1 Overview
The HAF programme is fully funded by the Department for Education and offers children who are entitled to targeted free school meals the opportunity to attend participating holiday activity clubs and have a free meal.
Targeted free school meals (FSM) are available to pupils if their parents are in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits and have a claim verified by West Sussex County Council.
For further information on how to apply for FSM, see our useful links section.
Eligible children can attend their chosen HAF provision for a maximum of 4 days per week for one week at Easter, 4 weeks during the summer and one week at Christmas.
2 Aims of the HAF programme
As a result of this programme, we want children who attend this provision to:
- eat healthily over the school holidays
- be active during the school holidays
- take part in engaging and enriching activities which support the development of resilience, character and wellbeing along with their wider educational attainment
- be safe and not to be socially isolated
- have a greater knowledge of health and nutrition
- be more engaged with school and other local services
We also want to ensure that the families who participate in this programme:
- develop their understanding of nutrition and food budgeting
- are signposted towards other information and support, for example, health, employment and education
3 Types of providers
We pride ourselves in offering a wide variety of different activity clubs for eligible HAF children to access across the county. We hope all children receive exemplary care whilst hopefully experiencing something new and exciting.
Some of our past providers have included:
- forest and beach schools
- skateboarding tuition
- table tennis
- music production
- computer programming
- sports and multi skills
- multi activity camps
- arts and crafts
All providers must meet the framework standards set by the Department for Education.
The HAF team will carry out all relevant checks before activities start. We will also visit each provider at least once a year during delivery to assess quality and make sure the standards are met.
If needed, we will provide support and training to help providers meet these standards.
4 How to access HAF
All HAF bookings must be made using the online HAF booking system. You will be able to book a maximum of 4 sessions in the Easter holidays, 16 in the summer holidays and 4 sessions in the winter holidays.
The length of the session will depend on which provider you choose, but each session will be a minimum of 4 hours long. One session = One HAF credit.
The first time you use the booking system you will be required to create an account. Once you have access to the booking system, you will be able to search for a suitable HAF provider and make bookings for your child or children. A separate booking needs to be made for each child you wish to attend your selected activity.
The information you provide on the registration form will be shared with the providers you choose to book with. Include as much detail as possible, especially if your child has any special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or dietary requirements.
Winter HAF places will be available to book from 9am on Monday 9 November 2026.
You will require your child’s HAF code to register, this will be the same code you have used previously. If you do not have your HAF code, check your award letter from the Free School Meal Team in the first instance. If the letter does not show your HAF code, you can ask your child’s school office or email us at haf@westsussex.gov.uk.
If you require support to access the internet or to complete the registration form, you can find this by visiting your local Family Hub.
Register and make a HAF booking (external link)Summer HAF places will be available to book from 9am on Monday 8 June 2026.
5 Contact the HAF team
You can contact the HAF team by emailing HAF@westsussex.gov.uk. We do not currently have a contact telephone number.
You may be able to find the answer to your question in the FAQ section.
6 FAQs
My child starts primary school in September 2027 and has been issued a HAF code, can they attend a HAF club?
No, a HAF code is not valid until they have started at primary school. Children starting primary school in September 2027 will be able to access HAF for the first time over the winter holidays.
My child is eligible for expanded free school meals, can they access the HAF programme?
No, only children accessing targeted free school meals can access the HAF programme.
My child is in Key Stage 1 and receives a free school meal, are they eligible for the HAF programme?
No, unfortunately not. This is the universal Free School Meal offer and does not make a child eligible for the HAF programme. To access the HAF programme you must be in receipt of benefits related free school meals. Check the free school meal website to see if you may be eligible.
Can my child attend more than one HAF provider during the same school holiday?
Yes, they can. As long as you do not exceed the maximum entitlement of 4 days per week for 1 week at Easter, 4 weeks during summer and 1 week at Christmas.
I live in a different county but want to attend a club in West Sussex, is that possible?
Yes, it is. You will need to apply to the county that you live in for either a HAF code, if they offer one, or proof of eligibility. Once you have this, contact us directly at haf@westsussex.gov.uk to book a place. HAF codes that have not been issued by West Sussex County Council will not be recognised by our booking system, so you won’t be able to create an account.
See our useful links section to access websites of our neighbouring counties.
My child receives Pupil Premium, are they eligible for the HAF programme?
The county council currently priorities children who are eligible for targeted free school meals.
My child has an EHCP and requires additional support, do you have any specialist provision?
We work very closely with our providers to meet the needs of all children eligible for HAF. Speak to the provider at the time of booking to discuss your child’s individual needs. If you cannot find anything suitable, contact the HAF team for support.
I can’t find a suitable provider when I search on the booking system. What should I do?
This may be because booking isn’t open yet. Once booking does ‘go live’ more providers will be added daily, so do check back in a few days. If you still can’t find anything, contact us at haf@westsussex.gov.uk and we will try our best to find something suitable. If we can’t find anything, we always appreciate feedback to help our future planning.
Are HAF places available during the half term holidays in February, May and October?
No, generally HAF places are only available during the Easter, Summer and Winter holiday periods.
The DfE has allowed local authorities to use any underspend to fund activities during school half-term holidays.
If this happens, we will let families know in advance. Funding will be available on an ad hoc basis, so we cannot guarantee that places will be available.
I can’t cancel a HAF session using the booking system, what can I do?
Each provider sets their own cancellation period. You cannot cancel a session once it is within this period. The cancellation period is usually 24 or 48 hours before the session start time.
If you cannot attend, you can:
- select ‘Cannot attend’ in the booking system
- contact the provider directly
We do not refund sessions cancelled within the provider's cancellation period.
7 Useful links
- HAF booking system - search for providers, make a booking or amend an existing booking.
- Free school meals - find out if you may be eligible.
- West Sussex County Council Community Hub - all children and families will be able to access information, advice and support for food and essentials if needed as a result of COVID-19.
- Find a Family Hub - West Sussex County Council - search for your local Family Hub.
- Brighton & Hove City Council - find out about the HAF programme in Brighton & Hove.
- East Sussex County Council - find out about the Holiday Food and Fun programme in East Sussex.
- West Sussex County Council - search for local information including childcare, support for families, Libraries and Family Hubs.
- Find information and practical support for parents on the Best Start In Life parent hub.
- Healthier families - discover healthy recipes, food swaps, nutritional advice and top tips and activities to help the whole family stay healthy.
8 Information for providers
West Sussex County Council offers grant funding to providers to deliver activities and food during the school holidays. You can submit a proposal using the online expression of Interest form (also, read the 'HAF Programme Overview' before making an application).
This enables us to award grants in an efficient and transparent manner according to agreed funding criteria.
9 Information for schools
Schools play an important role in identifying eligible families and promoting local Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programmes.
Contact us if you would like us to resend this information to you directly. We are also able to provide you with a list of HAF codes for all eligible pupils on request.
During booking and delivery periods, local HAF providers may send schools promotional materials for their holiday activities. These materials should display the West Sussex County Council logo and, where possible, schools should share them with eligible families.
If your school already provides holiday activities during the Easter, summer or winter holidays, or you plan to set up a new programme, contact us to find out how you can offer free HAF places to eligible families.