Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 - 2016 As Sefton’s lead Domestic Abuse Agency, SWACA is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. Sefton Women’s and Children’s Aid Registered Company No: 03448301 (England and Wales) Registered Charity No: 1066878 swaca
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Annual Report and Financial Statements
2015 - 2016
As Sefton’s lead Domestic Abuse Agency, SWACA is
committed to safeguarding children, young people and
vulnerable adults.
Sefton Women’s and Children’s Aid Registered Company No: 03448301 (England and Wales)
Registered Charity No: 1066878
swaca
swaca
2
Contents:
Factfile page 3
Governance
Risk Management
Chair’s Report page 4
Meet the Team page 5
Assessments Page 6
Referrals Received
Age Analysis
Gender Analysis
Referrer Analysis Page 7
Demographics
Family Services Page 8
Children & Young People Page 9 - 10
Fundraising Page 11 - 12
Donations Page 12
Funding Page 13 - 14
Key Activities Page 14
Survivor’s Story Page 15
Financial Review Page 16 - 17
Independent Examiner’s Report Page 18
Statement of Financial Activities Page 19 - 27
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The Trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act
2006, present this report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st
March 2016. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended
Practice (SORP) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities’ issued in March 2005.
Registered Office
166 Knowsley Road,
Bootle,
Liverpool L20 4NR
Tel: 0151 922 8606
www.swaca.com
President
Mrs. H. Goodband
Trustees
Mrs. J. Leather – Chair
Mrs. M. Wootton – Vice Chair
Ms. J. Lewis – Treasurer
Mrs. C. Blackburn
Ms. H. Langley
Mr. C. Millett
Mrs. S. Smith
Mrs. P. Stubbs
Company Secretary/Chief Executive
Ms. G. Ward
Patrons
Alan Bleasdale
Tony Evans
Albert Kirby QPM
Lesley Paterson
Willie Russell
Independent Examiner
P. Buck ACA DChA
TLL Accountants Ltd
Chartered Accountants
7 – 9 Station Road
Hesketh Bank
Preston
Lancashire
PR4 6SN
Bankers
Nat West
1 Liverpool Road
Crosby
Liverpool
L23 2TD
Solicitors
Morecrofts
2 Crown Buildings
Crosby
Liverpool L23
Governance
Sefton Women’s and Children’s Aid
(SWACA) founded in 1975, is a registered
charity which was incorporated on 10th
October 1997. The charity is controlled by its
governing document, a Memorandum and
Articles of Association, and constitutes a
limited company, limited by guarantee, as
defined by the Companies Act 2006.
The Charity ensures that there are adequate
Trustees with a diversity of skills and invite
observers and advisors to their meetings in
order to maintain diversity. The Trustees
identify their own training needs and
structures are in place to ensure a proactive
approach. Training in governance has
been undertaken.
The Trustees ensure a member of the legal
profession sits on the Board to ensure
compliance with the law and procedures.
The Board of Trustees regularly undertake
training/updating in employment law.
Risk Management
The Board of Trustees carry out assessments
in order to lessen the risks to the Charity as
far as possible. It is the duty of the trustees
to identify and review the risks to which the
charity is exposed and to ensure
appropriate controls are in place to provide
reasonable assurance against fraud and
error. The Board has entrusted all operation
matters to the Chief Executive and her
Management Team, who in turn, report
back to the Board on a quarterly basis. The
Chief Executive is supported by sub-groups,
members of which are appointed from the
Board of Trustees for their appropriate skills.
The Charity ensures that suitable
qualified/skilled staff is recruited. Staff
appraisals are held annually and supervision
takes place monthly.
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Welcome to the new style Annual Report for
SWACA. I hope you enjoy the format.
It gives me particular pleasure to introduce the
report in the year of the 40th Anniversary.
The Charity was first formed when a small group
of interested, enthusiastic and dedicated to the
cause, local women decided to meet regularly
in their homes to see what they could do to
support women and children in Crosby. From
these early days, the Charity has grown steadily
to now being commissioned to provide services
throughout Sefton by the Local Authority and local Health Services Commissioning Groups.
