Guardianship:

In recent years schools have become increasingly aware of the need for pupils whose parents are abroad to have a guardian responsible for them and act "in loco parentis". It is not just a matter of providing a home for half terms and exeats, or doing the airport run at the beginning and end of term. Illness sometimes causes children to be sent home in term time. The emotional state of a child who is separated from his parents by continents needs the support of a loving couple who can stand in for the parents, visit the school regularly, discuss progress with teachers, give support from the sidelines at a school match or from the audience at a school play or concert. Beyond all else, the couple must care for the child, and show the child that they really do care. Most schools insist that parents nominate a "guardian". Some overseas parents have friends or relatives in the UK who are happy to undertake this responsibility, others have no-one to help them.

Overseas parents are naturally anxious over the welfare of their children when they are many thousands of miles away from home. For this reason some consultants also run a guardianship service which should cover every possible aspect of an overseas student's needs.

Added to these two aspects of guardianship, The Childrens Act became law in 1989 which has tightened the regulations concerning children who are at boarding school in UK. Social Services Departments are responsible for double checking the welfare of boarders whose parents live overseas, when children are out of school at weekends, half-terms and staying with guardian families, who must be registered and are open to inspection.

Apart from the work involved in having an extra "member of the family" to care for, and their responsibilities at the school, emergencies occur. They are also asked to write and report to parents and in fact to treat children in every way like their own. This responsibility should not be undertaken lightly.

Overseas parents should check with consultants, before paying the registration fee or signing an agreement, to make certain that their requirements will be met. Parents should look for the following provisions in a guardianship service.

Welfare:

The most important part of the service should be the provision of a responsible, caring and committed "guardian family" who will look after the child exactly like one of their own children. They will have the child to stay fairly frequently as well as visiting the school as often as is necessary to ensure that their ward does not feel forgotten. Overseas children should be given their own bedroom where they can leave their belongings, where they can go if they need to work quietly, or if they just need to be alone.

A guardianship service should include the care and commitment normally given by parents and should provide full administrative responsibility. The service should include general liaison with the school, parents, and the appointed "guardian family"; responsibility for arranging a reliable escort service for the child to and from the airport; holiday arrangements; booking and confirmation of flights; renewal of passports; advice about visas, innoculations and vaccinations etc.

Parents should ask what steps are taken by a company when it registers guardian families, and check that the families are visited in their homes by a responsible and mature member of staff, and that references are obtained. This is of the utmost importance in view of the recent "Childrens Act" which makes statutory demands that families be scrupulously checked.

Family Life:

UK customs can be confusing for overseas children at first. It is important that they understand a little about the UK, the habits, customs, weather, food etc. before arriving. For example: few UK families have servants. Children from overseas are often surprised that cooking and some "housework" is done by the woman of the house and that the family's children are expected to help. For this reason children should be helped to understand that to be "part of a British family" includes keeping their bedroom and belongings tidy and, for example, helping to clear the table, with the family, after a meal.

Consultants charge a fee for their Guardianship service and may run them differently from one another. It would be wise to check the company's fees because these vary. Above all, it would be wise to obtain a written estimate of the overall annual cost and to ask whether a detailed statement of account is submitted periodically so that expenditure can be checked, which makes it possible for overseas parents to budget in advance.

Expatriate Parents:

Most British parents have friends and relations who can undertake guardianship when they work and live overseas. If, however, they do not have this support they find leaving their children at school in the UK just as worrying as foreign nationals. In such cases full guardianship will solve their problems.

It is a wise precaution to register the family details, the child's full name, date of birth, school etc. with a company which runs a guardianship service, in case initial arrangements fail. A nominal registration fee should be paid along with a (refundable) deposit. Should there be a crisis for some reason, the company would commence responsibility immediately and make all arrangements for the child to be cared for.

If you are living overseas, the best way to find out exactly what applies to your situation is to contact one or more of the following organisations:

If you need further help, advice or assistance on selecting a school, please refer to the useful contacts section within Schoolsfinder where you will find contact names and telephone numbers for all major educational bodies and associations.

Registration:

Some students over the age of 16 must register with the local Police. Advice and help is available at the school.

It cannot be overstated that children who study in the UK derive most benefit from the experience if they live, even if for limited periods, with a British family. If they spend their free time with families from their own country their knowledge of English will not develop as quickly. Education does not end in the classroom.

Schools and guardian families know that overseas students bring with them different customs, cultures and experience. This widens the horizons of everyone who comes into contact with them but works both ways. There are few things as important as the development of an international outlook. This can be achieved by young people from all over the world living, working and studying together. Lasting friendships with their guardian families will continue long after they have finished their education and returned home.