Holiday Activities and Food programme providers
Provider information about a Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.
What is HAF and how it helps?
School holidays can be pressure points for families due to increased costs (such as food and childcare) and reduced incomes. For some children this can lead to a holiday experience gap - with children from disadvantaged families less likely to access organised out-of-school activities and more likely to experience social isolation and ‘unhealthy holidays’ in terms of nutrition and physical health.
The Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF) is a response to this and is funded by the Department for Education.
Evidence suggests that holiday activities can have a positive impact on children and young people. It also shows they work best when they provide consistent and easily accessible enrichment activities, when they offer more than just breakfast or lunch, and when they involve children (and parents) in food preparation.
How it works
The aim of the programme is to make free holiday activity places available to children receiving benefits-related free school meals for the equivalent of at least 4 hours a day, for 4 days a week, for 6 weeks of the year (1 week at Easter, 4 weeks in the summer holidays and 1 week at Christmas). It is optional for eligible children to attend this provision.
If families are working, they may be able to get back some costs related to holiday activities. Visit the Childcare Choices website for more information.
Grant funding
West Sussex County Council offers grant funding to providers to deliver activities and food during the school holidays.
Submit a proposal using the online form. This enables the HAF team to award grants in an efficient and transparent manner according to agreed funding criteria.
Expression of interest application form (external link)We are actively supporting activity providers that can offer 1-2-1 support for children who need that additional support.