{"id":15449,"date":"2017-01-15T15:48:23","date_gmt":"2017-01-15T12:48:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ukstudycentre.com\/?page_id=15449"},"modified":"2024-07-19T23:19:23","modified_gmt":"2024-07-19T20:19:23","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/englishguardian.com\/en\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row top_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; bg_position=&#8221;left top&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243;]<h3 class=\"headline font-special fontsize-l fontweight-700 lh-16 align-center transform-uppercase \" style=\"margin: 0 0 20px 0;\">FAQ<\/h3><div class=\"headline font-inherit fontsize-m fontweight-inherit lh-inherit align-center transform-inherit \" style=\"margin: 0; color: #999999;\">Below are the questions most frequently asked by students and parents about guardianship. To navigate through the questions, please select the relevant tab. If you cannot find an answer to your question, please send it to info@englishguardian.com and we will respond as soon as possible.<\/div><div class=\"divider divider1\" style='margin:60px 0 60px 0 !important;'><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243;][vc_tta_tour][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Choosing a guardian&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1486216767245-0de78597-dbde&#8221;]<div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title active\">Why do I need a guardian?<\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p>Most UK boarding schools require students with families overseas to have an officially appointed guardian resident in the UK. Having a guardian allows both the child&#8217;s parents and school to rest easy knowing that there is someone available to support the child if required. We offer a range of guardianship packages to cater to various requirements and budgets. This helps manage the additional expense of having a guardian alongside school fees.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title \">Is there a way to avoid having a guardian?<\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p>Aside from being required by most schools, having a guardian is an essential precaution for overseas students, providing them with security and support at times of emergency and stress. Guardianship isn&#8217;t only for emergencies; having a helping hand nearby can help your child to achieve more and get the most out of their experience at school in the UK.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title \">Can my friend or a family member be a guardian?<\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p>Your adult friend or a family member can be a guardian if they are UK residents with ILR or citizenship status, do not live in student or shared accommodation, and are over 25 years old. However, most UK boarding schools do not recommend this approach. While a friend or relative will certainly care deeply for your child, they may not always have sufficient knowledge of the British educational system to know how the schools work and how best to communicate with them. Schools normally recommend choosing an AEGIS-accredited company to act as a guardian for your child.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title \">Who will be my child\u2019s guardian?<\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p>As soon as you register your child with us, you will be allocated an experienced staff member to be your child\u2019s guardian, who will be your main contact for any questions related to your child. You will be provided with your guardian\u2019s full details including their home address and a mobile number. If at any point you feel that this person does not meet your requirements, you can contact the company manager to discuss the situation and arrange another guardian if needed. This is one of the significant advantages of working with a guardianship company rather than a private guardian.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title \">What are the differences between the guardianship packages you offer? How do I know what services I need before my child starts school?<\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p>\n<p>Our packages are designed to meet all of your child\u2019s needs, no matter how basic or complex they are. We also offer custom packages specifically designed for your family. Our packages include combinations of services from the four main areas of support we provide:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Emergency Support (available 24\/7 on all our packages)<\/li>\n<li>Pastoral Care<\/li>\n<li>Academic Support<\/li>\n<li>Homestay Accommodation and Transport<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Our main packages are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>School Care Premium Guardianship<\/li>\n<li>School Care Guardianship<\/li>\n<li>School Care Limited Guardianship<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Please visit <a href=\"https:\/\/englishguardian.com\/en\/guardianhsip\/nashi-pakety\/\">this page to see<\/a> which package is right for you or contact us directly to discuss your requirements.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: revert; color: initial; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;\"><\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title \">Will I be able to book additional services that are not part of my package?<\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p>Yes, you will be able to book additional services if needed, such as additional school visits, holiday accommodation, tuition services, help with choosing your next school or university, visa support, and transport and accommodation arrangements for yourself when visiting your child. Your guardian will help you to arrange anything you might need.<\/p><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Arrival and settling in&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1486216929825-31523260-78b3&#8243;]<div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title active\">Will guardian meet my child at the airport?<\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p>We will always make sure that arrival arrangements are in place and your child is met by either one of our representatives, drivers, or a school staff member. You will know exactly who is meeting your child, and where they will be waiting for them. Your guardian will make sure that your child is safely taken to the school, and any help that is required on the first day is provided.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title \">How will guardian help my child to settle?<\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p>We know that the first day at school is often very emotional and significant for both children and parents. The support given on that first day can have a substantial impact on a child&#8217;s well-being. We always make sure children are met at the airport, safely taken to the school, shown around, and provided with help in settling into their school routine and being introduced to their new friends. School house staff will be on hand to provide help and support, but since they have hundreds of other new children to deal with, we make sure that any questions are answered in advance. Over the course of the first week, we stay in contact with the school daily to ensure that everything is going well and that the child is settling in without difficulty.<\/p><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;At school&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1486216928582-d26ca75b-9e55&#8243;]<div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title active\">What will the guardian be doing for my child while they are at school?