Strategic Report
Introduction
Steering a course through the pandemic
Strategic Report
From the beginning of the pandemic, National Star decided to remain open for those who needed our care and support.
What we achieved
We have young people and adults who consider National Star their home in our long–term living accommodation, as well as many learners who remain with us all year round. It was critical that we provided that continuity of care, therapeutic support and learning to the highest level that we were able.
How we kept people safe In 2020 – 2021 we used:
12,375 37,600 103,500 393,900
isolation gowns
PCR tests LFD tests
facemasks
National Star Foundation Annual Report and Accounts 2020 – 2021
Plans for the future Strategic Report
In December, in line with government guidance, National Star introduced a regular testing regime for all staff and students. By 31 August, National Star had completed more than 103,500 Lateral Flow tests and more than 37,600 PCR tests. These tests became an integral part of our infection control regime.
The beginning of the spring term proved to be the most challenging of the pandemic. Learners returned on 3 January with the lockdown announced on 4 January. The majority of learners had returned to college and staffing became a critical issue as the number of COVID–19 cases reached its highest levels. While restrictions started to ease from April onwards, the NHS Test and Trace, mandatory vaccinations and high level of COVID–19 related staff absences persisted until the end of August.
Independent auditors’ report
We started the new academic year in learning clusters, which enabled us to prepare for the second wave in November. When we were no longer able to access the community, staff developed innovative work–based schemes within college so that learning could continue.
National Star stayed open throughout the pandemic
The long–term challenges for the charity remain immense. The economic pressures, resulting from the spending during the pandemic, will affect National Star in the years ahead. There is now an even greater need for National Star to work closely with the government and local authorities to ensure that the needs of young people with complex disabilities are not overlooked during the period of austerity, which is likely to follow.
Financial statements
We are fortunate that 80% of our income comes directly from statutory bodies, such as the Education and Skills Funding Agency, local authorities and the NHS. Yet, the 20% we receive through fundraising and other income generation activities is vital for us to maintain and develop the high quality level of facilities, resources and specialist equipment that underpin the quality of our provision. The pandemic had a major effect on those income generation activities throughout the year.
How we achieved it
We were only able to do so thanks to the resilience and dedication of all staff to quickly – and creatively – adapt to sudden and constant changes caused by the pandemic. We were able to draw on the experience of the first lockdown in March 2020 to create contingencies, which enabled us to manage the challenging year from September 2020.
Our supporters have stood by us at a time when many have faced their own challenges, and they have donated and helped fund the additional costs the charity faced and given us the encouragement to ensure that we continue to provide our services. To read in more detail about how the charity managed the pandemic, please see the principal risks and uncertainties section on page 27.
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