The Head Office team is based in Sussex and is responsible for the organisation of the guardianship programme, and offers parents and agents a ‘one-stop-shop’ for all matters relating to the programme.
The Accommodation, Travel and Safeguarding Team
This department is responsible for all matters relating to host family recruitment, obtaining written references, monitoring enhanced DBS checks, that are reviewed annually, and annual house and car inspections.
The Accommodation and Travel Managers:
• are responsible for all liaison with host families
• allocate host families for all events (half terms, exeats and extraordinary events)
• conduct a telephone interview with you prior to you taking students from us for the first time
• book all airport transfers and would ask host families never to get involved with transferring students to and from airports handle questions our host families have regarding the programme or any contact they want with the overseas parents or agents of their students Guardianship Care Management Team:
• Receives and processes all new enrolments for guardianship, usually via our website and from our partner agents overseas and from parents direct
• is responsible for all liaison with the schools
• is responsible for all liaison with parents and overseas agents
• is responsible for all trouble shooting with the school and parents
Senior Management Team
Lana and James Foster, as company directors, are the official guardian of all students. James Foster is Commercial Director and is responsible for payments to host families
Local Coordinators
Our team of Bright World Buddies live near the schools and are there for the student. They act as their mentor and independent friend in the UK and the parent’s representative.
• Local Coordinators are our ‘person on the ground’ in each area and conduct all host family inspections and spot checks.
• Local Coordinators will come to your home and conduct the initial house inspection once you have applied. They will then complete the ID checks required for enhanced DBS checks with you for you and any adult aged 16 years and over living in your home including children temporarily away working or studying..
• They will call and ask you how students are getting along and may also come by and see you and the students during the first half term or time they are with you.
• You can contact LCs or Head Office if you have any questions or problems relating to a student who is already with you.
• Local Coordinators do not decide which students go where—that is the role of Head Office.
• Local Coordinators also don’t make arrangements with you, the host family for students to stay with you—that is also co-ordinated by Head Office
• Local Coordinators also don’t make travel arrangements or pick up and drop off students. Host families are asked to collect and drop off their students as an important part of their job.
• You will receive an update inspection or spot check from one of our Local Coordinators or a Head Office member of staff on a regular basis.