The guardianship system for minors is based on a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) regulation that provides protection for children.
Every full-time international student under the age of 18 studying in the UK will need an appointed educational guardian. The guardian has a number of responsibilities over the student. Guardians have to assist the student with matters of the visa, passport, and residence permits. In some situations, the guardian may need to attend school meetings on behalf of the parents. The guardian will also be responsible for the student’s accommodation when the school is closed or in certain circumstances such as illness or suspension from school. In rare cases of emergencies, the guardian has the power to make decisions about medical treatments.
Given these responsibilities, it’s important for parents to find a guardian who’s responsible through a reputable guardianship service. A professional guardian can help ease a parent’s mind about their young child in boarding school.
Guardian’s responsibility:
- Acting on behalf of parents in situations where they are unable to do so due to distance or timing.
- Looking after students’ welfare in the UK, especially when the school is closed for holidays.
- Providing a host family for students to stay with during half term and fixed exeat weekends when the school is closed.
- Helping students arrange travel both in the UK (taxi, train or bus) and back home (flight bookings, transfers).
- Helping students if anything goes wrong during their time in the UK.
- Communicating to schools on behalf of the parents.
