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Guardianship FAQs
Do I have to organise a guardian for my child whilst they are at boarding school?
All schools will ask for a guardianship arrangement, especially if students are under 18 years old. Visa nationals will have to have a suitable care arrangement to be declared as part of their application. We can supply a visa support letter to you for you once you have applied for guardianship.
How do I organise a guardian for my child?
We understand that choosing the right guardianship agency for you can be stressful, and so we want to make the process as simple as possible. Please fill in our guardianship application form and an office based guardianship manager will be in touch to let you know how to proceed.
What are the rates for guardianship packages?
Our rates vary dependent on which package you choose. Click here for a full list of guardianship packages.
Do you offer different levels of care?
We offer different packages to cater to each family’s needs for their child. For more information on the packages we provide, click here.
What does the guardian do?
The guardian has an endless list of duties – the basics of guardianship are 24-7 emergency support, organising airport transfers, arranging host family accommodation and making sure students feel well looked after. Additional duties may include helping purchase items such as school uniform or sports equipment. We have arranged birthday cakes to share with friends in boarding houses, and we have even helped move a horse from Spain to the UK for a student.
Can I meet the local guardian and homestay?
Parents and students are more than welcome to meet the local guardian and we would encourage this if you visit the UK. Visiting a host family is more challenging because the family may feel it is an inspection of their home and if they are unable to host due to other commitments, parents may feel disappointed.
Are your guardians police-checked?
All of the guardians are DBS-checked, and are personally known by the staff, giving you the knowledge that your child is in safe hands.
Can I stop the service when I reach 18 years old?
Your school will probably insist that even if you are 18, a guardian must be there to support and assist you. Please check with your school before trying to terminate the service on your 18th birthday.
What happens if my guardian is suddenly not available?
If a local guardian falls ill or is otherwise not available, they have an assigned deputy that will take over responsibility. Students are never left without support.
How do you recruit your host families?
(This is only relevant to host families relating to the guardianship scheme, and not London Homestays regular host families)
Majority of our host families join us by word of mouth – each local guardian will have a bank of host families that you are welcome to use at any time.
How do you check your host families?
(This is only relevant to host families relating to the guardianship scheme, and not London Homestays regular host families)
Each family is inspected by our local coordinator on arrival to see if the accommodation, living space and bathrooms are suitable for hosting our students. The family will fill in a police-check form known as a DBS which we send to the police who send us a full report on them. This check is done for all members of the family over 16 years old. The reports are renewed every three years. The family must also carry out a gas safety check each year and submit their certificate to us.
How do you choose a host family for each student?
(This is only relevant to host families relating to the guardianship scheme, and not London Homestays regular host families)
We ask in our application form what type of host family you like to live with and we ask that you put as much information as possible here, with children, with pets, near a gym, older or younger family. This information is given to your local guardian and when you would like to stay with a family, they will place you based on the information you have given.
Will there be other students in the host family?
(This is only relevant to host families relating to the guardianship scheme, and not London Homestays regular host families)
Possibly, up to a maximum of three.
What happens if I don’t suit my family and I would like to change?
(This is only relevant to host families relating to the guardianship scheme, and not London Homestays regular host families)
We understand that there may be rare occasions that the match is not perfect. Most issues arise from miscommunication or human chemistry not working. In these cases, the local coordinator will visit the gamily to speak with everyone and try to find a solution. If they feel there is no solution, we will change host family without question.
Testimonials
“We have been working with London Homestays since 2011. With their support, we have managed to achieve a high level of customer satisfaction. We strongly recommend London Homestays to anyone who’s looking for quality, reliability and exceptional customer service.”
Alex Fernandes, Accommodation & Visa Compliance Manager, Malvern House London
“Having worked with them since 2013, I can state that London Homestays have always taken care to match our students with suitable host families. They have a very friendly yet professional approach to their work. Our students have enjoyed staying at their homestays. Overall, students say that their host families are attentive and welcoming.”
