Are you a friendly, caring person? Do you have a spare room or two?
Our students are international pupils, ranging in age from 8 to 18, who are studying at schools in the UK.
Our students come from many different countries all over the world so if you have children, hosting is a wonderful way to introduce them to other languages and cultures
Hosting is also a great way to generate a part-time, home-based income.
Boarding school pupils who are not returning to their own families for mid-term breaks need a host family to look after them while the school is closed. Many boarding schools have occasional leave weekends (exeats) when UK boarders are allowed to return home, and international boarders stay with their host family. Many international students also stay in the UK over half term and spend these holidays with their host family. Some boarders go home for half term holidays and only need a host family for exeat weekends. Some schools do not have exeat weekends, therefore students only stay with their host family over half term holidays.
Children on our Overseas Day Pupil Scheme need host families for one term or the whole academic year while they attend local schools as day pupils.
It can be very interesting and rewarding to be the UK family and ‘home-from-home’ for young people who are thousands of miles away from their own family.
We became a host family in 2016. and so far 3 children have stayed with my family. Now I have a 15 year old child from Hong Kong who regularly comes and stays with us. My family has got along well with all the children. I am also very pleased to know Zakiyah and work with her. She is very kind and thoughtful. I am very happy to continue working with Zakiyah and provide help for more children.
Rose
Host mother
Our students really appreciate a caring host family where they feel comfortable and secure.
When I first arrived at my host family’s home I was relatively nervous because it’s a new environment for me but they did not pressure me nor made me feel uncomfortable. They are very friendly and make me feel that I am welcomed very soon after I arrived. Besides as I have special dietary needs I couldn’t have certain food but they happily catered a great variety of food that I could eat. My host family also kindly helped me when I asked if my friend could stay with me when my friend had trouble finding places to stay. Overall I am very grateful and happy that I could have my host family as they have given me the feeling of being loved.
Bosco
Guardianship student
The parents of our guardianship students understand the importance of the role our host families play in providing home comfort and security during the periods when their child is not at boarding school, and they are invariably very grateful.
Dear Zakiyah,
Thank you for all your arrangements for Chester in the school half-term break, including host family, transportation. And any matter that when we made the inquiry that you could respond promptly and make arrangements so that we do not have to worry about it.
Host families also provided comfortable and warm accommodation, while also offering authentic meals. Hope you can thank Alison and Amanda on our behalf.Here again, thank you for your dedicated services.
Best wishes
Mon Chow
Homestay can be an extremely rewarding experience for both student and family members, and often leads to lifelong friendships.
Could you give a warm welcome to an international student, either for occasional weekends and/or half term holidays or for an academic year?
If so, you can register online here.
We ask you to look after your international student as a member of the family, and we ask your student to behave as a member of the family, which includes respecting household rules.
What you will need to provide:
- A separate bedroom containing a standard bed (not convertible or inflatable) and storage space suitable for clothes (hanging space and drawer space) and personal belongings
- Reasonable access to bathroom facilities
- A place to study – either a desk with desk lamp in the bedroom or a quiet space somewhere else in the house with adequate lighting for study.
- Meals
- Assistance with laundry if necessary
- Wi-Fi internet access
Remuneration
The current rate of payment for boarding school pupils is £45 or £50 per student per night depending on their age. Thus, for a one week half term holiday the payment for hosting is currently £405 – £450 per student. Families can host up to three students at a time, space permitting.
The rate for long-stay students on the Overseas Day Pupil Scheme varies according to location.
Mileage is reimbursed at a rate of £0.45 per mile. If you collect the child from school in your car you can claim this rate for mileage.
If you have incurred extra expenses during excursions, for example bought a cinema ticket or rail ticket for your student, then these can be claimed back as expenses.
Support
Support is available 24/7
We value all our host families very highly and our aim is to establish good communication and a good long-term relationship with all of our families.
Guardianship responsibility for the student remains with us, and you can contact us at any time if you have any queries or issues.
We do our best to match host families and students as closely as possible, so we are always looking for additional host families. Please click here to register.
If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to call on 0207 993 6212, message on WhatsApp 07961 107 283 or email zakiyah@trustedguardianship.co.uk.