â AEGIS GOLD ¡ TRUSTED HOST FAMILY NETWORK
What is a Host Family?
The People Who Make Studying in the UK Possible for International Students
If you’ve ever wondered what a host family does, who can become one, or how international students stay with families during school holidays, you’re in the right place.
A host family provides a safe, welcoming home for an international student when their boarding school is closed or when they need somewhere to stay outside of term time. At YES Guardians, our host families support students from leading independent schools across the UK, giving them a genuine home from home while their parents are thousands of miles away.
Whether you’re simply curious or you’re considering becoming a host family yourself, this guide explains everything you need to know.
Yes â host families are paid.
We pay competitive rates for every stay, review our payments annually, and you’ll always know exactly what you’ll receive before accepting a booking.
Hosting fits around your own availability, whether you’d like to host once a year or throughout the school holidays.
Accredited. Recognised. Awarded.
What Does a Host Family Provide?
A host family does far more than provide a spare bedroom.
For many international students, particularly those under the age of 18, a host family becomes the place where they can properly relax. Boarding school life is busy, structured and often shared with hundreds of other pupils. Staying with a host family gives students the chance to experience everyday family life in the UK.
A typical stay might involve sharing meals together, helping the student settle in, providing transport to and from school if required, washing bedding or clothes during longer stays, and simply being another trusted adult they can talk to.
Students are encouraged to become part of the household during their stay. Some enjoy helping cook dinner, watching films together or walking the dog, while others simply appreciate having a quiet bedroom and a comfortable place to recharge before returning to school.
International Student Accommodation During School Holidays
One of the biggest misconceptions is that boarding schools remain open all year.
In reality, most UK boarding schools close several times throughout the academic year. During these periods, international students need somewhere safe to stay.
Host families are commonly required during:
- Exeat weekends
- Half-term holidays
- Christmas holidays
- Easter holidays
- Summer holidays
- Unexpected school closures
- Emergency situations
- Times when parents are travelling
Many students return to the same host family throughout their school career, building genuine relationships over several years.
Hosting, Explained in Under Two Minutes
What Happens Next?
Complete our simple enquiry form.
We'll arrange a friendly visit and answer your questions.
We'll guide you through every safeguarding requirement.
We'll add you to our host family network if successful
Accept only the stays that suit your family.
We'll support you before, during and after every placement.
How Hosting Works
Is a Host Family the Same as Fostering?
No.
Although both involve welcoming young people into your home, they are completely different.
Fostering is a long-term legal arrangement where foster carers assume significant parental responsibility for children within the UK care system.
Hosting international students is short-term accommodation arranged through an educational guardianship organisation. Students remain under the care of their parents, their school and their guardian throughout their stay.
Host families provide care, support and a safe environment, but they do not become the student’s legal guardian.
Is a Host Family the Same as Fostering?
Again, no
A lodger rents a room. A host family welcomes someone into family life.
International students generally eat meals with the family, might spend time together in communal areas (although not always) and are supported throughout their stay. The relationship is much more personal than simply renting out a room.
A Typical Exeat Weekend
Student collected from school
Family meal
Relax for the evening
Breakfast
Trip out / football / shopping / relaxing
Sunday roast prep
Student collected from school
Family meal
Relax for the evening
Can I Host an International Student?
There isn’t a typical host family.
Many people assume you need young children or previous childcare experience, but that’s simply not true.
Our hosts include:
- Families with children
- Couples
- Empty nesters
- Retired couples
- Professionals
- Single adults
- Previous teachers
- Healthcare professionals
The most important qualities aren’t your occupation or your family size. They’re kindness, reliability, patience and having a genuine spare bedroom.
What Makes a Good Host Family?
The best hosts aren’t necessarily those with the biggest houses.
Students remember the families who made them feel welcome.
Good host families are friendly, organised and enjoy having another person around the dinner table. They understand that students may be nervous at first and help them settle into everyday family life.
A comfortable bedroom, regular meals and a welcoming atmosphere are often far more important than having a luxury home.
Pay & Safety
How Much Do Host Families Get Paid?
Yes, hosting is paid.
Hosting international students is paid work. Host families receive payment for every stay to cover accommodation, meals and the time involved in supporting students.
Most hosts earn comfortably within the Government’s Rent a Room Scheme, which currently allows up to ÂŖ7,500 a year in tax-free income from letting furnished accommodation in your home, subject to individual circumstances.
At YES Guardians, rates are reviewed annually and increased wherever possible, and hosts are fully informed before accepting any placement.
