If this is your first time using our services or you have changed the organisation you work for, then you will need to register first. Please read the below carefully.

You will need to work for an organisation focussed on supporting families on an ongoing basis. This is so you can help families prepare for their holiday, support them to make the most of their experience when they are away and to help them settle back into day-to-day life when they come home.

Referring organisations must be either a registered charity or a statutory provided service. This usually means you work in one of the following settings:

• Registered charities that provide services related to families. 
• Government provided children's and family support departments such as social services and community health teams. 
• Family support NHS services. 
• Ofsted registered schools, nurseries, and children’s centres.
• Registered refuge and domestic abuse support agencies.

Referrers that work in these organisations usually have these kinds of roles:

• Family support worker 
• Social worker 
• Health visitor 
• Teacher 
• Refuge support worker

The role of the referrer
You will need to support the family every step of the way throughout the process, this will include the following:

• Obtaining the family’s consent to share their personal information.
• Submitting the holiday application form.
• If the family are offered a holiday, then supporting the family in choosing the best holiday option for them.
• Being on hand to provide emotional and logistical support before they go away and while they are on holiday.
• Ensuring that the family submit their pre and post-holiday surveys.
• Completing the referrer post-holiday surveys.

Who you can apply for
There are lots of families going through tough times who cannot get away together. We want to make the biggest difference we can to as many families as we can. We focus our holiday offers on families who:

• Are on a low income (a household income of less than £24,000).* 
• Have not had a holiday together in the last 4 years. 
• Have at least one child under 18 who will go on the holiday. 

*Income excludes non-means tested benefits

Please click the button below to register to become a referrer. If you are already registered and none of your details have changed then you do not need to fill this in again.

All registrations are reviewed and approved manually by the team. This means that you will not receive a verification email immediately. During busy periods there can sometimes be a delay in processing referrer registrations.

Before submitting a holiday application for a family you are supporting, please read this important information as our processes have changed.

As a charity dependent on voluntary donations, the funding we have available is different each year and is not guaranteed. Our mission is to support as many families as possible with the funding that we have.  Please consider this carefully before applying and when managing a family’s expectations about whether an application may be successful or not.
 

Appling for a holiday
To make an application you can do so by following the application link that will be sent to you via email when you register with us or in our regular email updates.


Hearing from us
Once we have received your application it will be held until we are able to action the application. The application will then be assessed and if successful a holiday offer will be sent to the referrer via email. Applications submitted to us are eligible for a maximum of 12 months, if we are unable to offer the family a holiday within this time we will email you to let you know. 

Booking a holiday
When it is time to book the holiday you will receive an email from us that will contain instructions on how to book, any restrictions that apply, what can be booked and what is included. You will need to spend time discussing with the family where and when they want to go, and what type of holiday will be best for the family.

If any of the family’s circumstances change after you submit the application or if they no longer wish to go, then we will need to be informed immediately.  


Types of holidays available
The travel provider that we work with has a friendly team of travel experts who will be on hand to help you and the family book the holiday and to help make the process as easy and straight forward as possible. The travel provider has access to a wide range of fantastic holidays that include self-catered caravans, lodges, and cottages across the UK.


Getting ready to go
You will need to be on hand to help the family plan and prepare for the holiday with things like, travel arrangements, what to pack, how to budget and what to do if they need help at any point. Your role will be to support the family in making their holiday a positive and exciting experience.


The difference that the holiday has made
The lead name on the application form will be emailed a pre and post-holiday survey which will need to be completed as part of the holiday offer. We will also send you the referrer your own post-travel survey that you will need to fill in once you have had a chance to catch up with the family after the holiday. 

Understanding the difference that the holiday has made to the family is a vital part of our work. We always anonymise the data that is gathered before using it in any way.

We use the data gathered to report to funders on the difference that the holiday has made to families, to help make improvements to our services and to help us secure funding again in the future so that we can help even more families have time away together.

We hope that the family does not encounter any problems whilst on holiday, but if they do have any issues, please use the below guidance for who they should contact.


In an emergency
If the situation the family is facing is of a serious nature or life threatening, then they should call the emergency services on 999.

If a member of the family needs medical assistance but the condition is not life-threatening, then they should call 111 for professional medical advice.


Train travel
If the family have booked their train travel through Inspire and they are having difficulties due to train strikes or train cancellations at any point prior to the holiday or on the day, then you or the family should contact Inspire directly on 01614 406 610.

After Sales opening hours:
Monday to Friday - 09:00 - 17:00


Checking into the accommodation
If the family are having trouble accessing the accommodation and it is during reception opening hours, they should head to on-site reception for assistance. Outside of these hours, on-site security can often be found at the main gate of the holiday park (if applicable) to help them. The family should bring a copy of the booking confirmation when seeking assistance.

If the family is arriving out of reception opening hours, then please ensure that you or the family have contacted the accommodation provider in advance to let them know and to confirm what the checking in procedure is. For individual cottages and lodges please check the booking confirmation documentation in advance.


Maintenance issues
If the family experiences any problems with their accommodation, then it is important that it is reported straight away to the site reception so that the maintenance or cleaning team can resolve the issue. If the reception is closed and the matter is urgent, then the family will need to visit site security at the main gate. The accommodation provider will often provide a welcome pack at check in or within the accommodation that contains useful contact numbers for if the family need to report an issue.


Safeguarding
If the family is concerned about the welfare of a child or adult whilst on holiday, then they should contact reception or the site security immediately. If their concern is of a serious nature or life-threatening then they should call 999.

If the family has a concern whilst they are on the journey to and from the holiday destination, such as at a service station or whilst using public transport, then they should contact a member of staff at the relevant location to report their concerns. If their concern is of a serious nature or life-threatening then they should call 999.

Further information about our Safeguarding policy can be found here.