Free School Meal Eligibility Changes

• All children who currently receive benefits-related FSMs have been invited to reapply for FSMs. Reapply here if you haven’t done so
• Families will be assessed under the Government’s expended FSM criteria
• There will be 2 categories of FSM eligibility

Eligible Targeted = HAF eligible

Eligible Expanded = Not HAF eligible

• FSM Eligibility changes come into effect from September 2026
• Summer holiday HAF places can be attended by current FSM eligible children, regardless of their reassessment result
• Some families will lose their FSM eligible status from September 2026. However, these families can still access HAF over the summer holiday

**Check out the HAF eligibility flow charts!**  FSM eligibility flow chart - New FSM Applicant and FSM eligibility flowchart - FSM eligible 

They should help you see if your HAF eligibility is going to change.

HAF funded places are available to children in reception year at school up to age 16, who are in receipt of targeted free school meals.

Eligible children are entitled to the equivalent of six weeks HAF provision across the easter, summer and Christmas holidays.

Over easter - participating children can benefit from a minimum of 4 HAF places, with each day consisting of at least four hours of provision.

Over summer - participating children can benefit from a minimum of 16 HAF places, with each day consisting of at least four hours of provision.

Over Christmas - participating children can benefit from a minimum of 4 HAF places, with each day consisting of at least four hours of provision.

A child or young person does not have to use their full entitlement.

HAF activities for the Christmas holiday. or view the quick guide calendar will be available shortly.

Please contact the provider directly to book a place. Providers will be able to advise when they are ready to take HAF bookings for Christmas.

BCP Council has created an Access to Food Map showing community food support available throughout Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

The map provides information on community meals, cooked meal delivery and cooking workshops, as well as foodbanks and social supermarkets. You can view the map here.

Crisis and Resilience Fund

If you’re on a low income and facing financial difficulty or an emergency, support is available.

Funded by the UK government, the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) helps Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole residents who are struggling with the cost of living. It provides short-term help in a crisis and support to help people become more financially stable in the longer term.

Click here for information Crisis payment scheme | BCP

Apply for the Crisis and Resilience Fund Funding Connect

If you are not eligible for HAF funded places, or would like to pay for additional holiday sessions on top of your funded HAF places, you may be eligible for alternative childcare support.

Childcare Eligibility Checker - Best Start in Life Enter your details to help find out how you can save money on your childcare.

Best Start in Life - Best Start in Life

Visit our Childcare Funding information page: Childcare funding information & Additional childcare funding

You may be able to claim back up to 85% of childcare costs Universal Credit childcare costs - GOV.UK