Host families are at the heart of successful Guardianship. They are the ‘home away from home’ for your child and will play an important part in his or her time in the UK.
We will match your child with a host family close to school and, if your child is happy there, this family will essentially become the ‘English Mum and Dad’ whilst your child is in the UK. Your son or daughter will stay with their host family during exeat weekends and holiday periods and will be welcomed into the family whole-heartedly. Students tell us how much they enjoy the experience of being part of a British family and many maintain friendships with their host families long after they have left school.
Your child will have a room of his or her own at the host family’s house, with a desk for study, and will share three meals a day with the family. We meet all our host families personally to ensure that they meet the very highest standards, not just of accommodation and meals, but also of care and support.
Many of our families have worked in British boarding schools and wish to stay connected to that world, others seek a cultural experience for their own children but all share our values and a common attitude of warmth and kindness.
What makes our host families special?
The Pippa’s difference lies in the care we take in selecting families. We meet all our host families personally in their home, and our primary consideration is, “Would I be happy leaving my children here?” If the answer is yes, we move on to our stringent process of security checks and reference taking which includes police and safeguarding clearance. Your child’s safety is of paramount importance, so our vetting procedure is exceptionally thorough.
As importantly though, we seek families who share our values, who believe in looking after students as they would their own children. Our host families offer much more than safety, accommodation and meals; they play a vital role in your child’s physical and emotional welfare.
Some bake birthday cakes and deliver them to school; some go to watch important milestones such as concert performances or being awarded a prize; others notice that their student is struggling with television or cinema screens and flag it up so that we can arrange an eye test. Together these little things make a big difference to your child’s experience; a happy and supported child will be much more likely to achieve his or her potential.
Since host families are critical to your child’s experience in the UK, we do our best to look after them. We want Pippa’s families to enjoy the experience as much as the students do. Some families have been with us since the very start – they have become our family now too.
What makes our host families special?
The Pippa’s difference lies in the care we take in selecting families. We meet all our host families personally in their home, and our primary consideration is, “Would I be happy leaving my children here?” If the answer is yes, we move on to our stringent process of security checks and reference taking which includes police and safeguarding clearance. Your child’s safety is of paramount importance, so our vetting procedure is exceptionally thorough.
As importantly though, we seek families who share our values, who believe in looking after students as they would their own children. Our host families offer much more than safety, accommodation and meals; they play a vital role in your child’s physical and emotional welfare.
Some bake birthday cakes and deliver them to school; some go to watch important milestones such as concert performances or being awarded a prize; others notice that their student is struggling with television or cinema screens and flag it up so that we can arrange an eye test. Together these little things make a big difference to your child’s experience; a happy and supported child will be much more likely to achieve his or her potential.
Since host families are critical to your child’s experience in the UK, we do our best to look after them. We want Pippa’s families to enjoy the experience as much as the students do. Some families have been with us since the very start – they have become our family now too.
How we select host families
Your child’s relationship with a host family is crucial. In order to thrive, your son or daughter must feel comfortable and relaxed in the host family. Which is why we take great care in matching your child to the family. Host families will want to help your child engage in British culture, and this works so much better if interests are aligned.
If your child is musical, we will try to find a musical family who will enjoy taking him or her to concerts, as well as to the cinema or shopping. If your daughter is interested in history we’ll do our best to match her with a family that like visiting places of historic interest. If your son loves sport or cooking, we’ll look for a host family with a son of the same age that shares those hobbies.
Initial phone screening for suitability of the host family and understanding of location and hosting preference.
Interview with the relevant Area Manager and full and detailed inspection of the host family’s house and surrounding area in accordance with AEGIS guidelines.
Discussion with the Area Manager of expectations and commitments for the host family.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check of all members of the household aged 16 years and over.
Two reference checks with long standing colleagues and friends.
All relevant insurance policies for cars and homes checked and verified.
Check of gas boiler safety certificate, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.
Host families are re-inspected at regular intervals.
Host families are also asked to provide suitable photographs and biographical information for us to create a Host Family Profile, which can then be sent to the relevant pupils, parents, agents and schools