Families can experience significant pressure points during school holidays with reduced income and increased financial pressures because of the costs of food, childcare and enriching activities. Disadvantaged families are likely to experience “unhealthy holidays” in terms of nutrition and physical health along with exacerbated inequalities relating to social isolation and loneliness. Disadvantaged families are also less likely to access organised out-of-school activities during Summer, Winter and Easter.
On Sunday 8th November 2020, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced the significant expansion of the Department for Education’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme across England. In October 2021, the Chancellor of the Exchequer committed to a further investment for 2022/23. This significant extension of the HAF Programme across England will enable all second-tier Local Authorities, including Staffordshire County Council, to continue to work together with Partners to provide free healthy meals and enriching activities to families of children in receipt of Free School Meals (FSM) and other targeted groups during Summer, Winter and Easter 2024.
The Department of Education’s investment into the HAF Programme will be delivered through Grants to Local Authorities. Staffordshire County Council want to work with providers to develop an ambitious, courageous and empowering HAF Programme which is targeted at those most in need.