Brockenhurst College | Brock is one of the most successful Sixth Form colleges in the UK, offering A levels, Vocational, Adult Learning, Apprenticeships, Business courses.
Apply to be a Homestay host
At Brockenhurst College we offer both long-term and short-term opportunities for Homestay hosts.
We have two-year A Level programmes for International students wishing to remain in the UK for university. Meanwhile, we have one-year A Level programmes for International students returning home to complete their high school education.
Other International students participate in our High School Experience Programme. This sees them stay for a term, two terms, or a term-and-a-half, commencing in September and January.
Groups also visit in summer and winter to undertake a residential English programme, which combines classes, activities and field trips. These students normally stay with us for between one and two weeks, residing with host families in twin rooms.
Please ensure you have read the Homestay Handbook before applying. It contains all the most important information, including details of the checks we are duty bound by law to make.
What happens next?
Initial host family visit
First we will assess your application. If you appear suitable we will make an appointment to visit you at home. This will take 60 – 90 minutes and will include an informal chat about our expectations. Importantly, we will assess your facilities and answer any questions you may have.
During this visit we may also make some recommendations about the bedroom(s) and/or ask you to provide certain furniture depending upon the room set-up. Please note that we will need to take photos of the accommodation. These will be kept for our records only.
References
We will require TWO character references before you can become a Homestay host.
- The first should be from someone you know in a professional capacity (usually your employer).
- The second should be from someone you have known personally for at least two years (not a family member).
Please ensure you nominate two people on your application form. You should include their name, postal address and contact details, as well as an explanation of their relationship to you.
Please also confirm with your referees that they are willing to provide a reference for you. We will then contact them and ask them to complete our reference form. All references will remain confidential.
Disclosure & Barring Service Certificates
If your application is successful, all members of your household aged 18 or over will be invited into the College to complete the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Certificate application form.
A DBS certificate is usually required by law for anyone working with children, whether on a paid or voluntary basis. We will provide a DBS certificate for two members of your household. There will be a cost of £44 each (subject to DBS changing the price) and we ask that you pay this in advance. You will only be reimbursed after a successful period of hosting (usually around 3-4 months or a term).
Please note that we require a DBS certificate for any permanent member of your household who is aged 18 or over, or semi-permanent household members. This might include non-resident partners, older children, or parents who visit the property regularly (particularly those that stay overnight). Please advise us if any of these visitors apply to you.
If you require any additional certificates throughout your hosting period, any cost will be incurred at your expense. You may require additional certificates if a member of your household turns 18, or if a family member or friend moves into your property.
Once you have received your DBS certificate(s) you will be required to send the original(s) to us. We will take a note of the number and the date of issue, then return the certificate(s) to you. Please make a copy of the certificate before sending it to us and keep the original in a safe place once we have returned it.
DBS Update Service
If you are part of the DBS update programme you may be exempt from completing another DBS check. Please get in touch with us for further advice. For further information about the Update Service, please read through the guidelines on the DBS website here.
Gas Safety Certificate
You will need to obtain a Landlord’s Gas Safety Certificate. This should cover ALL gas appliances at your property. You can use any engineer who is listed on the Gas Safe Register to award your certificate. This will be at your expense and is an annual requirement.
Host Family Agreement
You will be provided with a Host Family Agreement form at the end of a successful initial visit or via email. You will be required to sign this document to confirm that you are happy with our expectations for hosts. This document must be signed before we accept you onto the programme.
Host Family Profile
You will be asked to complete a Host Family Profile, which will be emailed to your allocated student(s) by way of introduction. We will send you an example profile along with a template for you to complete. A family photograph is also useful to include as part of your profile.
Additional Training
As a Homestay host you will be required to undergo some training around child welfare and safety. Training in Safeguarding and a course relating to the Government’s Prevent Strategy will be part of your application procedure. Course links will be emailed to you after our initial visit.
There will also be opportunities for you to attend meetings or events at the College. You will receive information about these when necessary.
If you have any further queries about the Homestay programme, please contact us.
