Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme

Information for parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)

The HAF Northants booking website will let you know how HAF camps support children with SEND. We also have SEND-specific HAF camps but these quickly become fully booked.
To support our HAF camps in West Northants to be as inclusive as possible, we have funded general SEND training delivered by Action for Children Northamptonshire. This will be ongoing throughout the year to allow all staff at our HAF camps in West Northants the opportunity to attend the training and ask questions.

The HAF Summer 2026 programme is now open for bookings

To get out and about during the summer holidays use our link below!

HAF Northants booking

About the HAF programme

HAF Northants is a government-funded programme providing free holiday clubs for children and young people in Reception to Year 11 who receive benefits-related free school meals. Activities run during the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays.
The programme helps children stay active, enjoy healthy meals, learn about nutrition, and take part in a wide range of fun activities. It also gives young people the chance to make friends, build confidence, learn new skills and enjoy positive holiday experiences.
In West Northamptonshire, HAF Northants is delivered by Northamptonshire Sport, which works with local providers to offer a diverse range of activities across the county.

Find out more about the Holiday Activity and Food Programme.

Great British Summer Savings

From 25 June to 1 September 2026, VAT will be slashed on eligible activities, helping families enjoy the weekend treats, the days out, and the small plans that make life enjoyable during the cost of living squeeze while supporting the businesses that depend on summer footfall.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “When I think about the summer holidays, I think about the Lake District - where I went as a child and later made memories with my own family. "I know how precious that time is, yet too many parents feel they have to hold back because the cost of living is still squeezing budgets.
All families need to do is follow these easy steps online:

Search https://summersavings.gov.uk
Enter your postcode
Adjust the dial to select how far you want to travel from home
Optionally search by type of attraction or food offers you are looking for
Click the ‘Find offers’ button
See a list of businesses in your areas offering discounts and their location on the map
When you see a restaurant or attraction that’s best for your family, all you need to do is book a table or buy a ticket as you usually would and your discount is automatically taken off your price

Eligibility

School-aged children from reception to Year 11 in receipt of benefits-related free school meals in West Northamptonshire, have priority in accessing government funded HAF clubs for free.

If you are unsure whether you are eligible, please apply for free school meals.

As in previous years, we have discretion to use up to 15% of our funding to provide free or subsidised holiday club places for children who are not in receipt of benefits-related free school meals but who we believe could benefit from HAF.

Please discuss with your school, setting or by contacting Northamptonshire Sport at [email protected] if you feel that you or your child would benefit from HAF provision.

Support with childcare costs

In addition to accessing HAF there is financial support to aid with the cost of childcare or accessing Ofsted approved activity clubs for young people (0 to 17 eligibilities may apply).

Further information is available at Childcare Choices for Tax Free Childcare for support whilst you study, the childcare element of universal and tax credits, and government funded childcare for children aged two, three and four.