Safety & Safeguarding
Vetted hosts, clear safeguarding policies, and out-of-hours support — for every student, intern, and trainee staying with us.
- Officially registered with the British Council
- DBS checks for under-18 placements
- Out-of-hours emergency support
Under-18 safeguarding
Under-18 placements are for students aged 16–17 only. We do not place under-16s individually. Our safeguarding measures include:
- Hosts accommodating under-18s have DBS checks
- Adults in the home are subject to appropriate criminal record checks for under-18 placements
- Mandatory safeguarding training for host families
- Clear codes of conduct for students and hosts
- Designated Safeguarding Lead on staff
All policies are regularly reviewed and updated in line with current UK guidance.
Officially registered with the British Council
London Homestays meets the standard for registration with the British Council as a provider of homestay accommodation for adults and under 18s for accredited providers in London.
Find the right information
Students & parents
Understand how we keep you safe, what to expect from your host family, and how to contact us if you have concerns.
Host families
Learn about your responsibilities when hosting young people, including DBS requirements and our code of conduct.
Schools & agents
Access our policies and documentation to support your due diligence and compliance requirements.
What we do in practice
London Homestays meets the standard for registration with the British Council as a provider of homestay accommodation for adults and under 18s for accredited providers in London.
Need to report a concern?
- Immediate danger: If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
- Safeguarding concern (not immediate danger): Please contact us using our Contact page.
- Out-of-hours emergency (current placements): If the office is closed and it is a genuine emergency relating to a current placement, emergency contact details are provided at booking confirmation and via our office voicemail.
For under-18 safeguarding concerns, please also refer to our Child Protection Policy for the reporting route.
Safety FAQs
What checks do you carry out on hosts and host families?
DBS checks for the main host for under-18 placements. Other adults normally resident in the home are also subject to criminal record checks. We conduct home visits, verify references, and require hosts to complete safeguarding training.
How do I report a concern about a student's safety?
For immediate danger or emergency, call 999. For concerns about safety or wellbeing (not immediate danger), please contact us via our Contact page during office hours. For urgent out-of-hours matters (current stays only), emergency contact details are provided at booking confirmation and via our office voicemail. We have a Designated Safeguarding Lead who handles all concerns. All reports are taken seriously and dealt with promptly and confidentially.
What training do host families receive?
Hosts complete mandatory safeguarding training covering child protection, recognising signs of abuse or neglect, appropriate boundaries, and how to report concerns. Training is refreshed regularly to ensure hosts remain up to date with best practice.
Are you registered with any accreditation bodies?
OFFICIALLY REGISTERED WITH THE BRITISH COUNCIL
London Homestays meets the standard for registration with the British Council as a provider of homestay accommodation for adults and under 18s for accredited providers in London.
What happens if there's an emergency out of hours?
For life-threatening emergencies, always call 999 first. For urgent out-of-hours matters (current stays only), emergency contact details are provided at booking confirmation and via our office voicemail. Contact us so we can provide additional support.
How do you protect personal data?
We comply with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Personal information is stored securely and only shared when necessary for the placement or when required by law. Read our full Data Protection Notice for details.
Do you place under-16 students?
Not for individual homestay placements. Under-18 placements are for ages 16–17 only. For under-16 group requests, we work with a partner organisation. That partner has its own safety and child protection policies (available via them on request).
What are the curfew arrangements for 16–17 homestay placements?
Curfew times are subject to host and parental approval, and students aged 16–17 must follow the arrangements confirmed for their placement. 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.
For related expectations, see the Code of conduct for students under 18.
