Creating Supportive Homes
OPDS are committed to providing a caring and nurturing environment for international guardian students. As a leading provider of guardianship services, we specialise in creating warm and supportive homes, ensuring the well-being, safety, and positive development of students here in the UK during their school holidays.
Our commitment is to offer a home away from home, where students feel embraced by a supportive family while pursuing their educational dreams.
As holders of the Gold Standard accreditation from AEGIS we take great care in selecting host families, ensuring they meet strict criteria for safety, suitability, and commitment to providing a supportive environment.
Each family is rigorously checked to AEGIS Gold standards before they can join us, this includes but is not limited to:
- Annual declaration by main carer
- Enhanced DBS for anyone over 16 (renewed every 3 years)
- Safeguarding training including annual updates
- Annual visit and inspection
- Smoke alarms where required
- Carbon monoxide alarms where required
- Annual landlords gas safety certificate
Recognising the diverse backgrounds of international students, we match them with host families who appreciate and embrace cultural diversity, offering a welcoming atmosphere. Our approach to pairing students with host families is individualised, taking into consideration the unique preferences, interests and needs of both parties.
Our host family program adheres to the highest standards of safety, care, and suitability as required by AEGIS. With a broad network of host families in various locations, we cater to the diverse needs and preferences of international students. We create individualised care plans, ensuring a harmonious living arrangement that promotes personal development.
Whether you are a student seeking a welcoming home or a family interested in opening your doors to international students, contact OPDS on andrea.sherlock@opds.co.uk or use the form below. We look forward to creating meaningful connections, providing a supportive family environment for students here in the UK.