Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps with local authorities to broaden holiday club access to SEND children and families during holiday periods.

This government is determined to ensure that there is high quality, accessible childcare for all children and families, including children with additional needs. The holiday activities and food (HAF) programme funding is primarily for school-aged children from reception to year 11 (inclusive) who receive benefits-related free school meals (FSM).

The majority of funding that local authorities receive should be used for holiday club places for children in receipt of FSMs. However, local authorities have discretion to use up to 15% of their funding to provide free or subsidised holiday club places for children who are not in receipt of benefits-related free school meals, but who the local authority believe could benefit from HAF provision, which could include children with special educational needs. Local authorities are responsible for understanding the needs of the children and families in their area and ensuring that the programme reaches those who need it the most.