Break-Away School Holiday Programmes
The Government is investing $3.0 million each year in Break-Away School Holiday Programmes, a new initiative that provides stimulating, fun and structured holiday activity for young people aged 11-17 years who would not normally have access to holiday programmes.
The programme aims to provide young people with constructive activities that help them take advantage of new opportunities, and manage and respond positively to challenges.
It is part of the Break-Away package of initiatives designed to expand holiday opportunities for young people who would not otherwise have access to them. The other initiatives are the Break-Away Prime Minister’s Youth Programme and the Break-Away Residential Holiday Respite Camps for children in care.
» Read the Frequently Asked Questions about the Break-Away Package
» Read more about the Fresh Start Package
Key elements
Break-Away funds 30,000 one-week school holiday programme places for young people aged 11-17 years each year.
The programmes start in January 2010 with 15,000 one week places available to June 2010. This will move up to 30,000 places available each year from July 2010.
Young people can refer themselves on the programme, or they can be referred by parents or others in the community.
The programme will be available at no cost to participants. They provide daily activities for a week at a time over the school holiday periods.
Tender Process
Family and Community Services will contract community-based providers, including those with a focus on physical activity and recreation to run the Break-Away School Holiday Programmes in the targeted areas. Providers will be funded $100 for each one week placement.
They will be selected through the standard tendering process. Key dates for this are:
| 28 September 2009 | Request for Proposal opens on GETS website |
| 16 October 2009 | Tenders close |
| Early December 2009 | Tenderers advised of the outcome of applications |
| 11 January 2010 | Break-Away School Holiday Programmes commence |
Standards for the programmes are included in the Request for Proposal Document.
» Read the Break-Away School Holiday Programme Fact Sheet - 152kb
More information
The Family and Community Services team are not able to engage with potential applicants or assist with proposals. At this stage of the tender process our National Accounting Centre has taken over all aspects of the tender process.
To assist providers who may have questions or need information without compromising the tender process NAC has made the following suggestions:
- access the website link www.gets.govt.nz
- contact the GETS Helpdesk, which is available from 9am – 5pm week days on
04 - 474 2963, they will assist the provider through the online process - the provider can quote the GETS reference number for the Break-Away School Holiday Programme, which is: 27411
- or email queries to info@gets.govt.nz
