Student safety will always be at the top of our priority list, so we require a little extra from our host families who are taking care of students under the age of 18.
In addition to the standard host selection criteria, hosts of students in high school or younger must:
Be members of the local community and live within 30 minutes travel of the school
Host no more than 2 international students, each in their own private room, at one time
Be willing to sign and accept the responsibilities of custodial care for the student
All members of the household over the age of 18 must pass a criminal background check and a search of the Department of Justice’s National Sex Offender Registry
Pass a virtual home inspection and interview to determine they are a suitable host (if it has been more than 6 months since the home was inspected, a pre-arrival inspection must occur)
Attend host parent orientation program to connect host parents with the school and learn more about the academic program if required by the student’s school.
Understand and accept the billing cycle and payment terms:
Host will be paid 2 weeks at a time.
First payment will be processed on the first Monday after the student arrives and then fortnightly for the duration of the placement.
They will be paid normal full rate if the student goes home in the Christmas/ Easter break.
The student may stay for up to one week before and/ or after the beginning/end of the school year but must pay additional fees if they wish to stay for the entire summer break.
Pick the student up from the airport holding a clearly visible sign in the arrivals area (monitor the flight online for any changes and adjust pick up time as needed)
Drop the student back at the airport when they leave
Drive students to and from school and extracurricular activities and support non-school related activities and social engagements (within reason)
Provide 3 meals per day/7 days per week
Conduct orientation with the student to include:
Discussion of the house rules
Expectations of each other
Offer support and guidance and encourage the student to come to them if they have any concerns
Show the student around the local area and assist them to open a bank account and obtain a SIM card
Monitor the student to ensure they are settling in, talk to them about how to cope with small problems, escalate any bigger concerns to SRS
Monitor the student to ensure key rules are followed (such as not driving, smoking etc)
Monitor curfews, school attendance and student travel. Contact SRS for all travel approval
Practice English with the student whenever possible (during meal times at a minimum)
Treat the student as a member of the family taking them to local family outings and monitoring their whereabouts at all times