Educational guardianship supports international students studying in the UK, away from their parents. Most schools, colleges and universities require a UK-based guardian for students under eighteen.
A guardian is the local point of contact for the student, the school and the family. We look after each student’s welfare and are contactable at all times, day and night.
We offer three levels of guardianship, Light, Homestay and University, so families can choose the support that suits their child. We have cared for international students since 1965.
Our guardians work closely with parents, schools & agents to ensure the safeguarding of our students whilst they are living away from home.
Light Guardianship is a ‘hands-off’, ‘light-touch’ service that gives students their independence, whilst giving parents peace of mind and meeting school/college regulations
Our Homestay service offers students a nurturing ‘home from home’ with a caring guardian family, providing 24-7 contact for parents, students, school, and host family.
Educational guardianship is an arrangement in which a UK-based guardian takes responsibility for an international student while they are studying at a UK school, college or university and are away from their parents.
The guardian is the local point of contact for the school, looks after the student’s welfare, and arranges practical support such as accommodation during exeats and holidays. As part of the student visa application process, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires all student visa applicants under 18 to appoint a guardian, and the guardian’s details must be included in the student’s visa application. All UK independent boarding schools also require an international student under 18 to have a UK guardian while studying at the school.
No. An educational guardian is not the same as a legal guardian. A legal guardian is appointed by a UK court of law and represents parents in their absence, for example if they have died, are incapacitated, or are in prison.
An educational guardian is appointed to oversee a child’s education on behalf of parents who do not live in the UK. This involves a contract or agreement between the appointed guardian or guardianship organisation setting out exactly what the guardian undertakes to do.
An educational guardian acts in place of the parents while their child studies in the UK. Working alongside the school, the guardian is the main point of contact for the student and the family and looks after the child’s safety and wellbeing.
Day to day this can include liaising with the school, attending meetings on the family’s behalf, arranging safe accommodation and travel during exeats, half terms and holidays, and being on hand in an emergency. The aim is to make sure a responsible adult is always nearby while the family is overseas.
We explain the full role, and everything a Sutherland guardian takes care of, in our guide: What does an educational guardian do?
International students under 18 studying in the UK are required to have a UK-based educational guardian, a requirement enforced by schools, universities and UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) regulations.
UK boarding schools and many colleges require any international student under 18 to have a UK-based guardian as a condition of enrolment. This makes sure there is always a responsible adult who can act for the parents, support the student, and respond quickly if something goes wrong while the family is abroad. Students turning 18 while enrolled may still need a guardian if school policy requires it.
Sutherland offers four levels of guardianship to suit different needs:
Fees depend on the level of service you choose, since each one involves a different level of support and, in some cases, accommodation. We are happy to provide a full breakdown of current fees on request.
