2025/2026 HAF funding

We understand the Department for Education (DfE) is considering 2025/2026 funding for HAF, but no decision has yet been communicated.

What HAF provides

Funded by the DfE, HAF provides a programme of free activities during the school Easter, summer, and winter holidays, for people who receive benefits-related free school meals. Activities include sports, arts, music, STEM, and more.   

Children and young people also receive a free balanced meal and snacks as part of their day.  

There are no programmes during half-term school holidays.

Watch our film below from a Brighton Table Tennis Club HAF holiday camp to get an idea of what HAF has to offer.  

Keep updated

To be updated on the future of the HAF programme, send an email to HAF@brighton-hove.gov.uk to request to be added to our distribution list.

If you want us to stop sending you emails, ask and we'll delete your contact details from the distribution list.  

HAF programmes are also running in East and West Sussex, with information available here: 

Who's eligible for HAF

HAF is for children and young people in reception to year 11 who receive benefits-related free school meals. 

Apply for benefits-related free school meals.

Benefits-related free school meals are different from universal infant free school meals. Universal infant free school meals only provide free meals to pupils in reception, year 1, and year 2.

Children must have also started attending school. 

There are no public discretionary HAF places. Benefits-related free school meals is the only eligibility criteria openly used in Brighton & Hove.

A group of children pose for a photo with their safety helmets and skateboards after a HAF skateboarding workshop

HAF standards

All HAF providers are required to demonstrate they meet the programme’s framework of standards as laid out by the Department for Education.

Providers are further supported to meet these standards through training and quality assurance visits. 

Additional support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) 

We encourage those requesting a booking for a child with SEND to do this as soon as possible. We also encourage you to contact the provider to clarify what support would be required to fully integrate the child. All HAF providers are expected to make all reasonable adjustments. Failing to disclose information could lead to the placement breaking down. 

Find out about inclusion funding for disabled children or those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This funding can provide additional support for children with SEND to attend Ofsted-registered childcare and HAF activities.

An alternative is to look at options available through the heavily subsidised Brighton & Hove SEND Short Break & School Activities Programme. The programme is for children and young people aged 4 years (Reception) to 25 years with SEND. Learn more about the programme, or see what's available to book. 

If you have any questions about SEND Short Breaks, send an email to Short.Breaks@Brighton-Hove.gov.uk.

Help and support for families

We know the school holidays can be expensive for some families and act as a pressure point. You can find help and support for your family.

To contact Family Hubs for more information and support:

If you have questions about Brighton & Hove HAF or need support with the booking tool, send an email to haf@brighton-hove.gov.uk.

How to apply for funding to help deliver HAF

If you're an activity or food provider interested in being part of Brighton & Hove’s HAF programme, send an email to haf@brighton-hove.gov.uk. We'll add you to our distribution list to keep you informed of future funding opportunities.

Information for schools

For information for schools visit the schools’ portal on BEEM.