HAF information for providers

What is the Department of Education (DfE's) holiday activities and food programme?

The Holiday Activities and Food Programme enables all Local Authorities across England to provide free healthy meals and enriching activities to families of children in receipt of Free School Meals (FSM) during Summer, Spring and Winter.

What is the background to the Holiday Activities and Food Programme Grants Scheme?

Families can experience significant pressure points during school holidays with reduced income and increased financial pressures because of the costs of food, childcare and enriching activities. Some families are less likely to access organised out-of-school activities during Spring, Summer, and Winter.

On Sunday 8 November 2020, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced the significant expansion of the Department for Education’s HAF Programme across England. This significant extension of the HAF Programme across England will enable all second-tier Local Authorities, including Staffordshire County Council, to work together with Partners to provide funded  healthy meals and enriching activities to families of children in receipt of Free School Meals during Summer, Spring and Winter.

Has Staffordshire facilitated the Department of Education's Holiday Activities and Food Programme prior?

Yes, Staffordshire has facilitated highly successful Programme's during Summer, Spring and Winter since 2021.

What is the primary purpose of the Holiday Activities and Food HAF Programme grants scheme?

The HAF Grants Scheme provides DfE funded places available at holiday clubs for families of children who receive and/or are eligible for benefits-related Free School Meals aged 5-16. The scheme will provide access to inclusive, enriching activities which also provide a free, healthy meal during the school holidays.

What is the core focus of the Holiday Activities and Food Programme Grants Scheme?

Following a robust application process we are seeking to award Grants to successful organisations across the statutory (including our schools), private, community and voluntary sector who can meet the HAF Standards Framework 2024.

Applications must meet one of three categories outlined below:

• Existing Holiday Club Provision - Provide additional funded places in an existing club which meets the standards of the HAF Programme during the School Holidays
     
• New Holiday Club Provision - Provide new club activities which meet the standards of the HAF Programme during the School Holidays
     
• Targeted Club Provision - Provide innovative activities which are targeted at specific cohorts of children, young people, and families during the School Holidays

What are the outcomes of the Holiday Activities and Food Programme Grants Scheme?

We are seeking for children (and their families) to: 

• Be happy and healthy - We want our children and young people to be resilient, happy and healthy, making choices that support wellbeing. 
     
• Feel safe and belong - We want our children and young people to feel safe in their community and at home, are safeguarded from harm and have a sense of belonging. 
     
• Achieve and contribute - We want our children and young people to achieve their potential including a good education and employment, where they are supported to make positive contributions to their communities. 

We believe the HAF programme will contribute to the achievement of outcomes by: 

• Supporting children and young people to be healthy over the school holidays 
     
• Supporting children and young people to be more active during the school holidays 
     
• Supporting children and young people to take part in engaging and enriching activities which support the development of resilience, character and wellbeing along with their wider educational attainment. 
    
• Supporting children and young people to be safe.

What organisations can apply to the Holiday Activities and Food Programme Grants Scheme?

Organisations across the statutory, private, community and voluntary sector are invited to apply to the HAF Grants Scheme which includes:

• Voluntary and Community Organisations.
• Constituted Groups or Clubs.
• Uniformed Groups.
• Registered Charities.
• Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIO).
• Not-For-Profit Companies.
• Private Limited Companies (LTD).
• Private Limited Companies.
• Public Limited Companies (PLC).
• Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP).
• Private Unlimited Companies.
• Community Interest Companies (CIC).
• Schools and Multi Academy Trusts (MACs).
• Early Years and Childcare Providers.
• Statutory Organisations (including District, Borough, Town, and Parish Councils).

Organisations operating internationally, nationally, regionally and/or locally are considered eligible. Grants will not however, be awarded to:

• Individuals.
• Organisations based outside the United Kingdom.
• One organisation applying on behalf of another (including Consultants).
• Organisations prohibited from working with children, young people, and families.
• Organisations who do not meet the requirements of the Department of Education.

Will the Holiday Activities and Food Programme Grants Scheme fund organisations based outside of Staffordshire?

Yes, but the children attending the HAF Programme must reside in Staffordshire (or attend an education setting within Staffordshire).

Will the Holiday Activities and Food Programme Grants Scheme fund national organisations?

Yes, but the children attending the HAF Programme must reside in Staffordshire (or attend an education setting within Staffordshire).