The purpose of this funding is to provide free holiday provision, which includes healthy food and enriching activities, to school-aged children eligible for benefits-related Free School Meals (FSM).

The funding makes activities, food and support directly available to families through local providers throughout the holiday periods (excluding half-term holidays.

The provision should aim to support children, young people and families to:

• eat more healthily
• be more active
• take part in engaging and enriching activities
• be safe and not isolated
• have greater knowledge of health and nutrition
• be more engaged with school and other services

The programme will cover the Easter, Summer and Winter holidays in 2023. For more information on the national programme please visit Holiday activities and food programme 2022 from GOV.UK.

85% of the funding is allocated for Children in receipt of Free School Meals (FSM)

15% of the funding is allocated for children between the ages of 5 to 15 who your School consider to be ‘Just About Managing’, vulnerable or in need of this provision. This may include, for example:

• children assessed as being in need
• looked-after children
• children with an EHC plan (Education, health and care plan)
• children assessed as otherwise vulnerable
• children living in areas of high deprivation
• children of refugee families with NRPF

Funding can be provided for staff costs, food, overheads, premises costs etc please contact enquires@hafworcestershire.co.uk for further information.

• HAF Information for schools 2023 (PDF)

If a parent has contacted, you for a referral:

• give the parent permission to list you as a professional reference when they sign up at the haf-it website
• contact provider directly
• contact the HAF team

If you would like to sign a child up/ refer a child:

• set up an account in your name
• list the child or children you would like to sign up
• add your name as a referee when prompted to select FSM eligibility