Become a host family

Host families

Host families can enrich their own lives and homes by welcoming international students, looking after them and sharing their culture with them during their studies.

English Guardian is looking for friendly host families to work with throughout the UK.

We offer host families full support while a student stays with them. Through our interview and assessment process we ensure that you are only matched with appropriate students.

Should any issues arise during the hosting period, we will always be on hand to help resolve them quickly and effectively.

The service a host family provides

Host families provide a service that is sometimes referred to as “homestay”. Both homestay and host family services are a living arrangement where families offer an international student a private room in their home for a short period of time. This could be as short as one night or a weekend to three months or sometimes longer.

Host family accommodation is very popular with English language and university students, who see staying with a host family as an opportunity to experience British life and form new friendships with hosts and other guests.

At English Guardian we offer host family accommodation to both students who are over 18 years old and younger learners from outside of the UK who live in boarding school accommodation during term time but may additionally need to stay with a host family during half term or other holidays.

Requirements for becoming a host family

We are fully accredited by AEGIS (The Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students). AEGIS is the regulator of guardianship agencies in the UK, and accredited agencies are regularly and rigorously inspected.

The host families we work with must agree to be inspected and checked. This includes undergoing a Disclosure and Barring Service check for any police and criminal records.

You can become a host family and work with an accredited guardianship organisation like English Guardian if:

  • You have a spare room that is clean, private and maintained to a high standard.
    • You and your family can provide a safe and welcoming environment for young international guests.
    • You are able host young people for long or short term stays.

When matching students with host families we take into account factors such as young children, pets and lifestyles. The students we place with you will be expected to abide by reasonable household rules, including cleanliness and curfew times.

Whether you are interested in hosting for a few days or a year, hosting one student or more, contact us to discuss our host family and guardianship services.