Become a host family

Host families

Become a Host Family with English Guardian

Welcoming international students into your home can be a rewarding experience, enriching your life and sharing your culture with them during their studies.

Join Us as a Host Family

English Guardian is seeking friendly host families across the UK. We provide full support to host families while students stay with them. Our thorough interview and assessment process ensures you are matched with suitable students and supported at all times.

If any issues arise during the hosting period, we are always available to help resolve them quickly and effectively.

What Host Families Do

Host families provide a service known as “homestay.” This arrangement involves offering an international student a private room in your home for a short period, ranging from one night or a weekend to 28 days.

Homestay is popular with English language and university students who see it as an opportunity to experience British life and form new friendships. At English Guardian, we offer homestay accommodations to students under 18 who live in boarding schools during term time but may need a host family during half term or other holidays.

Requirements for Becoming a Host Family

English Guardian is fully accredited by AEGIS (The Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students), the UK regulator of guardianship agencies. Accredited agencies undergo regular and rigorous inspections.

To become a host family with us, you must:

  • Have a spare room that is clean, private and maintained to a high standard
  • Provide a safe and welcoming environment for young international guests
  • Provide three meals a day
  • Be willing to undergo the safeguarding process, which includes DBS checks for all family members aged 16 and over, and complete safeguarding training

Our matching process considers factors such as young children, pets and lifestyles. Students placed with you are expected to follow reasonable household rules, including cleanliness and curfew times.

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