Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme for children with SEND

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme provides free holiday activities and meals for children and young people in reception to year 11 who are eligible for benefits‑related Free School Meals (FSM) during the main school holidays.

Alongside universal HAF provision, Camden offers a small number of places for children and young people with SEND who may require a more tailored or supported environment.

Important information before you apply

We want to be open with families from the start:

  • SEND HAF places are limited and demand is higher than the number of places available
  • being eligible or applying does not guarantee a place
  • places are prioritised for children with limited access to other holiday support (e.g. Short Breaks)
  • some children with SEND may be able to attend mainstream HAF provision successfully with planning, communication and reasonable adjustments
  • transport is not provided as part of the HAF SEND offer, and families will need to arrange travel to and from the provision.

Our aim is to allocate places fairly, transparently and in a way that supports safety and inclusion.

Who SEND HAF places are prioritised for

SEND HAF places are prioritised for children and young people who:

  • have SEND (diagnosed or not yet diagnosed)
  • are eligible for benefits‑related Free School Meals
  • have limited access to other support during the school holidays (e.g. Short Breaks)
  • have additional vulnerabilities identified by a professional

Having other support in place does not reduce the importance of your child’s needs. Prioritisation helps avoid duplication and ensures support reaches families with limited access to other holiday provision.

Because capacity is limited, not all children with SEND can be offered a place, even if they meet the criteria above.

Types of SEND HAF provision

Universal provision

Mainstream HAF activities that aim to be inclusive and accessible for children and young people with SEND. Providers make reasonable adjustments so that children can take part alongside their peers. Suitable for children whose needs can be met within a mainstream setting with the right planning, communication and reasonable adjustments. Parents can self‑refer.

Targeted provision

HAF activities offering enhanced support or adapted sessions for children whose needs cannot be fully met through universal provision alone. May include quieter sessions, smaller groups or additional staff input at key points. Parents can self‑refer or ask a professional to make a referral.

Specialist provision

Highly tailored activities for children with more complex needs, delivered by specialist staff in adapted environments with higher staffing ratios. Access is through professional referral following consultation with the Children and Young People Disability Service (CYPDS). Capacity is limited, and meeting criteria does not guarantee a place.

Types of SEND support within HAF provision

Support is determined through onboarding and needs assessment:

  • universal support – suitable for mild to moderate needs; supported within general staffing ratios
  • floating support – for children needing additional help at specific times; usually around 1:3
  • 1:1 support – for children requiring close supervision throughout the session

Support offered depends on the child’s needs, the setting, and available staffing.

Accessing HAF provision for children and young people with SEND

Access depends on the type of provision available and the level of support a child needs. Universal provision may be suitable for some children, depending on their individual needs and the reasonable adjustments a provider can offer.

Transport is not provided as part of the HAF SEND offer, and families will need to arrange travel to and from the provision.

The importance of sharing your child’s needs in advance

It is important that providers understand your child’s needs before a place is offered. This helps them decide:

  • whether the provision is suitable
  • what level of support can be safely offered

We recognise that some families may find it difficult to share everything at the point of registration. However:

  • providers plan staffing and adjustments based on the information shared during registration and onboarding
  • if key information is not shared in advance, a place may need to be delayed or reviewed to ensure safety
  • sharing information will not reduce your chances of being considered

Early and open communication helps ensure decisions are safe, fair and appropriate.

How to apply for SEND HAF

You can apply for a SEND HAF place through the Young Camden Foundation.

Find out how to apply for HAF SEND Provision.

Why places are limited

SEND HAF places are limited because:

  • the programme has a fixed amount of funding each year
  • SEND provision requires higher staffing levels and specialist environments
  • demand for support continues to grow

These factors affect the overall number of places available, but decisions about individual children are based first and foremost on:

  • their needs
  • the suitability of the setting
  • the support required to ensure safety

Camden works closely with providers to use the available funding as fairly and effectively as possible, while ensuring decisions remain needs‑led and consistent.

If you are not offered a SEND HAF place

We understand this can be disappointing. If a place cannot be offered:

  • this does not reflect the importance of your child’s needs
  • it does not affect access to SEND services or education support

Families may wish to:

Get in touch

If you have questions about HAF or want advice, you can:

We continually review the SEND HAF programme to see how it can be better, so let us know your feedback.

Our commitment

Camden is committed to:

  • being transparent about what the SEND HAF offer can and cannot provide
  • allocating limited spaces as fairly and consistently as possible
  • continuing to review and improve the SEND HAF offer through ongoing consultation and co‑production with families, providers and professionals, using feedback and learning from each holiday period to refine processes and shape future improvements