Central to all of SWACA’s objectives are the women and children in Sefton. We strive to
provide safe and quality support to women, young people and children who are the victims
of domestic abuse.
The skills and commitment of our staff are fundamental in achieving our aims and, at
SWACA, we are particularly proud of the dedication to their work that our team
demonstrate.
Looking to the future, the current financial climate is not easy for local charities such as
SWACA. Gaining new funding is a constant priority for us. As grants reach the end of their
life, there is a need to acquire new grants just to stand still. At SWACA, the staff are
particularly resourceful and constantly looking for new ways of working that will help the
people that we serve and ensure that the organisation is sustainable.
The new 500 Club is now open for membership and provides an opportunity to support
SWACA and victims of domestic abuse, whilst offering the chance to enjoy a small lottery
win. Jane Leather, Chairperson
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SWACA’s dedicated team pride themselves in providing professional domestic abuse
services for women, young people and children throughout the Borough of Sefton.
They support service-users survive the impact of Domestic Violence and Abuse by
giving free practical and emotional support.
Services are offered regardless of Age, Disability, Sexuality, Race or Religion. Support
can be given by phone, in person, in school, in the workplace, in Children’s Centres or
in our Centre.
SWACA’s provision of holistic services, offers effective crisis intervention, early
intervention and preventative services. Specialist services are provided on a
residential and non-residential basis. These include: advocacy, advice, structured
programmes of work, parenting support, therapeutic support on a one to one, family
or group basis.
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SWACA Assessment Team is the starting point for accessing all services. New referrals are
received from a wide range of agencies across Sefton including Police, Children’s Services,
and Schools etc., in addition to women self-referring. A new Drop-in Service has been
introduced during this year, providing easy access into services on a Wednesday afternoon
and Thursday morning.
Our Assessment Service is delivered by telephone and face to face appointments, which
can be accessed throughout Sefton. This service includes the creation of a Personal Plan
with the service user, a risk assessment, a needs assessment, referral to one of our specialist
services or referral to external agencies.
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
2015/2016 2014/2015 2013/2014
Referrals Received
0 100 200 300
under 5
5 - 9
10 - 14
15 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 58
59 +
Unknown
Age Analysis
Gender Analysis
Females 1684
Males (under 18 years of age) 126
There are no age limits to Domestic Abuse
Referrals to SWACA have increased by
more than 27% over the last 3 years
1,810
1,640
1,422
7
Domographics
28%
20%
3%
39%
1% 1%
0%
1%
7%
Referrals Analysis
Children & Young People
Services
Family/Friend/Self
Health Services
Police
Adult Services
Drug/Alcohol Services
Legal Services
IDVA
Other/Unknown
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Family Caseworkers aim to support women and families to live safely and free from fear of domestic abuse, whilst remaining in their own homes. Service users are assisted in identifying areas of support as part of a medium/long term personal plan for themselves and their families.
This service, which includes both practical and emotional support, is delivered to a wide variety of families whose major issues are around re-establishing the family unit after the breakdown of adult relationships due to domestic abuse. Every individual within a family can be affected in different ways. Each family has different problems to address and many have additional problems arising from social deprivation and poverty. Practical support is provided in these cases to ensure that the family have the best possible economic chance in the future.
Support is offered on a one-to-one or group work basis in order to develop emotional resilience, identify and manage risk, understand the impact domestic abuse may have upon themselves and their children and improve self-esteem.
Support Groups meet on a weekly basis and offer women support sessions in a safe environment in which to explore common issues and offer mutual support. The group is facilitated by a SWACA Caseworker.
Has your life been overshadowed by Domestic Abuse?
O *
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Hello, my name is Wendy and I’m a Children’s Worker with SWACA.
I work with lots of children in schools and children’s centres who might have
seen people not being nice to each other. They might have seen grownups
shouting, fighting and being mean. I am like a listening ear and you can talk
to me about how you’re feeling and if you have any worries.
