Councils Turn to Digital Solutions to Transform HAF Delivery Amid Rising Demand
As the cost-of-living crisis continues to affect families across the UK, councils are under increasing pressure to ensure every eligible child benefits from the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. A recent government announcement reveals that working parents could save up to £7,500 a year through expanded support - including 30 hours of childcare and another £600 million investment to extend the HAF programme for the next three years. GOV.UK
Despite their best efforts, many councils still rely on outdated processes such as manual spreadsheets, email-based bookings and disconnected systems that make it difficult to verify eligibility, manage attendance and report results efficiently. The result? Duplicate bookings, unfilled funded places, and time-consuming administration that pulls resources away from service delivery.
Digital Innovation Key to Smarter, Fairer HAF Programmes
Forward-thinking councils are now turning to digital transformation to modernise how HAF programmes are managed. By implementing centralised online booking and management systems, authorities can simplify the process for families, empower providers to manage activities directly, and gain real-time insights into participation and capacity.
Digital tools bring fairness, efficiency and transparency to every stage of the process. Families can book activities quickly and securely, while councils can ensure every funded place is filled, track attendance accurately, and generate instant, compliant reports - all while reducing administrative pressure on stretched teams.
Zipporah Ltd: Driving a Smarter, Fairer Future for HAF
Zipporah Ltd is at the forefront of this transformation, our HAF Booking System is helping councils across the UK deliver smoother, smarter, and more accountable HAF programmes.
The cloud-based system ensures that every eligible child gets access to funded places, while councils benefit from automated workflows, accurate reporting and seamless provider management. Zipporah’s platform reduces manual tasks, minimises risk and saves both time and money, freeing local authorities to focus on supporting families and improving outcomes.
“Councils need modern, digital solutions that make the HAF programme as effective and accessible as possible,” said our Technical Director, Scott Burton. “Our system ensures that resources are used where they’re needed most - improving transparency, efficiency, and fairness across the board.”
Zipporah - empowering councils to deliver smarter, fairer services for every community!
To learn more, visit: applytosupply.digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk/g-cloud/services/144719099349628 or email: info@zipporah.co.uk
