General FAQ

All activities can be found on our website, you can search for an activity by distance from your home, area, activity and age.

HAF offers activities during Easter, Summer, and Winter holidays.

Some activities will only be open to families with a unique code, others are open to everyone and you will not need a code. If you are interested in an activity contact the provider who will be able to help.

For afterschool and half-term activities in your area, visit www.goplaysandwell.co.uk.

Some activities will only be open to families with a unique code, others are open to everyone and you will not need a code. If you are interested in an activity contact the provider who will be able to help.

HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) ID Codes are unique codes issued to every child that meets the eligibility criteria. This includes children eligible for Benefit Related Free School Meals, children with an EHCP and children who are Looked After. Vouchers are issued through schools through email or text directly to parents.

If you meet the criteria you will receive an E-voucher up to 3 weeks before the HAF holiday through email. Parents will be given a unique set of codes for each child, they need these codes to book activities. HAF only runs during the Easter, Summer and Winter holidays. No HAF codes will not be issued during half-term.

If your child has not received a code within the 3 week time scale please contact the team using the contact form on the website, we will be happy to help.

Don’t meet the eligibility criteria but looking for activities? Check out the website and social media platforms for activities that provide universal (free for everyone) or paid places.

If your child receives Benefit Related Free School Meals or has an EHCP, are Looked After or have No Recourse to Public Funding you will receive a HAF E-voucher with a unique code each holiday period via email or text (a bit like the FSM supermarket vouchers) you will need this code to book activities. Book activities through the Link within the email or text.

If your child does not receive Benefit Related Free School Meals then contact the provider directly.

Children who are eligible for benefit related free school meals or have an EHCP, are Looked After or have No Recourse to Public Funding –

Step 1 – Parent / carer receives an email or text message from HolidayActivities.com

Step 2 – If they have not used Holiday Activities before, Parent / carer need to create an account using email or Facebook.

Step 3 – Parent / Carer is asked to add their mobile number and child’s age.

Step 4 – parent / carers holiday vouchers will now link to their account and show the available credits

Step 5 – Parents / carers can share their location to search activities in their locality, they can also search by date, provider or SEND

Step 6 – Parent / Carer can browse and view activities

Step 7 – when ready to book click ‘select date’ button

Step 8 – parent / carers complete their details, child’s details and emergency contact details

Step 9 – Parents / carers need to confirm they have read the terms and conditions and click ‘complete booking’

Step 10 – Parent / Carer can return to the activity and book more dates or return to their vouchers or manage their bookings.

General advice and guidance – please complete the ‘contact us’ form on the website

Issues with your Evoucher code – suupport@evouchers.com

Compliments, concerns or complaints – HAF_sandwell@sandwell.gov.uk

All providers have to submit their safeguarding policies and DBS information. Caregivers and children can feel completely reassured that we continually work with all our provisions and make monitoring visits to ensure they are creating a safe environment for children in their care and are protected from any harm.

In some family activities, parents must stay with their children. Due to safeguarding, parents cannot stay with their kids in some activities. We will inform whether the family activity involves the participation of parents or not. If your child is hesitant, parents can talk with the providers to find ways to reassure the child to stay.

You know and understand your child’s needs and abilities best. The activity descriptions and essential information will help you to decide. If in doubt, contact the provider who will be able to discuss this with you.

Please contact the provider directly if your child is unable to attend any of the activities

Many families in Sandwell could get benefit related free school meals but don’t claim for them. Your child may be entitled to free school meals if:

• your annual income is less than £16,190; and
• you claim Child Tax Credit (*Not Including Working Tax Credit) only

Please email education_benefits@sandwell.gov.uk

If you have any enquiries regarding free school meals or for more information visit: Sandwell Free School Meals

The provider will be able to confirm this with you once your place has been confirmed.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 allow us to hold information about children and families as part of our duty to support families.

However, the law says we must:

• only hold information that we need for the delivery of the programme
• only use the information for that reason
• make sure the information we hold is accurate
• keep the information only for as long as it is needed
• make sure we only use the data lawfully and do not breach your rights as the owner of this information
• keep the data secure at all times.

Information about how the Council uses your data is available at Sandwell Privacy Notice

Our activities aim to include your child’s needs wherever and whenever possible. There are a couple of activities that are specific to children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). This is indicated on the booking site. Each activity describes the activity, and what your child can expect. This will help you to decide if this activity could meet your child’s needs.

Please book your child into activities that you feel will meet their interest and ability. The activity provider may be in touch with you to further understand your child’s need and discuss any additional support your child may need to engage in the activity they booked onto. If you wish to discuss your child’s needs with the provider then you can contact them directly.