Looking to the Future
The North Tyneside HAF Programme, easeINTO, is becoming an increasingly important support for local families. Continued efforts to expand reach, through social media, attendance at community events, and strong provider networks, have resulted in growing awareness and engagement across the borough.
However, a number of challenges remain. These include:
- Securing greater engagement from schools to help promote the programme
- Reducing non-attendance and short-notice cancellations
- Increasing participation among older children and young people
- Managing external factors such as poor weather, which can impact attendance and delivery
In response, the programme will continue to evolve, with the following key actions planned following lessons learned:
- Improve school engagement
Introduce posters in every school featuring a QR code to make it easier for families to sign up and access information. - Enhance the booking system
Simplify the in-house booking process to ensure it is more user-friendly and accessible for families. - Embed participant feedback
Continue to listen to children and families to inform decisions about which activities to fund and develop. - Maintain a diverse offer
Ensure ongoing delivery of a wide range of inclusive activities that reflect the needs and interests of North Tyneside’s varied communities. - Maximise access through booking limits
Introduce limits on the number of sessions each child can book:- Summer: 16 days per child
- Christmas and Easter: 4 days per child
This approach is informed by delivery data, which shows that families booking a high number of sessions are more likely to have lower attendance rates, resulting in unused places and reduced access for others. By implementing limits, the programme aims to reduce non-attendance and ensure a fairer distribution of places.
