Homestay host: code of conduct for hosting students under 18

When you host a student aged 16–17, you are expected to provide a safe home environment and act as a responsible adult while they are staying with you. If you have a concern about a student’s welfare, you must report it promptly so the right help can be arranged.

This Code of Conduct sets out minimum safeguarding and welfare standards. It is designed to protect students, hosts and household members, and to support safe, successful placements.

This Code applies to:

• The main host named on the booking.
• Other adults normally resident in the home.
• Any adult staying in the home overnight during an under-18 placement (including friends or relatives). See Section 12 for reporting requirements.

If you are unsure whether someone counts as an adult normally resident in the home, tell London Homestays.

You must:

• Treat students respectfully and without discrimination.
• Use appropriate language and behaviour at all times.
• Be patient and supportive, recognising cultural differences and the challenges of living away from home.
• Maintain a calm home environment. If problems arise, contact London Homestays for support.

You must:

• Keep the accommodation safe, clean and in good repair.
• Make sure safety equipment you provide (for example smoke alarms) is working.
• Tell London Homestays promptly about any safety issue that may affect a placement (see the Contact page or call 020 8395 0333).
• Ensure any entertainment in the home is age-appropriate (TV, films, music and gatherings).

You must:

• Ensure a responsible adult from the host household is in the home overnight during an under-18 placement.
• Tell London Homestays as soon as possible if you cannot be present overnight for any reason (for example, a night shift), so that a safe arrangement can be agreed in advance.

You must:

• Respect the student’s privacy. Bedrooms are private spaces; knock and wait before entering unless there is an immediate safety concern.
• Ensure students have privacy when using the bathroom and when in their bedroom.
• Dress appropriately and maintain professional boundaries.
• Avoid unnecessary physical contact and any behaviour that could be misinterpreted.
• Not engage in any sexual behaviour or sexual relationship with a student placed by London Homestays.
• Not share photos or personal information about the student online without appropriate consent.

Any allegation or concern will be escalated in line with safeguarding procedures and may be referred to the police and relevant safeguarding authorities.

You must:

• Explain house rules and routines on arrival (meals, laundry, visitors, quiet hours, use of shared spaces).
• Exchange contact details with the student on arrival and agree how they will keep you updated if delayed.
• Ensure students understand kitchen safety rules (for example, which appliances require supervision).

You must:

• Not offer or permit an under-18 student to drink alcohol, smoke, vape, use illegal drugs, or gamble.
• Report concerns promptly to London Homestays if you believe a student is doing any of the above, or if you find alcohol, vaping equipment, drugs or drug paraphernalia, or evidence of gambling linked to the placement.

You must:

• Follow the curfew arrangements set out in the booking confirmation and any agreed parental or guardian permissions.
• Expect the student to keep you informed if they will be late, and to follow the agreed process for checking in.
• Not agree to an under-18 student staying away overnight unless London Homestays has confirmed to you in advance that this has been approved through the appropriate channels.

• There is immediate danger to the student or others.
• The student is injured or seriously unwell and needs urgent medical help.
• The student is missing and you believe they may be at risk.

• You have a safeguarding concern (follow the Child Protection Policy reporting route).
• A student has not returned at the expected time but there is no immediate danger.
• There is a significant issue with the placement and you need advice on next steps.

For general queries, use the Contact page or call 020 8395 0333. Out-of-hours emergency support: emergency contact details are provided at booking confirmation and via our office voicemail.

You must:

• Act immediately in an emergency.
• Raise safeguarding concerns promptly using the reporting route in the Child Protection Policy.
• Not investigate concerns yourself.
• Keep a factual record of what you saw or heard, including dates, times, and the student’s own words where possible.

If a student discloses information that makes you concerned for their safety, you should:

• Listen calmly and take what they say seriously.
• Reassure them they have done the right thing by speaking up.
• Not promise confidentiality.
• Explain that you will need to share the information with someone who can help.
• Report it promptly (or call 999 if there is immediate danger).

DBS checks for the main host for under-18 placements. Other adults normally resident in the home are also subject to criminal record checks.

Our policy is that the main host must have an individual DBS check. If your household circumstances change (for example, a new adult moves in), you must tell London Homestays promptly. Further checks may be required before a placement can continue or start.

You must tell London Homestays immediately about:

• Any new adult normally resident in the home.
• Any adult staying overnight during an under-18 placement — including new partners, friends or relatives, even for one night.
• Any new regular visitor who will be in the home frequently during the placement (even if they are not staying overnight).
• Any police involvement, criminal charges or convictions relating to household adults, where this may affect suitability to host.

Do not allow an adult to stay overnight in the home during an under-18 placement unless London Homestays has confirmed this is acceptable.

If we cannot confirm suitability, we may pause new placements and/or end or pause an active placement while we review the situation.

London Homestays may take action if this Code is not followed. This may include additional support or guidance, pausing placements, ending a placement, or removing a host from our register. Where appropriate, concerns may be escalated to the police, local authority safeguarding services, and/or other relevant organisations.

For more safeguarding information, reporting routes and related policies, see our Safety hub.

Related documents:

• Child Protection Policy
• Hosting students under-18s: a guide for host families
• Student code of conduct (under-18s)
• Prevent Policy
• Data Protection Notice