If your child attends one of our holiday camps with a HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) funded place, or you’re thinking of applying for one, this guide covers who is eligible, what has changed from September 2026, and how to book.

What’s changing from September 2026?

More children will now get Free School Meals in school, because eligibility is expanding to all families receiving Universal Credit.

HAF, however, is still linked to Targeted Free School Meals only. Some children will get free meals at school but won’t automatically qualify for a HAF funded place.

Is my child eligible for HAF?

Usually yes, if your child:

+ Receives Targeted Free School Meals (TFSM)

+ Has been given a HAF code or invitation by their school or local authority

+ Meets the current HAF criteria set by your local authority

Worth checking with your local HAF team first, if your child:

+ Has SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)

+ Is known to social care

+ Is a young carer

+ Is experiencing additional vulnerabilities or family hardship

Some local authorities use discretionary funding to offer places to children with additional needs, but this is decided locally. Having SEND does not automatically mean your child is entitled to a HAF place.

Not automatically eligible, if your child:

+ Only receives Universal Infant Free School Meals

+ Receives the new Expanded Free School Meals but doesn’t meet the Targeted criteria

+ Has SEND but hasn’t been allocated a HAF place

+ Hasn’t been confirmed as eligible by the local authority or provider

Not sure which applies to you? Your child’s school, your local HAF team, or our team can point you in the right direction.

Booking your child’s place

Booking is essential. We manage bookings for our own camps, so please:

+ Contact us directly

+ Book in advance and follow our booking process

+ Check session times and any requirements

Places can be limited because of venue capacity, staffing ratios, health and safety requirements, and specialist provision, so we’d recommend booking early.

Please don’t just turn up. Arriving on the day doesn’t guarantee a place. We may not be able to admit children who haven’t been booked on, haven’t completed the required paperwork, or need support arrangements that haven’t been discussed beforehand.

If your child has SEND

Please get in touch before booking. We can talk through whether the camp can meet your child’s needs, what support they might need, and whether specialist provision is available. Not all providers can offer the same level of SEND support, so a conversation up front helps make sure your child has a great time.

Get in touch

Questions about eligibility, availability or booking? Contact our team on via email at customercare@ultimatekidsltd.co.uk, or call us on 0151 662 0300