The Holiday, Activities and Food Programme - A Summer 2022 Update 

The Holiday, Activities, and Food programme was introduced to local authorities in 2018. In 2021 the government increased funding to £200 million per year over the next three financial years to allow for children from reception – year 11, across England, who receive benefit-related free school meals to stay active during the three major holidays of the year and have access to healthy meals.

During the Christmas, Easter, and Summer holidays, children are in receipt of free schools meals and those deemed to be vulnerable children according to the Department of Education (DfE), get to enjoy a great supply of fruits and healthy lunchtime meals and are also given takeaway boxes, similar to Hello Fresh, that encourage parents and children to spend quality time together whilst making a healthy meal at home.

What the HAF programme has done well

This programme has ensured the continuity of the well-being of children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Whilst in school, those who receive benefit-related free school meals are able to access healthy food and stay active, whereas prior to the HAF programme, access to these benefits were disrupted and many vulnerable children/children from disadvantaged backgrounds were not able to afford organised out-of-school activities.

Research conducted by organisations such as Children’s Society, and OFSTED, shows that the pandemic has adversely affected childhood development in children and adolescents, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The HAF programme has enabled schools and out-of-school clubs to extend the work they do in childhood development to vulnerable children and children within disadvantaged communities. The programme has also given the opportunity to young children to be involved in positive activities, lowering the risk of youth related street violence.

While speaking with providers who offer the HAF programme, they have praised local authorities for their attention to detail regarding the food provision. Local authorities such as Southwark Council ensure to give access to food providers that offer culture sensitive meals to children. Access to food that replicates a child’s culture is important to their development and encourages diversity and inclusion.

The HAF programme has also responded to issues concerning the cost of living crisis. Some of the providers we have spoken to have stated that providing daily meals helps parents save on food shopping and allows parents to continue working throughout the holidays whilst the sporting activities positively affect the children’s mental health.

How can this programme be improved?

Although this programme has been able to help many children from disadvantaged backgrounds, there are still many children who are not able to access these services. On average there are 40 providers who are offering this services to the families that need them, through local authorities. Providers have stated that communication of this services must improve. The HAF programme is normally publicised through the online local authority channels, however more can be done through schools and out-of-school providers to ensure parents are aware of this programme.

One way to ensure parents are aware of this programme, is to ensure that they are equipped with an adequate online solution that is able to identify children who are on universal free school meals and those categorized as vulnerable by the DfE. This same online solution should be able to communicate to the parents directly to publicise this opportunity and ensure their attendance.