Become a Holiday, Activity & Food Provider (HAF)

Find out how you can become a provider for Doncaster's Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.

What is the HAF Programme?

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is a Department for Education national initiative to support children who are eligible for, and in receipt of benefits related free school meals. The programme is intended to support the physical and health and wellbeing of children and young people, by offering them opportunities to participate in fun, enriching activities and enjoy nutritious food during school holidays. The HAF programme has been providing healthy food and enriching activities to children through local councils since 2019.

You can find out more about the HAF programme in the Department for Education HAF Programme guidance document.

HAF Delivery

The HAF is delivered during the Easter, Summer and Christmas school holiday periods. The funded programme is commissioned out to providers to deliver the activities, working with and supporting the voluntary, community and faith (VCF) organisations and local food providers.

Robust mapping takes place by the HAF team to ensure there is a diverse range on offer to suit all eligible children and young people.

All providers funded by the local authority through the HAF programme must meet the framework of standards and meet the following core aims and objectives:

Healthy meals: holiday clubs must provide at least one healthy meal a day, which must meet the School Food Standards.
Enrichment activities: holiday clubs must provide fun and enriching activities that provide children with opportunities to develop or consolidate skills or knowledge. Clubs must also provide physical activities which meet the Physical Activity Guidelines on a daily basis.
Increasing understanding and awareness of healthy eating: holiday clubs must work to improve children’s knowledge and awareness of healthy eating.
Signposting and referrals: clubs must be able to provide information, signposting or referrals to other services and support that would benefit the children who attend their provision and their families. This can include advice on how to source, prepare and cook nutritious and low-cost food alongside increasing awareness of healthy eating
Policies and procedures: clubs must be able to demonstrate and explain their safeguarding arrangements and have relevant and appropriate policies and procedures in place in relation to safeguarding, health and safety, insurance, accessibility and inclusiveness.

How Can I Apply?

We are accepting applications from providers to apply for funding to deliver the Christmas 2025 programme. The application process will close on Sunday 12 October 2025.

To apply to deliver the Christmas HAF complete the application form and return to HAF@doncaster.gov.uk