Is It Safe?
Safety is at the heart of everything we do.
Every host family is carefully assessed before welcoming students into their home. This includes:
- Enhanced DBS checks
- Home assessment visits
- References
- Ongoing support
- Regular communication
- Safeguarding guidance
- 24/7 emergency contact
As an AEGIS Gold accredited guardianship organisation, safeguarding isn’t simply a requirement â it’s central to how we operate, in line with the Children Acts 1989 and 2004 and Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance.
“They are some of the kindest, funniest and caring people I have ever met! The food is brilliant and it always feels very homely when I am staying with them.”
“Our daughter spent 2 years with their hosts, including spending a year and a half living with Marc and Hayley’s family. The food is delicious, communication is outstanding, and they are kind and professional.”
“My child had a great time with the family during his Half Term Holiday. As I am living oversea, the family helped to arrange a birthday party and prepared birthday gifts to my boy.”
“Her host family went above and beyond to make her feel welcome, including catering for her food intolerance. We felt reassured that we were leaving our daughter in excellent hands.”
Support
What Support Do Host Families Receive?
One of the biggest worries people have is whether they’ll be left to manage everything themselves.
The answer is no
Every placement is supported by the YES Guardians team from beginning to end.
Before a student arrives you’ll receive detailed information about them, including dietary requirements, allergies, school details and arrival arrangements.
Throughout every stay our team remains available 24 hours a day should you ever need advice or assistance. Most placements run smoothly, but it’s reassuring to know that help is always only a phone call away.
Support
What Support Do Host Families Receive?
Every placement is different. Some students stay for a single weekend during an exeat. Others stay for half-term holidays lasting one or two weeks. Some families host regularly throughout the academic year, while others only host once or twice. You’re always free to decide which bookings fit around your own family life and availability.
Can I Choose When I Host?
Absolutely.
Hosting is designed to work around your availability. Whether you’d like to welcome students every school holiday or just a couple of weekends each year, you decide which placements to accept. There is never any obligation to take a booking that doesn’t suit you.
Why Host Families Choose YES
We don't just place students. We host ourselves.
- You're never pressured to accept a booking
- Direct support 24/7
- Clear communication
- Annual payment reviews
- We match students carefully
- Fast payments
- We host ourselves
- AEGIS Gold accredited
More Than Just a Spare Room
To a student arriving from Hong Kong, China, Spain or Italy, it becomes somewhere they can switch off after a busy term at boarding school.
Many of our hosts tell us the same thing afterwards. They expected to provide a bedroom. Instead, they gained stories, friendships and the excitement of welcoming someone from another part of the world into everyday family life.
Some students return year after year and become part of the family.
Everything Else You Might Want to Know
Hopefully the FAQ below helps answer any other questions you may have
Do I need a visa or right-to-host check?
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Can single-parent households host?
Yes. We welcome hosts from all household types, including single adults, as long as the home passes our safeguarding assessment.
Can students share a bathroom?
Yes, many households have shared bathrooms. We’ll always confirm this as part of matching.
Do I have to cook every meal?
We ask hosts to provide three meals a day, but students are often happy to help or share cooking too. Breakfast can be cold help your self for example.
Can I still work full time?
Yes. Many of our hosts work full time â hosting fits around evenings, weekends and holiday periods rather than requiring you to be home all day.
What ages are the students?
Our students are typically aged 11 to 18, attending schools across the UK.
Can I host boys and girls?
Yes, though you can let us know if you have a preference and we’ll match accordingly. We do ask that both genders are considered, having hosted boys ourselves for many years.
Do students speak English?
Yes, generally as part of admission to any study in the UK, a pre exam in English has to be passed.
Do I need WiFi?
Yes, reliable WiFi is one of our basic requirements for host homes.
What if we're going on holiday during a placement?
Just let us know your availability in advance â you’re never obligated to accept a booking that clashes.
Can grandparents or retired couples host?
Absolutely, many of our best hosts are empty nesters or retired couples.
Can we host siblings together?
Yes, provided there’s suitable bedroom space for each child.
What if my dog isn't keen on strangers?
Let us know and we’ll match you with students who are comfortable around dogs, or avoid pet-sensitive placements.
Can students stay over Christmas?
Yes, although rare, some students may stay in the UK during Christmas. Rates of pay are higher during this time.
Your Spare Room Could Make a Huge Difference
If you have a welcoming home and a little extra space, hosting could be one of the most rewarding â and surprisingly flexible â things you ever do. We’ll support you every step of the way.