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

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 enquiries@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