UKEDA arrange high-quality homestay accommodation for students who are under 18 years of age as well as for adults. We place students with friendly and caring families in order for students to practice and improve English language skills.

Whilst there is currently no directive relating specifically to homestay accommodation for international students aged under 18, UKEDA recognises its duty of care to safeguard all children from harm. All children have a right to protection, and the needs of children and others who may be particularly vulnerable must be taken into account. We seek to maintain a safe and supportive environment and ensure that all employees, third party accommodation providers and host families working with UKEDA accept and recognise these responsibilities.

A child is defined as a person under the age of 18 (The Children Act 1989).

The aim of this policy is:

•  To promote good practice, providing children, young people and staff with appropriate safety/protection and to allow staff to make informed and confident responses to specific child protection issues.
• To provide staff and host families with guidance on procedures they should adopt in the event that they suspect a young person or vulnerable adult may be experiencing, or be at risk of harm.

We seek to safeguard young people and vulnerable adults by:

• Ensuring a safe environment for students in order to safeguard their interests.
• Treating all students with care and respect according to their needs and without discrimination of any kind.
• Protecting each student from any form of abuse, whether from an adult or another student.
• Sharing information and acting promptly and professionally to any concerns.
• Ensuring those host families and/or homestay providers and local organiser signs a declaration -Declaration with regards to The Children Act 1989 (amended 2006) of suitability to provide accommodation to young people under 18 on behalf of all residents in the household.
• Provide registered homestay hosts with copies of our Safeguarding Policy.
• Regularly reviewing the policy on an annual basis or more frequently should this be deemed as required.