More about being a Host Family

London International Agency oversees the pastoral care of international students who are studying at UK boarding schools whilst their parents are still living in their home country. Part of our role is to find host families for them for short holidays.

Our Host Family Network

We rely on our network of excellent host families to help us to care for our students during the times of year when they have to leave school. This is usually some weekends and half term holidays.

Hosting an international boarding student during their short holidays can be very rewarding, fun and educational for your own children and provides a valuable source of extra income for your family.

Our Safer Recruitment Policy and Process

  • Applicants must provide original identification documents to prove who they are and permission to work in the UK documents where appropriate
  • Enhanced DBS checks are required for resident of the home that are 16 years and over. London International Agency takes responsiblity for these.
  • Applicants must be suitable to work with children and must not be disqualified from working with children, or subject to any sanctions imposed by a regulatory body and have no convictions, cautions or bind overs.
  • London International Agency will obtain references from nominated referees and does not accept open references or testimonials or ‘To whom it may concern’ references
  • We conduct an initial house inspection to confirm an applicant’s suitability for the role and suitability to work with children.
  • As collection and drop off by the family to and from school is part of the role, we also inspect the car that will be used.
  • Photographs are taken for our online profiles.
  • Revisits – to ensure that the facilities being offered are of the same standards as per the initial inspection report, we conduct an annual inspection to ensure that there are no new circumstances in the house that need to be reviewed (for example members of the family who have turned 16 years old and need a DBS check, new pets or new rooms which have been built), and that the home remains suitable for hosting London International Agency students
  • Spot Checks – London International Agency conducts random spot checks on our host families.
  • Care Plans – London International Agency conducts a Care Plan welfare feedback report with students and host families when a stay has been completed.

We are always looking to expand our host family network as our student numbers increase and are currently looking for host families in the following areas:

Host Family Locations in the UK:

London and surrounding counties. Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Dorset, Surrey, Sussex, Kent.