Families for Players Scheme
Because we believe opportunity shouldn’t be limited by geography, we are offering young athletes the opportunity to stay with host families whilst completing the ideal college course for them.
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South England Exchange is accredited as a homestay provider by AEGIS. The accreditation exists because students from abroad attending fee-paying schools must be assigned to a guardianship organisation in order to obtain a visa. This stipulation is anchored in immigration law to keep young people safe. At SEE, we only work with state schools, but we decided to voluntarily embrace the rigorous processes set out by AEGIS. This determines how we look for, assess, train and monitor host families as well as how we recruit and train staff. We are obliged to work to high safeguarding standards and provide evidence that our activities both thorough and empathetic. We adhere to the same processes when placing UK students in a family because they are also away from home and in need of appropriate settings
What is a homestay?
A homestay is a family. Of course, families vary enormously, so this can mean a single parent or a two-parent family with children. Students can request a particular type of family but we recommend being open to a
home which is different to what they are used to.
How do you choose families?
When assessing potential host families, we always ask ourselves and important question: ʻWould I be happy for my own child to live in this homeʼ? If the answer is ʻyesʼ, we can proceed to the next stage.
What about lunch?
Lunch is not included because students are generally in school. We recommend buying supplies and storing them at home to prepare healthy meals to take to
canteen or buy something on the way. The exclusion of lunch is not to save money, it is to avoid arguments. We all know that feeling of coming home and finding that one of our children has cleared out the fridge to make snacks. This causes tension,
was intended for the family dinner. Our rugby players can also access Brighton House which has great facilities for meal prepping.
What happens if a student doesnʼt get on with the family?
We look at each situation individually. It is possible to change families but there will always be a fair analysis of the situation first. It might be necessary to review a familyʼs or a studentʼs expectations.
Do families have rules?
Families are expected to take care of host students in the same way as they would be with their own children. They may expect a student to help in the home or do their own washing. Please note that homestay students are expected to be home by 10pm on weekdays and may not
smoke or drink.
Where do SEE host families live?
Our families are in and around Brighton and Hove. It is important to know that most local students come to school by bus or train, and it will be the same for those staying in host families. It is wise not to expect to be able to walk to school. As there is a lot of traffic in the city, bus journeys can take up to 45 minutes. We understand that it is very convenient to be able to walk to school, so we recommend applying for a family as early as possible.
Which meals are included?
Students have breakfast and dinner at home. Dinner is particularly important because that is when most family discussions take place. Students are expected to be treated and to behave like family members rather than guests. Of course, we make sure that host families are aware that rugby players use a lot of energy and need suitable meals.
Can two students stay in one home?
It is possible for 2 or even 3 players to be in the same family, if that is what you would like and we have a family which has enough space. Rugby players might also be in the same home as one of our international students, in that case, single rooms are essential.
Is it possible to board from Monday to Friday?
A family keeps a room available 7 days a week. It is not possible to reduce fees if they go to their hometown for the weekend because it wouldnʼt be fair on the host family.
Can students work at weekends?
It is possible to have a part time job as long as both families and the school agree.
Can we get to know the family before school starts?
Parents are likely to bring their child to the host family home at the beginning of term. However, we ask that natural parents allow their child to manage most communication with the host family after that.
Is support available?
SEE has a 24-hour hotline for all students and experienced staff are available for meetings in the home or at school. UK students are invited to all the same trips and activities as international students.