<\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p>With many years of experience working with UK schools and universities, English Guardian is perfectly placed to ensure your child\u2019s needs are fully supported and their progress closely monitored. Your child\u2019s guardian will be in touch with the school regularly to make sure that any questions your child may have are answered and that the school is happy with the progress he or she is making. Your guardian will provide academic and pastoral support, answer school questions, fill in school forms, organize travel arrangements, and attend to anything else that may be required.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title \">How often will I hear back from the guardian and how will they contact me?<\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p>Your guardian will be in touch regularly to discuss holiday and weekend arrangements, report on academic progress, and get your permission for activities organised by the school. Your guardian will also be in touch in case of emergencies, so it is essential that they have your correct email address and a mobile phone number, including temporary contacts, in case you are away. It is your responsibility to provide us with correct contact details at all times.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title \">Will guardian help my child with the homework, exam preparation and other academic related issues? <\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p>The academic aspect of guardianship offers regular contact between the guardian, student, parents, and school tutor, providing academic updates and relaying any concerns that your child&#8217;s teachers might have back to you. Your guardian will also ensure that the student is putting enough effort into classwork and delivering homework on time and according to requirements. They will also ensure that the student is provided with additional subject help, support with homework, revision, and exam preparation. Depending on the package you choose, we can also attend parent evenings, prepare detailed reports for you, and provide regular (normally every half-term) school reports. Additional services include organising additional tuition with highly experienced tutors, either by Skype or face-to-face, and advice on further school\/university choices, as well as support in preparing university applications.<\/p><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Travel&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1496161772826-898ba67a-b644&#8243;]<div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title \">Who will be driving my child when they need to go to the airport and other places outside school?<\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p>All of your child\u2019s transport (airport transfers, transport to the host family, school pick-ups, etc.) will be organized in advance. We always aim to provide the most cost-effective travel solution using all the options available, including school transport (if available) and our own network of drivers. Our drivers are experienced, reliable, and DBS-checked to ensure your child\u2019s safety. Different categories of vehicles are available on request, including VIP transport. The guardian will be available for parents and the student while the student is with the driver.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title \"> How do you organise travel for unaccompanied minors?<\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p>We can organize airport transfers for unaccompanied minors in accordance with airline requirements. The driver\u2019s details (including ID number) will be provided in advance for pick-ups. The driver will help the child with check-in and will stay at the airport until the flight departs.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title \">Will you help if the flight is delayed, or if my child misses it?<\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p>With many years of experience arranging travel for our students, we are familiar with flight delays, cancellations, and missed flights. We will ensure that the situation is resolved in the most efficient way. Homestay accommodation for the child, as well as flight transfers, will be provided if necessary.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title \">Will you arrange transport for me if I come to visit my child?<\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p>We are happy to help with your travel arrangements when you come to the UK to visit your child. This includes providing drivers, translators, and accommodation as well as arranging your visit to the school at the most suitable time and informing the school of these arrangements.<\/p><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Host families&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1496161996023-3af556eb-fc00&#8243;]<div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title \">Why does my child need to stay with a host family?<\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Sometimes boarding students need to stay overnight outside school. Common reasons for this are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The school boarding houses are closed for the weekend (some schools close their boarding houses up to six weekends a year)<\/li>\n<li>School holidays are either too short for the student to go home, or their parents are not available to look after them<\/li>\n<li>The student needs to stay in the UK to study for exams<\/li>\n<li>The student is unwell and it is not safe for them to stay in school<\/li>\n<li>The student is suspended or expelled due to breaking school rules<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In some cases, it may also be beneficial for the student to stay outside school for a short period for psychological reasons and when a home environment is necessary<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title \">How do I know that my child is safe?<\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p> We thoroughly check all the references and documents provided by prospective host families, and all adult family members undergo a DBS check. We make sure that all host family members are aware of our Child Protection Policy and offer ongoing support 24\/7 in case of any concerns. English Guardian is fully accredited by AEGIS (The Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students), which means that our services have been inspected by the regulator and we can guarantee high standards of care. Your child is safe with us! <\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title \">How far is the host family from the school?<\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p>Over the years, we have built a network of reliable host families who work with us regularly. We select a family for your child based on a wide range of factors and requirements, and aim to place your child no further than an hour&#8217;s drive away from where they need to be (school, airport, etc.), unless you have a specific request, such as to host your child with a family that speaks your native language.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title \">Does host family speak my language?<\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p>We have a wide network of host families, and many of them speak languages other than English. All of them, however, do speak English, and most use English as their first language at home.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title \">What if my child doesn\u2019t like the host family they are staying with?<\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p>We carefully select a family for your child based on your requirements, family location, your child&#8217;s profile, and the hosts\u2019 personalities. In most cases, our students are very happy with the families they live with, provide positive feedback, and return to the families on an ongoing basis. However, your guardian is available at all times during your child&#8217;s stay should you be unhappy with anything and wish to discuss arrangements or request another family.