The Council has reinforced its commitment to its highly valued Holiday Hubs.
The Council has reinforced its commitment to its highly valued Holiday Hubs as it announces a new set of criteria for access to the school holiday provision for children and young people currently in P1 – S6 with Additional Support Needs.
For over two decades the Council has offered Holiday Hubs for families of children with additional support needs but in recent years this provision has expanded beyond the point at which it is sustainable with differing expectations of the provision and challenges around increasing need and potential inequalities.
Extensive consultation with families who use and rely on this school holiday support has taken place over the last 6-months as options for a new safe and sustainable model for Holiday Hubs have been discussed and explored.
Following agreement at Education, Children and Families Committee on 10 June, the City of Edinburgh Council has introduced new eligibility criteria for holiday hub support. The new criteria will ensure that holiday support is directed to children and young people in the City of Edinburgh with the most complex needs and vulnerability.
The new criteria will be applied to applications for academic session 2025/26 and will ensure that those with the most need will be allocated up to 4 weeks provision across the October break, February break, Easter and the Summer holidays. Details of the new criteria and how to apply can be found on the council website.
Applications for academic session August 2025 to August 2026 are now open. The closing date for applications is 10 August 2025.
Parents/carers of children who meet the criteria and wish to be considered for a place at a Holiday Hub, should apply online.
Families requiring support with their application should contact their school or email holidaysupport@edinburgh.gov.uk
Councillor James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convener said:
I warmly welcome the clarity that this new criteria offers families of children with additional support needs who rely on our holiday hub provision. Our focus over the past 6 months has been to secure a safe, achievable and sustainable way forward for Holiday Hubs while also exploring how we can best meet the needs of some of Edinburgh’s most vulnerable children, and their families. I want to thank all the parents and carers who have given up their time to share invaluable thoughts and views on holiday hub support. This is a positive step forward and my hope is that it offers reassurance to families as we look ahead to the new school year in August.