This page is written primarily for homestay hosts, but it is relevant to other adults who work with us. It may also be of interest to students and their parents. It explores the issue of safeguarding and builds on our safeguarding policy. We recognise that this subject can be complex and if you have any questions please get in touch.

What is Safeguarding

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Safeguarding is any action that promotes the welfare of others and protects them from harm. Usually this refers to those under the age of 18, but we also have a responsibility to young adults and to each other.

Any adult who takes responsibly for a young person has what is called a duty of care. This simply means that they should act reasonably to protect them from harm.

Anyone acting reasonably and in good faith is protected by the UK law and homestay hosts should not be unduly worried about doing what they think is best to care for students.Although they have a duty of care, homestay hosts do not usually have the formal right to act in the place of a parent (in loco parentis). This means they should not sign forms that require a parents explicit consent. For example, giving consent for students t go on trips or play certain sports. This is something the student should arrange with their parents directly or with us.

Some Do-s and Don’ts

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In order to care for young people it is important for all adults to understand their role and make sure they do not put themselves in at risk. The following advice offers some simple recommendations.

Things you should do

  • Do treat everyone with dignity and respect.
  • Do respect a young person’s right to personal privacy.
  • Do allow young people to talk about any concerns they may have.
  • Do encourage others to challenge attitudes or behaviours they do not like.
  • Do avoid being drawn into attention-seeking behaviour, e.g. tantrums and crushes.
  • Do make everyone in your household aware of our safeguarding arrangements.
  • Do remember someone else might misinterpret your actions, even if you mean well.

Things you should not do

  • Do not trivialise abuse or any concerns raised.
  • Do not take part in physical contact games with young people.
  • Do not make suggestive remarks or threats to a young person, even in fun.
  • Do not use inappropriate language when writing, phoning, emailing or using the internet, including social media.
  • Do not let allegations, suspicions, or concerns about abuse go unreported.
  • Do not rely on your good name to protect you.

Managing Disclosures

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It is rare, but possible that a student may come to you and tell you something that is of a safeguarding nature. This is called a disclosure. If you think this is about to happen to you here is what you should do.

  1. Never promise that the young person can talk to you confidentially. Explain that you may need to pass the information on to someone else.
  2. Take them seriously and reassure them you will do what you can to help.
  3. Do not promise that you can solve the issue.
  4. Ask open questions to get a better idea of the concern; who, what, where, when, how etc.
  5. Ask them to establish the facts as they see them.
  6. Make clear notes, keep them safe and secure, you may need to refer to them afterwards.
  7. Explain that you are not an expert and do not have all the answers.


Who Should you Tell

Normally, we recommend that you pass the information to us. This should be done using our emergency contact number which is specific to each project and location. It will be given to you during the registration process.

You may need to pass the information on to your local safeguarding authority which can be found here. They can also be contacted via your local authority.

If you believe there is an immediate harm to the young person, you should treat the incident as an emergency and call 999.

Criminal Record Checks

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Criminal record checking, or DBS checking in England and Wales, is an important part of our approach to safeguarding the wellbeing of the young people in our care.

DBS or the Disclosure and Barring Service is the organisation responsible for conducting criminal record checks in England and Wales. It was formally the CRB. Our approach to DBS checking is outlined in detail in our step by step guide to DBS.

We ask that you read this in advance of your home visit and gather together any ID documents needed from people requiring checks. We will gather all the other information we need during the visit itself.

Useful Links

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We have included links below that we think will be of interest. This includes contact details for local safeguarding boards who are usually the local authority’s contact point for disclosures.

Frequently Asked Questions

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We have included answers to two important questions below. These scenarios are extremely rare, but we want to be clear about what will happen in each case.

What if an allegation is made about me?

Thankfully allegations are very rare. However, if an allegation is made against a host we are duty-bound to treat it seriously and to eliminate any immediate risk. Therefore, we will act to remove the young person from your household straightaway. This does not mean we believe you are guilty of the allegation, nor that the student or students will be removed permanently. Thereafter things will be managed on a case by case basis and throughout the process we will be as open and clear as we are permitted to be.

What if I feel threatened by my student?

Again, this is extremely rare. Nevertheless, If you feel that your student is a threat to you or members of your household or others please tell us immediately. We will deal with this type of disclosure every bit as seriously as we would disclosures by students. As above and subject to your wishes, we would look to move the student immediately.