Planning

Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme CAFS/2023/113

STOKE ON TRENT CITY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

06 Jan 2026 at 14:41

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement process detailed here is in the planning stage and is spearheaded by Stoke on Trent City Council. The tender is titled "Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme CAFS/2023/113," a service-related initiative aimed at providing recreational, cultural, and sporting services. The location for this project is Stoke-on-Trent, within the UKG23 region of the United Kingdom. A key aspect of this initiative is the market engagement day scheduled for 21st January 2026, with registration required by 16th January 2026. The procurement process, set to operate until May 2029, includes a significant budget allocation of £4,680,990, with a gross amount of £5,617,188.

This tender offers substantial opportunities, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) capable of managing and delivering activities under a lead provider model. It is ideal for businesses specialising in the provision of recreational and educational programmes aimed at enhancing the wellbeing and skills of school-aged children. The HAF Programme also supports strategic long-term partnerships and innovation, which could lead to sustained collaborations and growth opportunities in the public sector. Businesses with expertise in welfare services and community engagement would find this tender particularly beneficial.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme CAFS/2023/113

Notice Description

The Department for Education (DfE) informed local authorities that as part of its Best Start in Life mission, the government confirmed the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Programme will be extended until May 2029. The HAF contract would operate under a lead provider model who would be responsible for the sub-contracting, management, co-ordination and delivery of activities through providers. The HAF programme provides enriching activities and nutritious meals supporting health, wellbeing and learning readiness as well as supporting parents and carers. This multi-year settlement will enable more strategic planning, innovation, and long-term partnerships, supporting value for money and ensuring that children and young people continue to benefit from enriching holiday experiences and nutritious meals. The programme runs through the Easter, Summer and Winter school holidays and is a holiday provision for school aged children from reception to year 11 (inclusive) who receive benefits-related free school meals and attend a Stoke-on-Trent school. School holidays can be pressure points for some families because of increased costs, such as food and childcare and reduced incomes. For some children that can lead to a holiday experience gap, with children from disadvantaged families less likely to access organised out-of-school activities. They are more likely to experience 'unhealthy holidays' in terms of nutrition and physical health and more likely to experience social inclusion. Returning to school, after the school holidays (Easter, Summer & Christmas), in poor physical and mental health can have a detrimental impact on children's mental and physical wellbeing, as well as their educational attainment. As a result of the above and this programme, the DfE want to children who attend this provision to: * Eat healthily over the school holidays * Be active during the school holidays * Take part in engaging and enriching activities which support the development of resilience, character and wellbeing along with their wider educational attainment * Be safe and not to be socially isolated * Have a greater knowledge of health and nutrition * Be more engaged with school and other local services * For families to develop their understanding of nutrition and food budgeting * Families are signposted towards other information and support, for example, health, employment and education. Since 2022, the HAF programme has provided 15.6 million HAF days, including nearly 5 million during 2023 to 2025 across Winter, Summer and Easter delivery and helps parents to make savings of over PS300 a year.

Planning Information

We are going to hold the market engagement day on Wednesday 21st January 10.30am - 11.30pm. To register your interest in attending the event please email Rebecca.Horton@stoke.gov.uk by 12noon on 16th January 2026.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060030
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000721-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

CPV Codes

92000000 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£4,680,990 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Jan 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
6 Feb 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 May 2026 - 31 May 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
STOKE ON TRENT CITY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
categorymanagement@stoke.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
STOKE-ON-TRENT
Postcode
ST4 1HH
Post Town
Stoke-on-Trent
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG2 Shropshire and Staffordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG23 Stoke-on-Trent
Delivery Location
TLG23 Stoke-on-Trent
Local Authority
Stoke-on-Trent
Electoral Ward
Hartshill Park & Stoke
Westminster Constituency
Stoke-on-Trent Central

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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