Aims/priorities: The Holiday activities and food programme (HAF) is a government initiative that aims to provide healthy, hot food and enriching activities during the school holidays, primarily to children and young people aged 5 to 16 who are in receipt of benefits related free school meals. HAF is funded by the Department for Education (DfE). The aim is for children and young people to socialise, learn and play during the specified holiday periods, enjoy a hot meal and have fun.
Who can apply? Organisations providing activities for children during the school holidays who are eligible for free school meals. For further information on eligibility, visit apply for free school meals.
Grant amount: Not specified.
Application process: The expression of interest is submitted via a webform on the Oldham Council website.
They will only be accepting expressions of interest via this weblink. The webform does not have the functionality to save forms part way through the application process and they would therefore suggest that an initial viewing of the form is undertaken and all required documents are collated before beginning the population of the form. The web team have advised that due to the requirement to upload documents to the weblink, its best to complete the expression of interest via a desktop or laptop, rather than a mobile device. Please be mindful that the webpage will timeout after 30 minutes of inactivity. For ease they have a Word version of the webform here. Whilst they are not able to accept a final submission in this format you will be able to view the questions prior to beginning the webform.
The DfE have updated the HAF guidance for 2023, and the expression of interest form is in line with the guidance. They request that you take some time to consider the updated guidance before submitting your expression of interest to ensure your provision can meet the new standards. Please consider carefully how your organisation intends to meet ALL of the required HAF standards. Take some time to consider these questions carefully as they will make up a key element of the panel’s decision making process. It is vital that the team delivering your sessions are aware of the expectations of the programme, how you have stated you will meet them and are able to fulfil them during the delivery period.
You will also find the budget proposal proforma here, please use this to break down the amount you are bidding for and upload to the webform when prompted. Please be sure to delete all the example cells before you start to complete this document. Budget proposals in other formats will not be considered.
Deadline: The strict deadline for the return of expressions of interest via the weblink is on or before 4 October 2023. This allows time to undertake our moderation process, issue grant agreements, raise payments, promote their offer and arrange bookings in good time for the start of the winter break. The Oldham School Holiday period runs from Friday 22 December 2023 to Monday 8 January 2024, but please note that some school dates may vary. The HAF offer for winter is 4 hours over 4 days of the holiday period, totalling 4 sessions.
Contact information: Email; OldhamHAF@oldham.gov.uk
Website: HAF Providers Expression of Interest | Instructions