is limited in that every member of the company undertakes to contribute an arnount not exceedinu £ l in the event of the cornpaiiy beino wound up.
Harpurs Hill Children and Family Centre Limited Trustees, rOrt (Anellldlng dlreetors, report) For the yegr ended 31sr March 2024 .continued The trustecs. who are a150 the directors for the purrrtTrse of company law. and who setved during the year 8nd up to the date of signaNre of the financial siatemenis were: Brenda McAte¢r David Radcliffe (chairl Martina Boyle Elaine Hegaty Maurice Bradley Lynne Jane Ballentine Lauren Martin Niamh Archibald Laurie Brennan Suzanne Grant David Richard Pavey Tanya Siirling Jacqueline Hannah Conor Resigned 25110123 Re5i.gned 06102124 - Resigned 30106124 Appointed 25110123 Appointed 25110123 Appointed 25110123 Appointed 25110123 Appointed 25110123 Appoinied 25110123 - Resigned 19104124 The direclors of the Company are also charity Intee5 for the PUTposes of charity law and under the company's Articles are known a5 meTnbers of the hlanagement Committee. The Article5 do not set out a temi of office and therefore at the Annual General Meetino the members of the Management Committee step down but are eligible for nomination again along with any ew members also nominated at that tiEne. During the year. if a gap is identified in the Management Comtnittee. a director may be co-opted onto the Board at the Board's discretion. Tl)ere is an induction pack for all new committee members and they meet with the Project Manag¢r io discuss the role and comtnitmcnt and thcn after election OD the Lommittcc for further induction and infomiation. Key Management Personnel Sharon Lyons Greta Thompson Karen Polluck Project manager Family sUPPQrt manager Childcare manager The Management Committee meer every six weeks with the Financc & PcT50nncl Sub Giuup tll¢¢tiTt¥ twu days piiLTrr. Management A¢¢ounts ar¢ present¢d and gone through in detail within the sub group with an ovcrvi¢w presented at the whole committee meeting. The Project Manager is also tasked with presenting a report on the work undertaken since tlie previous meeting as well a5 bringing regular updates on how the Project is perfomling against the business plan. Principal Funding Sourees Tlie Project is depcndcnt on securing funding in order to deliver its service5. The main funder of the Project 15 Coleraine Surestart Partnership. Other funders include the Depanment of Education throutsh a variety of fimding schemes including Preschool Expansion thnding and Parhway. We also receive funds thorough rhe Norchern Trust. Pcopl¢ and CoTn¥nunities (Thc Nalivniil Lottery) and Garfield Weston. A small amount is generated throuoh fees and small fundraiserg which is used to meet any shortfalls in funding or unexpected expenditure which hasn* been foreseen in the annual budoet forecast. Risk management Tlie trustees have reviewed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and systems have been established to manage those risks.
H2rpurs Hill Children and Family Centre Limited Trustees, report {Ineludlng dlrettors. report) For the year ended 3151 March 2024 .continued Statement of trustees, re5pollsAbilities Tlie mstes. wlio are also the dir¢¢tors of Harpurs Hill Children and Family Centre Limited for the purpose of Company law. are responsible for preparing thc Trustees. Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generdlly Actepted Accountinu Praciicel. Company Law requires the trustees to pr¢par¢ financial ststements for each financial year whTch give a true and fair view of the State of affairs of the charity and of the incominu resources and application of resources. including thc income and expenditure. of the charitable company for that year. In prePing these financial statements. the trusiees are required to: select suithble accounting policies and then apply them consistently- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP. make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. state wh¢iher applicable UK Accounlino Standards have been followe subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in ihe financial statements: and prepare the financial 5taternents on the going ncern basis uTrle it is inappropriate to presurne tbat the charity will continue in operalÉon. The Irustecs arc responsible for keeping adequate acLounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position ofthe charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act ?006. They are albo responsible for safe.(ruardino the assets of the charity and bence for takints reasonable 5tep5 for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Auditor In accordance with the company's articles. a resolution proposing that EM Accountants be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting. Disclosure of inform4tion to auditor Each of the trustees ha5 confirnied that there is no inforn]ation of which they are aware which is relevanl lo the audiL but of which the auditor is unaware. They have further confirnied that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant inforn]ation and to establish that the auditor is aware of such information. Small company provi5ion5 This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions in Part IS of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to the cornpanies subject to the small companies reo jrne. tees, report was approved and authorised for issue by the Board of TnteeS on October ?3 20?4 and Sied on their beha Martina Boyle Trustee David Rad¢liff¢ (Chair Tnlstee