Child Protection Policy

We believe that safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults staying in our accommodation is of paramount importance. We are committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of age or nationality, at all times and in all situations feels safe and protected from any situation or practice that results in physical or psychological harm, including (but not limited to) neglect, non-accidental injury, sexual exploitation, and emotional ill-treatment.

All adults associated with students aged under 18 have a duty of care and responsibilities to safeguard those aged under 18. This means being aware, vigilant, and reporting any concerns (even minor ones) or allegations. Everyone who comes into contact with a child has a role to play in sharing information with the Designated Safeguarding Lead and taking prompt action following this policy.

It is not the responsibility of London Homestays, our staff, or our accommodation providers (hosts) to investigate concerns. Our responsibility is to receive, record and refer concerns appropriately, and follow advice from the relevant local authority safeguarding services and safeguarding partners.

This policy applies to under-18 homestay placements arranged by London Homestays (ages 16–17 only).

Key terms used in this policy:

• Concern: something that may not be right, based on what you have noticed or been told.
• Serious issue: a concern suggesting a child may be at risk of significant harm and requiring an urgent response.
• DSL: Designated Safeguarding Lead – the person responsible for receiving and managing safeguarding concerns.
• LADO: Local Authority Designated Officer – the local authority contact for managing allegations against adults who work with children (where applicable).

London Homestays meets its safeguarding responsibilities through safer recruitment, regular staff training, clear codes of conduct, child protection procedures and appropriate communication.

• Appoints a Designated Safeguarding Lead (and an alternative contact).
• Maintains and reviews safeguarding procedures and related policies.
• Ensures hosts used for under-18 placements meet additional safeguarding requirements (see Section 4).
• Receives and records safeguarding concerns and liaises with external safeguarding services when appropriate.
• Provides out-of-hours emergency support arrangements for urgent issues relating to current placements (details are provided at booking confirmation and via office voicemail).

• Follow the host code of conduct for under-18 placements and cooperate with safeguarding requirements.
• Report all concerns or serious issues promptly to London Homestays (do not investigate).
• Maintain appropriate supervision arrangements for under-18 students while they are at home (students are not supervised at all times).

• Provide appropriate pastoral care for students outside the homestay.
• Maintain their own safeguarding arrangements, including a trained safeguarding lead and emergency contact process.
• Ensure students and parents/guardians understand the supervision arrangements and key rules before booking.
• Share relevant welfare feedback with London Homestays so concerns can be recorded and addressed.

• Follow the under-18 student code of conduct and the house rules set by their host household.
• Curfew: students aged 16–17 must follow the curfew arrangements confirmed for their placement. Curfew times are subject to host and parental approval. As a guide, we suggest students aged 16–17 are home no later than 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 10.30 pm on all other days.
• Raise any concern about safety or wellbeing as soon as possible using the reporting routes in Section 5.

Before a student aged 16–17 is placed in homestay accommodation, London Homestays requires the following checks and procedures to be completed for the host household used for an under-18 placement:

• An initial home assessment before the first under-18 placement.
• Reassessment at least every two years.
• Where permitted, a video reassessment may be used in addition to in-person assessment requirements.

• Hosts provide original identification for verification and record keeping.
• Proof of address is obtained and retained in secure records.

DBS checks for hosts accommodating under-18s; adults normally resident in the home are also subject to criminal record checks for under-18 placements. Where suitable, this may be satisfied through a home-based/household DBS route, and individual DBS certificates may also be accepted where available.

• DBS evidence must be verified before the under-18 placement begins.
• As a general rule, DBS evidence should be current (e.g., within the last 3 years).
• Any disclosures are reviewed by senior management on a case-by-case basis, with clear records kept.

• Hosts complete a self-declaration relating to involvement with children’s services where applicable.
• Hosts provide suitable character references, verified in writing and checked by telephone or other appropriate means.
• Hosts complete safeguarding awareness training and Prevent training (evidence retained on file).

• Hosts and relevant household adults agree to the code of conduct for hosting under-18 students.
• Under-18 students are provided with, and agree to follow, the under-18 student code of conduct.
• Schools/agents and students are informed of supervision arrangements and reporting routes.

All concerns and serious issues must be reported promptly. Do not promise confidentiality to a child in relation to safeguarding concerns.

• If someone is in immediate danger: call 999 (police, fire or ambulance).
• If you need the police but it is not an emergency: call 101.
• For safeguarding/welfare concerns (not immediate danger): contact London Homestays during office hours on 020 8395 0333 and/or email the DSL (details in the At a glance box).

Out-of-hours emergency support: For urgent welfare issues relating to a current placement outside office hours, emergency contact details are provided at booking confirmation and via our office voicemail. We do not publish emergency mobile numbers on the website to reduce misuse and spam.

If you would prefer not to report to London Homestays, you can contact:

• NSPCC Whistleblowing Helpline – 0800 028 0285 (24/7)
• Your local council (children’s services / safeguarding) – https://www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse-to-local-council
• Police – 101 (non-emergency) or 999 (emergency)

For online safety advice, you may also find these resources useful:

• NSPCC guidance – https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
• Childline (support for young people) – https://www.childline.org.uk/
• UK Safer Internet Centre – https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/

When a concern is reported, the DSL (or alternative safeguarding contact) will:

1. Record the concern factually, including dates, times, and what was said/observed.
2. Assess the immediacy and severity of risk.
3. Decide what action is required, which may include contacting the school/agent, parents/guardians, and/or making a referral to local authority children’s services or other safeguarding partners.
4. Where relevant, seek advice from the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) regarding allegations about adults who work with children.
5. Agree next steps and keep appropriate records of actions and outcomes.

If a concern relates to the DSL, or it would be inappropriate to report to the DSL, you should report to the alternative safeguarding contact (Maureen Wong) or use the external reporting routes in Section 5.2.

The main types of abuse are physical, sexual, emotional and neglect. Bullying can also be harmful and must be taken seriously.

• Listen carefully and stay calm. Do not ask leading questions.
• Reassure the child they have done the right thing by telling you.
• Do not promise confidentiality. Explain you must share the concern to keep them safe.
• Record what you were told, using the child’s own words where possible.
• Report it immediately using the routes in Section 5.

Safeguarding records are processed in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR. Records are kept secure, are factual (not opinion-based), and are retained only for as long as necessary for safeguarding and legal purposes.

• All safeguarding disclosures and actions taken must be recorded accurately and date-stamped.
• Where appropriate, records may be shared with safeguarding authorities and/or law enforcement.
• If a personal data breach occurs that is likely to result in a risk to individuals, we will follow applicable reporting requirements and timeframes.

This policy is reviewed at least annually by the Company Directors and sooner if required (for example, following an incident, a change in guidance, or learning from practice). Any identified deficiencies or weaknesses in safeguarding arrangements are remedied without delay.