Department for Education Launches 2025 Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Funding Applications
The Department for Education (DfE) has announced new funding for Local Authorities to deliver the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme across the Easter, Summer, and Christmas holiday periods in 2025. This initiative aims to provide free, high-quality activities and nutritious meals to children and young people aged 5-16 who are eligible for benefits-related Free School Meals.
The HAF programme is designed to support eligible children by offering enriching activities, healthy food, and opportunities to stay active during school holidays. The DfE encourages applications from a wide range of organisations, including community groups, family groups, faith groups, schools, sports clubs, uniformed organisations, and existing holiday or sports club providers looking to expand their offerings.
Application Details
Applications are open to single organisations capable of delivering complete provisions or partnerships with a named lead organisation. Schools or providers subcontracting delivery to a partner must have a staff member responsible for duty of care throughout the programme. Alternatively, subcontractors can apply directly and assume responsibility for duty of care. For safeguarding and security, all provisions require at least two DBS-checked staff members on-site.
Minimum Standards for Summer HAF Provision
For the Summer 2025 holidays, each HAF club must provide at least four hours of daily activities, including a lunch that meets school food standards (hot food is preferred). Funding covers a maximum of 16 days during the summer period. The DfE has outlined key objectives for HAF clubs, ensuring children:
Eat healthily and gain knowledge about nutrition.
Stay active with daily physical and wellbeing activities.
Engage in enriching activities and connect with school or community services.
Feel safe and included, with greater awareness of holiday club opportunities.
Inclusivity and SEND Provision
All HAF provisions must be inclusive, accommodating eligible children, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Providers can apply to offer SEND-only provisions for children eligible for Free School Meals. Support, including staff training, advice, and funding for reasonable adjustments, is available to ensure inclusivity.
Key Dates for Summer 2025
Provisions must align with local authority holiday schedules:
Wirral: Wednesday, 23rd July to Sunday, 31st August
Cheshire West: Thursday, 24th July to Sunday, 31st August
Applications for Summer 2025 close on 11th May 2025 at 23:00. Providers must deliver within the specified holiday periods for their local authority.
How to Apply
Interested organisations should contact haf@edsential.co.uk (mailto:haf@edsential.co.uk) for further information or support. The DfE and local authorities are committed to working with providers to deliver impactful holiday provisions that benefit children and communities.
Summer: https://forms.office.com/e/kT5i5SxLqr (Closing date for Summer is May 11th)
Christmas: https://forms.office.com/e/kEFYvuuGBs. (Closing date for Christmas is October 5th)
For additional details or to discuss specific requirements, email haf@edsential.co.uk (mailto:haf@edsential.co.uk).
Edsential and the DfE encourage all eligible groups to seize this opportunity to support children and young people during the 2025 holiday periods.