**The HAF funding round for 2025/26 has now concluded, we are not looking for any new HAF providers this year. Thank you for your interest. If we are to require extra spaces for either this scheme or if there is a further round of funding, please keep an eye for updates on this page**
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The Department for Education (DfE) funded Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme aims 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 providers about the HAF programme is set out below.
Who is this programme for?
Places will be prioritised for school aged children and young people from reception to year 11 (inclusive) who are receiving benefit-related free school meals, and their families.
Please note this is not for children on universal free school meals.
To access the programme, parents can book a place with their chosen provider by clicking on this link: EEQU Booking System. They will receive an email confirmation.
Have a look here at the Quick guide on how to book a HAF session
If the child is not in school but does access education other than in school (EOTAS) or alternative provision are they eligible?
They will need to make an application to the free school meals team to check their eligibility.
If they are not eligible then they may be able to access an extended criteria place – please see below.
Extended criteria
Parents and carers will be aware that we have been running the Department for Education (DfE) Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme for a number of years in Devon.
The programme is continuing for the coming financial year and will cover the spring, summer and winter holidays for 2025/6. It’s fully funded by the DfE, and they set the criteria for those attending and the aims of the programme.
Nationally, the aim is to provide activities, including a nutritional meal, during the school holidays to young people, aged five to 16 who are eligible for benefit-related free school meals (FSM).
That means, it’s a condition of their funding that places are allocated to children and young people who are eligible for FSM first. Beyond that, we have taken a decision locally to use an extended criteria.
We are very happy for places to be given to children and young people who meet the extended criteria, but in the first instance, we have to prioritise the allocation of places to those who are eligible for benefit-related FSM.
If the child is eligible for benefits-related FSMs, then they can book places on our HAF programme when activities become available.
If the child is not eligible for benefits-related FSMs, you may be able to access an extended criteria place. In Devon, our extended criteria places are prioritised for the following children:
- Looked-after.
- Previously looked after.
- Children with EHC plan.
- Young carers.
Please note the number of these places are limited. HAF Providers will hold a waiting list for extended criteria places and will not be able to confirm a place until a week before the Holiday period. Priority must be given to the benefit-related free school meal children.
Our HAF providers will hold a waiting list for these places and allocate them a week before the holiday period starts.
Additionally, not all activity providers will be able to accommodate the full age range of the programme.
Paid-for places
A number of HAF providers are registered with Ofsted and will offer paid-for places as well as HAF-funded places. Please use this link to see what government help is available to pay for childcare: Childcare Choices | 30 Hours Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More | Help with Costs | GOV.UK
When is the programme running?
Overall, Devon County Council is expected to offer the equivalent of six weeks’ holiday provision to eligible children (a total of 24 days of at least four hours, including a nutritious meal each day).
Providers will offer:
- Spring – a maximum of four days
- Summer – a maximum of 16 days
- Winter – a maximum of four days
How do the children we are working with access the programme?
To access the programme, the parents will be able to book a place with their chosen provider using a new centralised booking system.
Parents will book a place with their chosen provider by using the EEQU booking system. They will receive an email confirmation.
What if the child has additional needs?
If their child requires assistance for the activity, they will clarify this on the booking system when they register. 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.
Contact information
If you have any queries, please email haf@devon.gov.uk.