We look at different things so I can get to know a bit more about you and
you have the chance to talk about things that might be in your head. You will
look at healthy and unhealthy relationships, your wishes and feelings, keeping
yourself safe and anything else you might want to talk about.
Anything we talk about is confidential, that means it is between you and me,
but if you told me something and I didn’t think you were safe then I would
need to speak with other people about that, but I would tell you.
Remember, you are very important and you being safe and happy is very
important.
Children and Young People Caseworkers deliver services to children and young people up
to the age of 17 years. This service is delivered across Sefton within a variety of settings
including schools and colleges, children’s centres etc. The Agency’s Children’s Workers offer
age appropriate sessions, which provide opportunities for children and young people to
explore a number of issues. This service also includes support and advocacy in appropriate
settings i.e. Child Protection Conferences, Court etc., ensuring that their voice is heard and
considered in the development of plans or services that play a part in their life.
The agency attends all Initial Child Protection Conferences in Sefton where domestic
violence is a significant indicator (80% of conferences) in order to engage with the family at
an early stage to reduce the risk of harm to children and young people within the family.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This year SWACA
supported 473 children
and young people
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This year, we wanted to be able to take the issues of Domestic Abuse to young people in
their own settings. We know from our young
people that they share difficult experiences with
their peers and so we wanted to equip them with
the skills to offer direction and support. Most
importantly, we wanted young people to
challenge some of the myths associated with
Domestic Abuse, particularly in relation to victims,
perpetrators, and of issues of age and
background. Over the last twelve months, a
Young People’s Worker has succeeded in
reaching out to young people, male and female,
in an attempt to educate them in Healthy
Relationships. Workshops have been well
attended throughout Sefton and more than 1,000
14 – 25 year olds have increased awareness of
Domestic Abuse and SWACA’s response to the
issue. The young people felt that by offering a
drop-in
service
it would be easy to access by young people
without drawing attention to them. This was
considered an important factor for young people
when identifying themselves for support. A Youth
Drop-in was introduced this year, every
Wednesday 4pm – 6pm. Young people are
offered physical or virtual advice and if they
would like support from us they are able to have
an assessment with one of our young person’s
workers. This service will continue to develop due
to the identified need.
SWACA have been approached by Plaza Cinema
to work in conjunction to produce a Domestic
Abuse resource for young people. A group of
young people will be at the forefront in the design
and delivery of the project.
Our current Young Person’s project has enabled us to share information and offer support in
a range of formats. As a result, SWACA will be conducting a Young Person ‘Our Views’
Consultation with 50 young people across the Borough in order for them to have a say in the
design and delivery of Young Person Domestic Abuse support. This information will be used in
Sefton’s Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategic Action Plan.
“ I can get really nervous and
wound up talking to professionals
because I feel like they judge
me for being young, SWACA is
the only appointment I don’t get
nervous attending and feel like I
can be honest”
“Very friendly, I
enjoyed it and
learnt more
things”
“I know that if I am
ever in a situation that
I can approach
someone”
“I think being able to go
to SWACA has made me
more confident. I can now
tell professionals how I
feel and if I have any
problems I am able to
access help”
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This year saw the re-introduction of a
Fundraising Group. The events organised by
the group were:
A Strawberry Tea
Book Sale/Bring & Buy
Fish & Chip Supper
Quiz Night
Easter Raffle
Sunday Lunch
In total, the Group raised in excess of £3,800
this year.
A number of individuals, groups and
businesses also decided that they would like
to fundraise for SWACA.
They included:
Marks & Spencer, Bootle – who
chose SWACA as their Charity of the
Year.
St. Lukes Church, Crosby
Nags Head Bowling Club
Merchant Taylor Schools
The Northern Club Squash Team
Revenue & Customs, the Triad who
held a Sponsored Wax
Kids in Bloom, University of Liverpool
Gaynor Howarth – who ran 10k
Pete Cowan – who undertook a
Triathlon
Our sincere thanks go to the Fundraising Group, businesses and individuals who took part
and supported these events including Bibby Maritime and Morecrofts Solicitors.
