Holiday Activities and Food Programme for SEND families - winter 2026
During the winter holiday period, funded activities and delicious food will be available for children eligible for benefits-related free school meals*. Activities include festive parties, sports camps, arts and crafts and much more.
HAF activities are available for children and young people who receive benefits-related free school meals. If you’re unsure about your eligibility, you can get in touch with the free school meal team at freeschoolmeals@gloucestershire.gov.uk.
Eligibility
Many families are eligible without needing to complete a new benefits claim. If your child or young person already receives benefits-related free school meals (FSM), they likely qualify. Children with SEND are a priority group under the HAF scheme but must still be in receipt of benefits-related free school meals to be eligible.
There are a small number of spaces available for each activity that don’t require free school meal eligibility.
You can register for free school meals here and there is more information at the bottom of this article*. You may qualify even if you do not attend a school or attend an independent school.
Unfortunately, being eligible for FSM does not automatically mean eligibility for HAF.
SEND Community Connectors – PRIORITY BOOKING FOR SEND FAMILIES
SEND families can contact the specialist SEND Community Connectors who are the Parent and Carer Alliance C.I.C, for more information on how SEND families can participate. Information can also be found on their website, https://www.parentandcareralliance.org.uk/haf
Email: HAF@parentandcareralliance.org.uk
Time: 9.00am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday
Phone: 01452 452872
Lucy Fullard, CEO of the Parent Carer Alliance explains.
We are pleased that we have again been recognised as the SEND specialist HAF community connector for 2026.
Through the work of the Parent and Carer Alliance families are offered support including:
- Priority booking - for children with SEND from Monday, 16 to Friday, 27 November 2026, prior to booking being made open to the public.
- Transport assistance – the budget from Gloucestershire County Council is small, but please do ask for support with travel costs if you cannot access activities.
- Alternative Food provision - if you require alternative foods at one of our activities, please contact us.
If you have any questions around 1:1 support, please let us know.
When can families browse the activities and events planned for winter 2026?
From Monday, 16 November 2026 at 12 noon Parent Carers will be able to view activities and plan what you want to do before bookings go live two weeks later on Tuesday, 1 December at 12 noon.
Priority booking for SEND families
Please complete the 2026 Expression of Interest Form to enable us to book an event for you. Public bookings open soon (see below) but the Parent and Carer Alliance has priority booking for SEND families and will be able to book for you.🥰
When you have filled in the form look out for an email during the afternoon of Monday, 16 November 2026 from HAF@parentandcareralliance.org.uk with links to the activities available and information on what the Alliance team need from you to book your child a space.
Note: You will be prompted to either login or sign up to our website to complete the form, this helps us keep our website more secure and report on the number of members.
HAF Online Support – Monday, 23 November 2026 from 10.30am to 11.30am
Need a little extra support to access HAF? Join our upcoming HAF Online Support Session. A safe, welcoming space to connect, share experiences, and access practical guidance from people who understand. Whether you're looking for advice, reassurance, or simply a chance to listen, you're welcome to join 🤗
When do bookings open for all families?
Bookings open from midday on Monday, 1 December. Make sure you’re ready to book by checking your account now by visiting the Family Hub website and booking system here. Use our handy checklist below to make sure that:
- All your children have an individual profile added to your account.
- Emergency contact details are filled in for each child profile.
- Any additional needs or disability information is included for each child profile.
- Your details reflect any recent changes (e.g. new address, phone contact details).
Keeping your profiles up to date helps ensure smooth bookings and the best support for your child. A complete and up to date profile means:
- Faster bookings.
- Better support for your children.
- Fewer delays or issues during HAF sessions.
Case study: HAF experience from a parent carer of nine-year-old child, who is autistic and has ADHD
I’m a single parent to my nine-year-old son, who is autistic and has ADHD. Although I occasionally have support from family, most of his day-to-day care is my responsibility.
My son can become very focused on specific things and sometimes experiences significant meltdowns. This can make getting out and taking part in activities challenging, especially when places are busy or unfamiliar.
Things have been particularly difficult recently. After experiencing bullying at his previous school, my son is currently at home with me while we work towards finding the right educational provision for him. This has had a big impact on both of us and has also made it difficult for me to work, as I need to be available to care for him.
School holidays can bring additional pressures. With my son at home, I have fewer opportunities to work and, at the same time, the cost of activities and keeping him occupied can quickly add up.
HAF activities have made a real difference to us.
They have given my son opportunities to take part in activities that I might otherwise struggle to afford, particularly during the school holidays.
One of the most reassuring things for me has been knowing that some of the people running the activities have experience of supporting children with SEND. It has given me more confidence for my son to attend because I feel his needs are understood. I don’t feel I have to constantly explain his needs or worry about whether he will be able to manage.
For my son, the activities have provided opportunities to get out, try different things and socialise in an environment where I feel he is supported.
For families like ours, who may be experiencing both additional needs and financial pressures, having access to free, inclusive activities can make a genuine difference. It can take some of the pressure off parents while giving children positive experiences and opportunities to take part.
The understanding around SEND is particularly important to me. Having activities available that feel accessible to children who may find some mainstream settings difficult means families like ours have more opportunities to be included.
I hope support like this continues to be available to families. Sometimes something as simple as having an activity your child can access and enjoy can make a big difference.
*HAF Qualifying Criteria – since September 2026
Information from the Government is here and explains that to be eligible for HAF activities families must be in receipt of:
Please note: HAF eligibility is based on the criteria set by the Department for Education. This means that children who have recently become eligible for free school meals under the new Universal Credit rules are not currently eligible for HAF.
Apply here for free school meals
If you have any questions about the programme, you can get in touch with us at HAFParentenquiries@gloucestershire.gov.uk
For more information, please visit the 'HAF' record on Gloucestershire's Local Offer website, Support for Families with SEND, or the HAF pages on the Virtual Family Hub.