Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme

We need your help! Please spread the word about these free holiday activities to ensure that as many eligible children and young people as possible know about the scheme. If you work with community groups, schools and families make sure they are aware.

What is the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme?

The HAF programme is funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and arranges for local organisations to provide activities including football, cycling, swimming, canoeing, boxing, dance and arts and crafts for children that are on benefits related free school meals. They can book up to 16 days of provision and all our listings go live and are available to book now.

Click to see a map of where the activities will be provided.

All providers deliver to a standard which meets DfE guidelines. This includes providing nutritious food, teaching children about nutrition and at least one hour of physical activity. If you work with any families that aren't on free school meals but you feel they would benefit from HAF, please contact the team or fill out a referral form online (pdf format, 166 KB). This form can be completed by a school, social worker or health professional working with the child.

While the HAF programme is primarily intended for children who receive benefits-related free school meals, up to 15% of places can be allocated to other children identified as vulnerable. This may include, for example, children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEN/D), children of asylum seekers, and children who are looked after by the council.

Vulnerable children who do not receive benefits-related free school meals must be referred by a school, social worker, or health professional using the HAF referral form (pdf format, 166 KB). The form should include a clear explanation of why the child is considered vulnerable and must be submitted via email to the HAF Team at: activitiesoxfordshire@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

Please note that submitting a referral does not guarantee a place. These places are only available if there are remaining spaces not already booked by children eligible for free school meals.

More information is available on our website and you can contact the HAF team on activitiesoxfordshire@oxfordshire.gov.uk.