Thousands of disabled children from low-income families may be missing out on free holiday clubs because they’re unable to access them, a new report has found.
A report from the Children’s Commissioner found disabled children eligible for free school meals were less likely to attend the government-funded Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme than non disabled children from similar backgrounds.
The report shows around 14% of eligible disabled children took part in the scheme during summer 2025, compared with 22% of non disabled children.
The HAF programme, which has a budget of £200m, provides free holiday clubs, meals and activities for children from disadvantaged families during school breaks.
Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said the figures showed a ‘significant disparity’ in access to the programme.
‘From Scouts hiking Hadrian’s Wall to talented young musicians in Suffolk, I love seeing joyful activities – where children are learning, making friends and getting a sense of being part of something bigger than themselves,’ she said, ‘But, sadly, for too many disabled children this is not what the start of summer feels like – too many of them tell me that they cannot even use their local playground, let alone go to a football, drama or arts club like their friends.’
According to the report, families faced a number of barriers, including transport, a lack of suitable activities and higher costs.
One 13-year-old boy told researchers: ‘Let me use my disability bus pass before 9:30am because I’m still disabled in the mornings.’
Separate research by disability charity Sense found 61,415 disabled children live in areas where there is no holiday club provision at all. The not-for-profit also found just 6% of disabled children receive any form of holiday support.
Dame Souza added: ‘I am calling for more resource to ensure that all areas are able to run fully inclusive HAFs, so that no disabled child misses out. This isn’t a pipedream.
‘There are great examples of inclusive HAFs offering adapted activities giving disabled children and their families special moments. From yoga to hockey to football. It means having fun: doing karaoke with their friends, painting their nails and dressing up; it means being creative: Making art with new materials, doing talent shows and getting to show their friends and family what they’ve achieved.’
The full report can be read here.
Photo: Yan Krukau
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