Information for parents
The aim of the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme is to support children to eat more healthily, be more active over the school holidays and have a greater knowledge of health and nutrition as well as be more engaged with school and other local services.
Further detail about what the HAF programme is and why it was created can be found here. Information for parents and carers about the HAF programme is set out below.
Free school meals holiday voucher scheme
Please note that the HAF programme is separate from the free school meals holiday voucher scheme. Please refer to our page about free school meals during the holidays for more information about how to access this scheme.
Additionally, if you’re on a low income and need to self-isolate, please see our page about the support available for families.
How do we access the programme?
To access the programme, simply book a place through one of the listed providers. Please note that booking details differ depending on each provider. Before booking, please check below to see if your child is eligible for the scheme.
Is my child eligible?
Priority places will be given to:
- children aged 5-16 years (including 4-year-olds if in reception) who are eligible for and receiving benefit related free school meals, and their families
- friends of the above – if it encourages the free school meal children to attend
Extended Eligibility Criteria
Our providers can choose to use up to 15% of their funding towards providing free or subsidised holiday club places for children who are not in receipt of benefits-related free school meals. This includes:
- children assessed by the local authority as being in need, at risk or vulnerable (for example, children on a Child Protection Plan, Children in Need or on an Early Help plan)
- young carers
- looked-after children or previously looked after children
- children with an EHC (education, health and care) plan
- children who have low attendance rates at school or who are at risk of exclusion
- children living in areas of high deprivation or from low-income households who are not in receipt of free school meals
- children in transition phases between nursery and primary school or primary and secondary school
Please note that our providers don’t have to give places to the above children and young people. If they do, they can choose to charge for these places, at a very subsidised rate. Additionally, not all activity providers will be able to accommodate the full age range of the programme. Please check with the provider what age group is appropriate to their activity.
If you think that your child is eligible for an income-related free school meal under the above criteria, but you have not yet registered, you can make an application through our website.
If your child is not eligible for the scheme, you can find other holiday childcare on Pinpoint.
What if my child has additional needs?
If your child requires assistance for the activity, please contact the given provider to discuss further – the parent or carer may be welcome to attend or the activity provider may offer extra support for your child.
The providers on offer include those experienced in working with children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and are therefore appropriately trained to support children with a disability or additional needs.
Does my child need to bring anything?
Just themselves, a smile (hopefully!), and appropriate clothing for the activity.
If the activity is outdoors, please remember to bring a waterproof coat. If for some reason your activity is cancelled due to wet weather, the activity provider will endeavour to contact you at the earliest opportunity to let you know.
Will meals and refreshments be provided?
Yes they will. A healthy meal will be provided each day of the activity.
If your child has a food allergy or special dietary requirement, or if you have a question about the meal, please can you speak to the activity provider. Contact details for the activity providers are on these webpages.
Why are the activities only in some locations?
We invited applications from activity providers across the county who were able to meet the strict HAF criteria. However, as you know, we live in a very rural county, which means there will be limitations as to where the programme will operate. So, unfortunately, there may not be a scheme in every town.
Is transport provided?
We would encourage you to make your own way to the activity, but if you do require assistance with transport, please speak to your provider.
Are all the activities and venues COVID-secure?
Yes, all activities and venues have been fully risk-assessed and public health measures will be in place.