HAF is a national Department for Education funded programme that enables eligible children and young people to attend free activities and experiences with free nutritional food provided. HAF activities and experiences take place in the Easter, Summer and Christmas school holidays.
HAF Objectives
There are many benefits for children who attend the HAF programme. We encourage all HAF providers to ensure a high-quality experience that will result in children:
Receiving healthy and nutritious meals
Maintaining a healthy level of physical activity
Being happy, having fun and meeting new friends
Developing a greater understanding of food, nutrition and other health related issues
Taking part in fun and engaging activities that support their development and well-being
Feeling safe and secure
Getting access to the right support services
Returning to school feeling engaged and ready to learn.
Who is eligible?
Children and young people need to be school-aged children (reception to year 11 inclusive) and meet one or more of the following criteria:
In receipt of benefits-related free school meals. The Council’s website has more information on this: Coventry.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals
Assessed (through a Children and Families assessment, undertaken by Children’s Services) as a “child in need”
On a child protection plan
A child in care
A young carer
Assessed (through an early help assessment) to be in financial hardship
Part of the Ukrainian Family Scheme or the Home for Ukraine programme
Receiving Free School Meals through having No Recourse to Public Funds.
Children and young people in years 12-13 are eligible if they are in receipt of benefits-related free school meals and either have an EHCP or are receiving SEN support at their place of education.