Read our FAQs
1. Is this related to the Holiday Free School Meal Voucher scheme?
No. The Holiday Free School Meal Voucher scheme run by Gloucestershire County Council is in no way affiliated with HAF. If you are part of the voucher scheme, you are still eligible to participate in all aspects as HAF as long as your child receives benefits-related free school meals. Visit our free school meal vouchers page for more information.
2. Is my child eligible for HAF?
If your child attends school from reception to year 11 in Gloucestershire and receives benefits-related free school meals, your child is eligible for HAF.
3. What is the difference between HAF and HAP?
HAF is funded by the Department of Education and is only eligible for 4-16 year olds on free school meals. HAP is funded with grant funding which we applied for so that we could temporarily extend the HAF offer to all children in the Gloucestershire area.
4. How can I stay up to date on HAF news?
We run a weekly newsletter for parents which includes news and updates on the HAF programme, as well as handy, tricks, tips and recipes for your family. You can sign-up to receive these. We will also be posting updates on our social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter, and making sure that our website is up to date.
5. How do I sign up to the Children’s Activity Booking System (CABS)?
Once you have found the activity you wish to book through the Gloucestershire County HAF website click on it, then in the top right corner click register. Fill in your details then you will be sent a confirmation email and your account will be set up to book activities. Check out this guide.
6. I’m having issues using the Children’s Activity Booking System (CABS) system
Please use the help resources available on the CABS system if you cannot access them please contact your provider or district lead directly who will be able to assist you on the matter.
7. I’m not sure what district I fall under
The name of your district will be on your most recent council tax bill.
8. When can I book activities for my child?
We will be announcing any updates around when bookings will go live across our social media as well our newsletter. Stay posted as we advise booking as soon as possible as places a taken fast!
9. When do the activities take place for Spring HAF 2022?
Activities will be running for 4 days this Spring between 11th-14th April. HAF will be returning this year both in the Summer and Winter Holidays.
10. I have booked an activity I can no longer attend. What should I do?
Log into your CABS account, go to ‘bookings’ and click ‘cancel booking’ for the event you wish to cancel. If the cancel button is unavailable, please get in contact with the details provided by the activity provider.
11. I need assistance with travel to the activity sites. How can you help?
We have been working closely with providers to ensure that transport can be accessed, if your child is unable to attend due to lack of transport please contact your district lead who will be able to assist you.
12. My child needs extra support due to a disability. How can you help?
We have been working hard to make sure that every eligible child in Gloucestershire has the opportunity to experience of HAF, regardless of circumstance. Which is why we have been working with Active Impact, to facilitate training for all of our providers to ensure they meet the needs of SEND young people.
We encourage you to get in contact with the activity providers to learn more about how they can meet the needs of your children before the day of the activity.
After this, if you still feel as though your child’s specific needs may not be met, please contact us at HAFParentEnquiries@gloucestershire.gov.uk.
13. My child has specific dietary requirements that the activity provider will not be able to cater for
If you feel your child(ren)’s dietary requirements will not be met by the provision please visit the children and young people with SEND page for more information on how you can access suitable and nutritional food for your children.
14. How do I find out about my local district offer?
To stay up to date with your localised district offer, you can follow them on social media or get in contact by email:
Gloucester City
Cheltenham
Forest of Dean
Cotswolds
Stroud
Tewkesbury
15. Are food hampers available again for Spring HAF 2022?
Once again, we will be offering families eligible for free school meals a food hamper during the school holiday period. This Spring, hampers will be funded via match funding, not the Department for Education.