September 20 Newsletter

August 31, 2020

We hope that this newsletter finds you and your families well.

In this newsletter we will be looking at resilience, understanding the latest government scheme changes and our app of the month!

BUSINESS UPDATE

Resilience

One thing we'd like to talk about this month is resilience.

What

Business resilience begins with an understanding that workflows must be preserved in order for organizations to survive unexpected events. An often-overlooked challenge of business resilience planning is the human element, whereby individuals in a chaotic situation must be prepared and educated on how to respond accordingly.

In the midst of the Covid-19 crisis, we have become painfully aware of the fragility of supply chains, health care, and other critical systems. Many leaders have announced the intention to build back their businesses more resiliently, but not many know how to do so. Few business schools teach resilience, and today’s managerial toolkit is dominated by financial performance management. As a result, very few companies are able to explicitly design for, measure, and manage resilience.

Why

We can usefully define resilience as a company’s capacity to absorb stress, recover critical functionality, and thrive in altered circumstances.

Resilience is especially important today because the business environment is becoming more dynamic and unpredictable. There is no better example of system stress than the coronavirus crisis.

If you would like to find out how resilience could help your finance department, then please get in touch for a free of charge chat.

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT UPDATE

More changes are happening in the coming months with the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (in addition to the flexible furlough scheme which started on 1st July), here is a summary:

September

Government willl pay 70% of wages to a cap of £2,187.50 for the hours the employee doesn't work. Employers will pay ER NICs, pension contributions and 10% of wages to make up 80% total to a cap of £2,500.

October

The government will pay 60% of wages up cap of £1,875 for the hours the employee does not work. Employers will pay NICs, pension contribtions and 20% of wages to make up 80% total up to a cap of £2,500. The scheme closes on 31st October 2020.

February 2021

The government will pay a Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Bonus of £1,000 for every employee who has been furloughed and is still employed on 31st January 2021 (subject to conditions). Please see here for the latest information.

The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme has been extended. If you are eligible you will be able to make a claim for a second and final grant from 17th August 2020. These are the main points:

Amount

Taxable grant worth 70% of your average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment covering 3 months' worth of profits, and capped at £6,570.

Eligibility

HMRC will contact you if you are eligible, this will be based on the same criteria as used for the first grant. You will also need to confirm that your business has been adversely on or after 14th July 2020.

Please see here for the latest information.

Please get in touch if you would like any advice or help in relation to the schemes.

Grants of up to £5,000 available to help SMEs recover from COVID-19:

Amount

This package will include grants up to a maximum of £5000, however, most grants will be around the figure of between £1000-£3000.

Eligibility

The grants, which do not require any match-funding, are designed to:

help businesses access specialist professional advice in response to the impact of COVID-19 e.g. human resources, accountants, legal, financial, IT / digital.

purchase minor equipment to adapt or adopt new technology in order to continue to deliver business activity or diversify in response to the global pandemic.

These grants are in addition to a £10m package previously announced specifically for businesses in the ‘visitor economy’ sector.

App of the month

Receipt Bank is a great tool that will sort the data entry (and turn you paperless) in 3 simple steps

Snap it

Use your phone to take a picture of all bills and receipts

Send it

Forward any emails with PDF attachments to your receipt bank email address

Sorted

The paperwork is now all saved in Receipt Bank and Xero. Now your free to focus on what really matters, growing your business.

Fetch

Fed up of logging into websites to download bills each month for your accountant?

Set up Fetch and Receipt Bank will even do this for you as well!

Until next month,

Stay safe,

Katherine, David, Kasia and Joe

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Unlock Smarter Spending for Better SEND Outcomes – Part 2

By David Adderson • July 14, 2025

In Part 1 of this series, Dr Anita Devi opened the conversation on the rising complexity of SEND and the need for intentional, values-driven provision. Her reflections focused on inclusive leadership, purposeful commissioning, and the principle that less can often be more . In this second part, I’d like to continue the conversation — but from a financial perspective. My name is Katherine Robertson. I’ve spent over 10 years working with organisations across sectors including the education sector, helping them to navigate their finances confidently and strategically. What I’ve learned over that time is simple: money follows priorities — but only when we lead with clarity . And now, with SEND needs rising faster than school income, we must work smarter than ever with the resources we have. 🎯 From Stockpiling to Strategic Spending In 2024, the Department for Education wrote to 64 academy trusts, concerned that some were holding onto reserves more than 100% of their annual income . These aren’t just large numbers — they are untapped opportunities. Of course, we know why these reserves exist: financial uncertainty, poor capital funding, and the understandable desire to protect future viability. But if money meant for today’s pupils is held for tomorrow’s problems , we risk doing a disservice to the very learners we aim to support. That’s why we’re asking an important question: Can schools and trusts use their reserves to strengthen inclusion and SEND support now, without compromising their long-term financial security? Our answer is yes — with the right approach. 🧩 Applying Financial Wisdom to Inclusive Practice We are not advocating reckless spending or draining reserves dry. On the contrary, we work with leaders to build a clear, defensible strategy for using reserves wisely , backed by robust modelling, compliance with DfE guidance, and an unwavering focus on improving outcomes for children with SEND. Together with Dr Anita Devi, we bring dual lens: educational insight and financial clarity. Here’s how we help to: ● Identify untapped funding within existing reserves ● Co-develop an evidence-led SEND investment plan ● Align to DfE expectations on reserve levels and financial health ● Build the narrative for governors, trustees, auditors and regulators ● Support ongoing evaluation to ensure value for money and impact It’s not about spending more. It’s about spending better . 🔄 Releasing Funds. Reinforcing Purpose. SEND needs are not going away — and nor are the financial pressures. But when finance and inclusion experts work together, we can unlock solutions that support both pupil outcomes and institutional resilience . With careful planning, strategic reserve use can: ● Fund early intervention ● Invest in staff development ● Improve provision infrastructure ● And reduce future costs from reactive SEND placements or escalation It’s a long-term gain — and a value-led approach to financial governance. 💬 Let’s Continue the Conversation If you’re sitting on reserves and wondering how best to use them — or if you’re just ready to rethink how your SEND resources are working for you — we’re here to help. We offer a tailored advisory service that helps schools and trusts plan, invest and lead with both head and heart. 📩 Reach out at SEND_Finance@youtopia.co.uk to book a preliminary conversation. Because sometimes, the smartest way to save — is to spend with purpose. Author: Katherine Robertson Strategic Finance Expert and Education Consultant In partnership with Dr Anita Devi – Leading SEND Specialist