FUNDRAISING
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Mersey Rats, at the Lathom Club in Seaforth
tirelessly fundraise in order to send two
families away on holiday, with spending
money, each year. In addition, two families
receive Christmas Presents and a grocery
voucher. Mums are consulted to ensure the
children receive the presents that they wish
for from Santa.
The staff of Shop Direct plays a large part in
Christmas.
They very generously provide individual
Christmas Gifts for our Children which are
given to the children, by Santa, at our
Grotto.
Each year, the
SWACA office is
taken over by
gifts for both
children and mums, until Santa arrives to
distribute them.
Domestic Violence/Abuse is not a subject that is easily related to or understood; victims
themselves do not always recognise or acknowledge that Domestic Abuse exists within their
relationship. However, the support that SWACA receives from the local community and the
wider area of Sefton endorses the need for the Charity and inspires everyone, from the
Volunteers to the Board of Trustees.
Cash donations have been received from many groups, schools and faith organisations
including: St. Lukes Church; Soroptimist International (Crosby and Bootle); Ex-Servicemen
Royal Corps; St. Andrews PCC; St. Peters PCC; Merchant Taylors Schools; St. Marys College;
Bootle Golf Club and the Mel Inn Slimming World. Many cash donations from individuals
have also been received.
The number of donations (income and articles) made to SWACA annually is astounding but
not beyond measure. Without our supporters we would be deprived of our main fundraiser
and reception area, the Charity Shop. This year income raised through the Shop covered
the cost of a Children’s Worker!
Many thanks to Mersey Rats, staff at Shop Direct and the many individuals and
businesses that assist our families in ensuring the children are provided for both
at Christmas and Easter.
Donations
MORE FUNDRAISING
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We are grateful to the Morgan Foundation for awarding us £60,000 over three years. Their
support permitted us to employ a much needed Family Worker with the security of that post
for the next two years.
SWACA CEO, Gill Ward, receiving the cheque from Jane Harris from the Morgan Foundation
SWACA would like to take this opportunity to thank all funders for their loyal support.
Unrestricted Grants
Restricted Grants
Charity Shop
Refuge Income
Fundraising
Gifts & Donations
Other
The following chart demonstrates the breakdown of income
FUNDING
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Sefton MBC
South Sefton CCG
Southport & Formby CCG
CCG VCF 2
Morgan Foundation
CCG VCF 3
John Moores Foundation
Dowager Countess Eleanor Peel Tst
Other
Sefton Mindspace
CAMHS
The following chart provides an overview of Grants received this year.
Key activities undertaken this
year……
Working proactively with Sefton Safeguarding
Children’s Board (LSCB) and Safer
Communities Partnership.
Providing support to Sefton Multi
Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
as a virtual member.
Taking an
active role
within Sefton
Multi Agency
Risk Assessment
Conferences
(MARAC).
Delivering Relationship
Workshops to young
people, in order to increase
their awareness of Domestic
Abuse. More than 1,000
young people took an
active involvement.
In addition to having in excess of 1,800 face to face
appointments with women and children, the teams provided
case related support on more than 8,500 occasions and
attended 598 meetings i.e. Initial Child Protection Conferences
(ICPCs), Core Groups, Professional Meetings, Strategies etc.
SWACA’s 40th year has been a worrying year in the Voluntary, Community and Faith
sector, with difficult decisions having to be made. Yet, despite the uncertainties and
difficulties, the Team at SWACA continued to meet the needs of the increasing numbers of
women, young people and children of Sefton, who are experiencing Domestic Abuse.
SWACA looks forward to continue to develop partnerships with agencies, in all sectors,
throughout Sefton, in order to maintain positive outcomes for our service-users.
Development of
our 59+ Project –
creating tailored
services for this
age group.
MORE FUNDING
15
To end this section of the report, we would like to share with you a message we recently
received. Names are not included for obvious reasons.
