Holiday Activity Food Programme

Who is the programme for?

This holiday provision is for school aged children from reception to year 11 (inclusive) who receive 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.

Further information on eligibility for free school meals is available.

Local authorities are asked to ensure that the offer of free holiday club provision is available for all children in receipt of benefits-related free school meals in their area, though this does not mean we expect all to attend as the provision is voluntary.

We also encourage local authorities to make the holiday clubs available to any children not receiving free school meals who can pay to attend. This might be through operating:

bespoke provision
as part of already existing holiday provision in the area
a mixed arrangement depending on the local supply and demand for provision