As the popularity of the British education among overseas students is growing, we would like to share with you the details of what guardianship is all about and why it is important. Often parents, while planning to send their children to study in the UK, are not aware of this aspect.
Of course, the main decision to be made is where to study. Studying abroad is a life-changing experience, and it is vital that this experience is positive and trouble-free. It is important to remember, however, that besides high quality education, the child and the parents need to have the right support system in place.
That is why, and in order to comply with the Children’s Act 1989, every international student under the age of 18, arriving to the UK without parents to study for more than 7 weeks, has to have an official Guardian. According to the Act, the Guardian should be a UK citizen over 25 years old, who has successfully passed all the necessary checks. This person must be available at all times to act on behalf of parents and respond to the needs of both the child/student and the requirements of the school. Guardians act as a link between parents and the child’s school. Guardians offer their help from the first day of the student’s stay in the UK and throughout their whole study period. This gives the parents the peace of mind and security in the knowledge that there is someone there to help out.
The standard Guardianship package includes the following:
- Full legal responsibility on behalf of the parents (in loco parentis) during the child`s stay in the country. The guardian is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
- Host family selection, supervision during exeat weekends, organisation of trips and outings to local attractions during half-terms.
- The guardian visits the pupil at school, attends parents’ evenings and provides parents with the reports of such visits. The guardian stays in touch with the school, parents and the host family.
Best Start Education can offer the extended range of services or, if you are on a tight budget, individual programme, which would include the services essential for you.