In 2008 I walked into SWACA after seeing a leaflet in a local organisation. I
had been in an extremely violent and abusive relationship for 7 years but did
not even know that there was help and support available. The lady took all
my information and informed me she would need to refer my case to
MARAC due to the seriousness of the abuse. Until then I hadn't realised it
was serious, it was just my normal life.
I started getting almost daily phone calls from a SWACA Caseworker to
check I was OK and to encourage me to flee to refuge but I refused. I had
already ended the relationship but the abuse continued and was
escalating.
SWACA helped get me moved to another area but my ex would then turn
up at my workplace, constant calls, texts, threats. He had regular contact
with our two very young children which he used to get to me and
manipulate me. I knew he shouldn't be around the children but I knew he
would kill me if I stopped the contact.
I finally realised the only way my children would be safe was if I took my
Caseworker’s advice and fled to a refuge. I knew I would have to flee far
away to stop him finding us. I had to leave everything, material things as
well as a job I loved, my family and my friends. Most of them I had to
completely cease contact with for fear of him finding us. This was one if the
hardest times of my life but I did it.
I survived and now me and my children have a fantastic life. I now help
other survivors and manage a refuge myself using my own personal
experiences to pass on to others.
I just wanted to thank you SWACA for helping me to turn my life around. I
also want other survivors of domestic abuse to read my story and know that
you can do it, you can survive, you can build a new and better life for you
and your children. You just need to take that first step and seek support and
it will all begin to change from there x
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FINANCIAL REVIEW
Investment policy and objectives
The Charity's investment policy currently is to hold any reserves at the on deposit.
Reserves policy
The Trustees have established a policy, out of prudence, whereby funds not committed or
invested in tangible fixed assets of the Charity should be reserved in a specific contingency
fund due to uncertainties around funding over the coming year and a budgeted shortfall.
Designated funds consist of a building fund of £501,545 which relates to grants given to
SWACA and fully spent in prior years to build its own premises. Consequently, this fund is not
available as part of the free liquid reserves of the Charity. Considerable reliance is therefore
placed on grants to support the on-going work of the Charity.
The Charity has set a policy to hold free funds equating to approximately three months’
worth of total costs to support the general day-to-day running costs should income sources
reduce. Based on the costs for 2015/16 this would amount to approximately £100,000.
The free funds of the Charity total £59,225 at the year-end which is short of the target level.
The Trustees will monitor this position with a view to increasing free funds where possible.
GOVERNING DOCUMENT
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a Memorandum and Articles of
Association, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the
Companies Act 2006.
Sefton Women’s and Children’s Aid (SWACA) founded in 1975, is a registered charity which
was incorporated on the 10th October 1997.Sefton Women's and Children's Aid (SWACA)
provide free and confidential services to women, children and young people who are
survivors of domestic abuse who are resident in the Borough of Sefton.
Under its Articles of Association, the trustees may appoint a person who is willing to act to be
a director, either to fill a vacancy or as an additional Trustee, provided that the appointment
does not cause the number of trustees to exceed 16. Trustees are not required to retire by
rotation.
The Board has entrusted all operational matters to the Chief Executive and her management
team, who in turn report back to the Board on a quarterly basis. The Chief Executive is
supported by three sub-groups, members of which are appointed from the Board of Trustees
for their appropriate skills.
The Board of Trustees carry out a risk assessments and aim to lessen the risks to the charity as
far as possible.
Governance - the Charity ensures that there are adequate Trustees with a diversity of skills
and invite observers and advisors to their meetings in order to maintain diversity. The Trustees
identify their own training needs and structures are in place to ensure a proactive approach.
Training in governance has been undertaken.
External - the Charity continues to develop a multi-agency approach and maintains a high
Continued
17
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I report on the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2016 set out on pages nineteen to twenty seven.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of
the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under Section 144(2) of the
Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is required.
Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent
examination, it is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under Section 145 of the 2011 Act
- to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under Section
145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act); and
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of the independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An
examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented
with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking
explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the
evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a
'true and fair view ' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statements below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements
- to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements
of Sections 394 and 395 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the
Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities
preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (the
FRSSE) (effective 1 January 2015)
have not been met; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts