Hosting an international student can be a rewarding experience. It provides an opportunity to:

receive homestay payments for approved placements.
welcome students from different cultures and backgrounds;
support young people studying in the UK;
share British culture and family life;
build long-term international friendships;

UK Speeder Consulting Ltd may arrange:

· long-term academic year placements;
· short-term school or college stays;
· summer or winter programme accommodation;
· guardianship-related accommodation;
· emergency or temporary accommodation where appropriate.

Placement durations may vary depending on the student’s educational programme and family requirements.

Host families should be able to provide:

· a safe, clean and comfortable home environment;
· an appropriately furnished bedroom;
· suitable study space;
· heating, lighting and internet access;
· meals as agreed within the placement arrangement;
· reasonable supervision and support;
· clear household rules and expectations;
· respectful and inclusive treatment of students.

Students should be treated as temporary members of the household while also being given appropriate privacy and independence.

1. Initial Application

Prospective host families should complete our Host Family Application Form providing information about:

· household members;
· accommodation details;
· location and transport links;
· hosting availability;
· pets;
· lifestyle and preferences.

Applications will be reviewed by UK Speeder Consulting Ltd before progressing further.

2. Home Visit

Suitable applicants will normally be invited to participate in an in-person home inspection visit.

Please note that UK Speeder Consulting Ltd will not place any student with a host family before an in-person home visit inspection has been completed and the accommodation has been assessed as suitable.

During the visit, we may:
· inspect the student bedroom and communal areas;
· discuss safeguarding and welfare expectations;
· assess the overall suitability of the accommodation;
· review transport arrangements and local accessibility;
· discuss household rules and hosting expectations;
· answer any questions regarding hosting responsibilities.

Recommendations may also be provided regarding safety arrangements, furnishings or accommodation standards where appropriate.

If your application is successful, all adult members of the household aged 18 or over will normally be required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

A DBS check is an important safeguarding requirement for individuals who host or work with children and young people, whether on a paid or voluntary basis.

UK Speeder Consulting Ltd may assist host families with the DBS application process.

The current DBS application fee and administration charge is typically approximately £70 per person (subject to change). This fee must normally be paid by the host family in advance unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Please note that DBS checks may also be required for:
All household members aged 18 or over;

Any additional DBS-related costs arising during the hosting period may be the responsibility of the host family unless otherwise agreed.

Where applicable, UK Speeder Consulting Ltd may reimburse DBS-related costs following a successful hosting period and continued compliance with safeguarding requirements. Any reimbursement arrangements will be confirmed separately in writing.

Once issued, host families may be asked to provide the original DBS certificate for verification purposes. We will record the certificate number and issue date and return the document promptly. Hosts are advised to retain copies of all DBS certificates and keep the originals in a safe place.

Host families will normally be required to provide two references.

References should preferably be from individuals who have known the applicant for a reasonable period of time and who can comment on their suitability to host young people and international students.

Family members will generally not be accepted as referees.

Host families may be required to provide relevant safety documentation where applicable, including:

· Gas Safety Certificate;
· Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR);
· smoke alarm and fire safety arrange

As a homestay host, you may be required to complete training relating to child welfare, safeguarding and student safety.

Safeguarding training forms an important part of the host family approval process. Training materials and course links may be provided following the initial home visit inspection.

Where appropriate, hosts may also be asked to complete additional safeguarding or Prevent awareness training during the hosting period.

Hosts are expected to remain aware of their safeguarding responsibilities and comply with the policies and procedures of UK Speeder Consulting Ltd.

Approved host families will be required to sign a Host Family Agreement before placements are confirmed.

The agreement may include provisions relating to:
· accommodation standards;
· safeguarding responsibilities;
· supervision expectations;
· curfews and house rules;
· meals and dietary arrangements;
· payments and cancellation terms;
· confidentiality and data protection;
· emergency procedures.

Approved hosts may be invited to complete a Host Family Profile to help students and parents understand the household before placement.

This may include information regarding:
· family members;
· hobbies and interests;
· pets;
· local area information;
· transport links;
· photographs of the accommodation;
· house rules and lifestyle.

If you are interested in becoming a host family with UK Speeder Consulting Ltd, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Please follow the link below to complete the Host Family Application Form.
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/jhyrhKSdXF

Once we have received your application, a member of our team will review your information and contact you shortly regarding the next stage of the application process.