Carl Roberton, Principal, Stafford House School of English
“We at Burlington School have worked with London Homestays since 2014, and I professionally know the team since 2009 when I worked for another company in the education and accommodation industry. Having had the opportunity to work with London Homestays since the company started operations in London, all of the enquiries have been dealt with in a dedicated and timely manner, the team members are customer-oriented and always provide an exceptional accommodation experience to our students. I have no hesitation to recommend London Homestays as excellent accommodation providers and business partners.”
Eliane Tomasi, Accommodation & Welfare Officer, Burlington School
“LSC Stanton has been working with London Homestays since 2011 and we are very pleased with the quality of accommodation and service they give to us. We have a good relationship with the team and they are always on hand to deal with any last-minute requests.”
Nick Bray, Managing Director, London Study Centre.
“Cooperation with London Homestays is always great! We highly appreciate proactive approach and effort to ensure the best possible services for our groups. We always had a great clean accommodation, friendly family and smart local organisers. Students of our groups were satisfied and they enjoyed staying in London very much. We would like to recommend this agency. The whole team is very kind.”
Miroslava Foltýnová, Owner, CK Bus Tours.
“We offer internships in London to European students and looked for a reliable partner to provide accommodation to our candidates. We have been very happy with the services provided by London Homestays, as have our candidates, as they have always received quickly information on families, the possibility to book a room in a short delay and also a good quality of families. I would recommend without any doubt this agency. The team is very professional, efficient and friendly :). We hope to send new trainees soon!”
Stéphanie Frassanito, Program Manager, Work Overseas
“Our school from the Czech Republic has had great experiences with London Homestays. They are one of the only hosting agencies who would accept our very young guests (under 12). The host families were generally welcoming, kind, and accommodating. The service provided by the coordinator Kate O’Connor and other admin staff is second to none.”
Kate Powers, Vice Principal for English Studies, Sunny Canadian International School
It was an amazing experience, I’ve found a new home where I feel as comfortable as I do in my own home!
Laura, student from France: Homestay booking in Zone 2
“When my children went off to university and got married, my husband and I were empty nesters rattling around. We have an empty bedroom and I quite enjoy keeping it fresh for new students who come to stay with us both short and long term. Invariably, they show us a lot of respect. Coming to London to study or to work as interns is a big adventure for them and I enjoy settling them in and seeing them flourish. Some return or recommend to their friends to come and stay with us. London Homestays are a great organisation to deal with – good at communicating and highly ethical.”
Cathy, Homestay host in Colindale, London
“My first student has just left to return home and I have thoroughly enjoyed hosting her. It has been a lovely experience for me to help her with her English and learn about her Japanese culture.
I was nervous and apprehensive at first but it was so worthwhile and I look forward to continue hosting in the future. It has given me a boost knowing that I can give someone an opportunity that they may not have been able to afford without using London Homestays”
Audrey, Homestay host in Tooting, London
My homestay host Debra transformed my stay into the most amazing experience of my whole life!
Florian, student from Belgium: Homestay booking in Zone 3
My homestay host is a lovely lady, she was very helpful and genuine. London Homestays offer an excellent, fast service and quality accommodation. I would definitely recommend to my friends!
Shelaine, student from Canada: Homestay booking in Zone 2
Daphne was a really nice and welcoming host, I really enjoyed my stay with her and her family. Thank you London Homestays for connecting me with her!
Ben, researcher from USA: Superior homestay booking
My stay with my host family makes my time at UK much more fun and exciting! Life is happening!
Bao, student from China: Homestay booking in Zone 4+
“Really, we are very happy with our room at the residence. James in the residences team has helped us with all aspects of our booking and we would like to say, big thank you from the bottom of our hearts!”
Dmitriy and Maria, two students from Russia: Residence booking
“I felt completely at ease and very comfortable with my host! She was really kind…many thanks!”
Doris, student from Italy: Superior homestay in Zone 2
“Shanghai Chelsea International Consulting (SCIC) has worked with Home from Home many times and they have provided a very professional service.”
Chan Sen, Director at Shanghai Chelsea International ConsultingLatest From the BLOG