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title \">Will my child be comfortable at the host family&#039;s home?<\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p>All of our host families provide a comfortable and welcoming home for international students. We regularly visit and re-check families to make sure that the conditions at home are safe and comfortable. However, if there are any concerns, your guardian will be available for you at any time while your child is staying with the host family.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title \">Will the family give my child enough food?<\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p>Our standard host family arrangements include three nutritious meals a day. When preparing food, our hosts consider your child\u2019s preferences, likes, dislikes, allergies, and religious obligations. Some children like snacking between meals, and if this is something you approve of, the host family will accompany the student to buy snacks from local shops.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title \">What will my child do while staying with their host family? <\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p>As a standard arrangement, our host families provide a place to stay and meals, not entertainment. However, it is very common that families are happy for their guests to join them in going into town, to the park, walking dogs, shopping, etc. They see students as part of their family and so guests are welcome to play games, watch TV, cook together, and receive help with their homework. If you require additional entertainment for your child, such as trips to London, Oxford, Cambridge, Legoland, Chessington World of Adventures, Windsor, and other places of interest, please inform your guardian in advance and they will organise it as an additional service.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title \">How can I contact the host family if I have questions?<\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p>The guardian will be available for parents and the student while the student is with the host family for any questions related to the stay.<\/p><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Emergencies&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1496162336687-c6c44662-850c&#8221;]<div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title \">What support do you provide if my child breaks school rules and is suspended or expelled?<\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p>Emergency host accommodation will be arranged if your child needs to leave the school for a short or longer period. We will work closely with the school, the student, and yourself to help solve the conflict.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title \">How do I contact my guardian in case of emergency?<\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p>As soon as you register your child with English Guardian, you will be given emergency mobile numbers that you are able to use both inside and outside of working hours.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title \">What support do you provide in case of medical emergency?<\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p>We understand that medical emergencies can be very stressful for both your child and you. Likewise, we know how cultural differences can affect the way your child is used to receiving medical treatment. We work closely with the school boarding house and medical center staff to ensure that your child receives the best care, and we require the medical staff to provide you with reports detailing what treatment your child has received. Your child will be registered with the National Health Service (NHS) and will be able to access all medical services available for UK residents. However, private medical support can also be arranged on request.<\/p><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Complaints and concerns&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1496162439749-80fcf7fc-2150&#8243;]<div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title \">What do I do if I am concerned about my child\u2019s safety?<\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p>The UK Department of Education and Social Services advises private schools to recommend AEGIS-accredited organizations to overseas families to ensure the security and safety of their children. English Guardian is proud to be fully accredited by AEGIS (The Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students), which means that our services have been inspected by the regulator and we can guarantee high standards of care. We have a rigorous Child Protection policy in place and offer training and support to our staff members and host families. Please contact our DSL if you have any concerns.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle\"><div class=\"toggle-title \">What do I do if I am not happy with my guardianship services?<\/div><div class=\"toggle-inner\"><p>We are proud to have hundreds of families using our guardianship services and others who, after their children have left school, remain our close friends, inviting us to their weddings and other significant family events. However, if at some point you feel that your guardian does not meet your requirements, you can contact the company manager to discuss the situation and appoint another guardian if required.<\/p><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tour][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row top_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;0&#8243; bg_position=&#8221;left top&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243;][vc_tta_tour][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Choosing a guardian&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1486216767245-0de78597-dbde&#8221;][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Arrival and settling in&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1486216929825-31523260-78b3&#8243;][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;At school&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1486216928582-d26ca75b-9e55&#8243;][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Travel&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1496161772826-898ba67a-b644&#8243;][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Host families&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1496161996023-3af556eb-fc00&#8243;][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Emergencies&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1496162336687-c6c44662-850c&#8221;][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Complaints and concerns&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1496162439749-80fcf7fc-2150&#8243;][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tour][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-15449","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/englishguardian.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15449","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/englishguardian.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/englishguardian.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/englishguardian.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/englishguardian.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15449"}],"version-history":[{"count":80,"href":"https:\/\/englishguardian.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15449\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16879,"href":"https:\/\/englishguardian.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15449\/revisions\/16879"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/englishguardian.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15449"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}