Easter HAF information
Leicestershire Holidays Together HAF is a free and exciting Department for Education-funded holiday programme for school-aged children and young people who are:
- attending Reception to year 11 (inclusive)
- receiving benefits-related free school meals
and
- living in Leicestershire
Eligible children and young people can access a maximum of 4 HAF holiday club sessions during the 2023 Easter holidays, free of charge.
Holidays Together HAF holiday club sessions will be delivered at venues across Leicestershire and will offer a variety of fun activities, including sports, music, arts, and other opportunities to learn and develop new skills, alongside a nutritious meal each day.
Check if you're eligible for a free HAF place
School aged children from reception to Year 11, in receipt of benefits related free school meals in Leicestershire can access government funded HAF clubs, for free.
You can check your child’s eligibility for a free HAF place using our online checker
If your child receives a free meal under universal infant free school meal (UIFSM) policy, you must also be eligible for, and have an active claim for, benefits-related free school meals to be able to access a free place on the HAF programme.
If you believe you are eligible for benefits-related free school meals but do not have an active claim, please apply before completing the eligibility check.
Book your place
You can search providers and book your place via the:
If you don't see your activity listed within the finder above, please use the document below:
Frequently asked questions
What are benefits-related free school meals?
Benefits-related 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 their school or local authority. View information on who can get free school meals and how to apply
What if my child receives universal infant free school meals?
Infant pupils who receive a free meal under universal infant free school meal (UIFSM) policy must also be eligible for benefits-related FSM to be able to access a free place on the HAF programme. View information on who can get free school meals and how to apply
What if my child does not attend a Leicestershire school?
Leicestershire Holidays Together is a free and exciting Department for Education-funded holiday programme for school-aged children and young people, who are:
- attending Reception to year 11 (inclusive)
- receiving benefits-related free school meals
and
- living in Leicestershire
If your child meets these criteria, and we are able to get confirmation from your child’s school or the relevant local authority that they receive benefits-related free school meals, then we will be able to confirm eligibility for a HAF place.
What if my child is not eligible for HAF?
Some HAF holiday clubs will also offer fee-paying places for children and young people not eligible for free school meals.
Families eligible for Universal Credit may be able to claim back up to 85% of their childcare costs.
Please contact your chosen holiday club provider directly for more information about fee-paying places.
A limited number of funded holiday club places are available for children who are not in receipt of benefits related free school meals and these places will be managed through a referral process.
The referral process requires a professional working with the child/family to email the HAF team: haf@leics.gov.uk with the child’s details and reasons for the referral.
The number of referral places will be capped per holiday period, in line with the DfE guidance and referred places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
What if I live in Leicester City?
The Leicestershire Holidays Together HAF programme is open to Leicestershire residents only. If you live in Leicester City, you can find information about the Leicester City HAF programme and how to apply for a place.
Application process for becoming a Leicestershire HAF provider for winter 2022-24
In line with procurement regulations, Leicestershire County Council is using a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for awarding contracts to HAF providers for the remainder of the current three-year programme, which ends in December 2024.
The application window to join the DPS is now open for providers who would like to apply to deliver HAF.
The tender opportunity has been published on the council’s East Mids Tenders e-tendering portal.
All providers interested in applying must register interest via the East Mids Tenders e-tendering portal
If you're already registered as a provider on East Mids Tenders, you can log in and register interest in the opportunity
If you're not already registered as a provider on East Mids Tenders, you can complete a simple registration process
Please note:
- A full timetable is included within the tender documentation.
- We will be holding an online question and answer events periodically, for providers who are interested in joining this HAF DPS. Please register on the e-tendering portal to access further details, and please refer to the messaging facility within the portal for the meeting link for these events.
- All documentation relating to the opportunity can be downloaded from the e-tendering portal.
- All communication relating to the application/tender process will now go through the messaging facility within the e-tendering portal. See further guidance on how to register on the portal
- We cannot send you information regarding the tender via the haf@leics.gov.uk email address – however, we have attached a guide to using the e-tendering portal, which you may find useful.