Bright World was established in 2000 and has its Head Office in Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex. It comprises Bright World Education Ltd and Bright World Guardianships Ltd and is owned by Lana and James Foster. The company specialises in advising and placing international students into UK schools and colleges and acting as their Educational Guardian during their study period. Bright World is fully accredited by AEGIS, the Association of Education Guardians for International Students.
Bright World is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Bright World works to ensure that all members of staff are aware that the responsibility for specific safeguarding issues and child protection from all forms of abuse belongs to everyone, and that families, communities and professionals must work together to promote their welfare.
Summary of the Role
Reporting to the Accommodation and Travel Department at Head Office, the Host Family role is to maintain the highest possible safeguarding standards, pastoral care and transfer of international students from and to their boarding school in the UK, while they are under the guardianship of Bright World. This care is extended to our students by the host family at times when they are not on school premises and includes exeat weekends, half terms and another occasions when they may need a host family.
Role title:
Host Family
Department:
Accommodation and Travel Department
Location:
Home Address reporting to the Accommodation and Travel Department at Forge House, 105 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PU
Role purpose:
To ensure that the highest standards of safeguarding are maintained for our students at UK boarding schools during their holiday times while in the UK, adhering to the safeguarding and child protection policy and upholding the host family charter. The purpose of the role is to maximise the safety of the student, while providing a cultural experience to enhance and promote their development.
Reporting line:
Su Warren, Director of Guardianship
Hours:
Variable during exeat weekends, half terms and other periods of time when a student needs a host family
Payment:
Refer to the Host Family Handbook
Main duties and responsibilities
1. To adhere to the safeguarding and child protection policy, contents of the Host Family Handbook (including health and safety guidance) and Host Family Charter.
2. Following receiving confirmation from Head Office that a student is coming to stay with you, contact the student by email to introduce yourself and read any medical notes or information on the student profile which you will be sent.
3. Confirm the collection details of the student from the boarding house and be available to collect the student at the required time before the school closes.
4. Provide a clean, warm and comfortable room to host the student which should include a permanent bed, chest of drawers, a wardrobe, a mirror, a bedside lamp by each bed and a quiet place for the student to study.
5. Provide adequate heating, lighting and internet/wifi access, shower or bath facilities and provide clean towels for the student.
6. Provide the student with breakfast, lunch and a 2 course cooked evening meal every day that they are with you, in addition to making snacks available in between meals should they be needed by the student.
7. Inform the Accommodation and Travel Department of any changes to your details, changes to your home or people living in your house.
Other responsibilities
1. Report to the Accommodation and Travel Department at Head Office any non-Bright World students you are hosting and any direct contact from a student who is attempting to make their own hosting arrangements with you.
Person specification
Bright World is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Method of assessment:
Interview by the Local Coordinator during the initial visit and where relevant copies of qualification certificates. Enhanced DBS check with barred list check. Receipt of personal and professional references.
Qualifications required
Completion of a safeguarding course every 3 years and reading Bright World’s regular updates throughout the year.
Skills required
Ability to care for children, ensuring rules are followed where necessary and the ability to follow safeguarding guidelines and procedure.
Ability to use an email account and have access to a telephone line.
Ability to drive a car to ensure the student can be picked up and dropped off at school.
Personal qualities
Willingness to enrich family life by providing the student with a diverse experience of staying with a host family including offering cultural experiences, preparing food dishes from the student’s home country and helping the student with their understanding of the English language.
Willingness to work flexibly in support of the student for planned and unplanned situations. Ability to understand and deal with cultural differences to ensure the highest levels of safeguarding of the student, and the boarding school environment in which the student is enrolled.