Scope
Reference
DN796612 / C4956
Description
Cheshire East Council is seeking to commission a number of providers to deliver face to face school holiday activities for young people in Cheshire East. The holiday activities and food (HAF) programme is a 'Department for Education' (DfE) initiative enabling local authorities to coordinate a programme that provides school age young people between the ages of 4 - 16, and up to age 18 for eligible SEND young people, with healthy food and enriching activities during the summer and winter holidays.
These school holiday activities provide young people with:
• positive and safe things to do and places to go
• the opportunity to spend time with friends, to develop personally and socially, and reduce isolation
• the chance to undertake new activities and have new experiences
Cheshire East Council is flexible in its approach to service delivery, always seeking solutions that will offer quality outcomes and value for money and working with delivery partners who share our values and commitment to the success of this area of support. Cheshire East Council's Corporate Plan sets out clear priorities, and all providers will be required to contribute towards the corporate objectives and improve outcomes for the people of Cheshire East.
It is the intention of Cheshire East Council to commission 'free to access' school holiday sessions/activities. Therefore, any bids submitted will cover the costs in full within the pricing and proposal schedule, without the need for subsidies from children and families accessing the session/activity.
Total value (estimated)
- £4,920,000 excluding VAT
- £4,920,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 March 2026 to 31 March 2029
- Possible extension to 31 March 2032
- 6 years, 1 month
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 55523100 - School-meal services
Contract locations
- UKD62 - Cheshire East
Engagement
Engagement deadline
24 November 2025
Engagement process description
Exciting New Cheshire East HAF Opportunity
We are pleased to share exciting news from the Cheshire East Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Team.
The HAF programme has been extended for a further three years, running from April 2026 to March 2029. As we look ahead, we are preparing to launch a new procurement opportunity that will enable us to work with a broad range of providers to deliver high-quality holiday experiences for children and young people across Cheshire East.
About the HAF Programme
The HAF programme is designed to support:
• Children and young people in receipt of https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/schools/school-meals/free_school_meals.aspx
• School-aged children from Reception to Year 11 (and up to age 18 for those with SEND)
• Provision during Easter, summer, and winter school holidays
• Access to enriching activities
• Access to healthy meals
Our Vision for the Future
We aim to ensure the HAF programme is:
• Widely accessible across Cheshire East
• Inclusive and welcoming to children and young people of all abilities
• Offering a vibrant and varied range of holiday experiences
• Featuring diverse activities that cater to a broad spectrum of interests and needs, including sport, drama, art, nature, science, crafts, and IT
We are keen to engage with as many providers as possible to help us realise this vision.
Join Us at Our Engagement Events
To support the procurement process, we will be hosting two online events:
HAF Programme Pre-Tender Information Event
Date: Wednesday 19 November
Time: 4.00pm-5.00pm
Purpose: To learn more about the upcoming procurement, ask questions, and explore how you can be involved.
HAF Programme Clarification Drop-In Event
Date: Wednesday 10 December
Time: 4.00pm-5.00pm
Purpose: An informal opportunity to ask further questions about the tender process.
To register for either or both events follow the link below:
https://forms.office.com/e/b07KpJ3n89
Please check your email for your invitation to the event. The email will come from cehaf@cheshireeast.gov.uk
If you do not receive your link to the event within 2 days please contact cehaf@cheshireeast.gov.uk
For more information about the current HAF programme, please visit: https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/schools/holiday-activities-and-food-programme-haf.aspx
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
24 November 2025
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Cheshire East Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PTWR-7124-XZXQ
Delamere House, Delamere Street
Crewe
CW12JZ
United Kingdom
Region: UKD62 - Cheshire East
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government