How It Works
An Overview of Hosting
Hosting with Wiltshire Host Families is a rewarding experience that connects you with international students and offers them a true English experience.
You don’t need to be an experienced host to join us – we’ll provide you with all of the support, guidance and knowledge to make it an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
Here’s a guide to help you understand how hosting works and what you need to know.
Getting Started
To become a host family, you can apply through our website, call us, email us, or message us on Facebook.
Our Operations Manager, Jo Cass (or one of her experienced colleagues), will walk you through the process, including a home visit to ensure suitability. Once this has been done, you’ll need to complete our free safeguarding course and, if necessary, obtain a DBS check.
We can arrange the DBS for you and deduct the cost (around £60) from your first pay packet.
Your Responsibilities
Hosting students is incredibly simple and by following our guidance, an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
Ensure that students are dropped off at the designated drop-off point by 07:40 each morning. This is crucial as it aligns with the students’ schedules and ensures they are on time for their activities.
Students don’t arrive back until at least 18:30, where you’ll need to collect them from your centre’s designated collection point.
Prior to your student’s arriving, you will be provided with their itinerary (including pick up times).
Breakfast: Provide a nutritious ‘help yourself’ breakfast each morning. This could include options such as cereals, toast, fruit, and juice.
There is no requirement to provide a cooked breakfast.
Packed Lunch: Prepare a packed lunch for students to take with them. Packed lunches should include 2 filled rolls, crisps, a chocolate bar or cake, a piece of fruit and water.
We do not allow sandwiches.
Evening Meal: Serve a hot evening meal that is both hearty and varied. Aim to offer a range of meals that reflect British cuisine, such as bangers and mash, pasta dishes, pizza and chips or traditional British fare. It’s an opportunity to introduce students to our cuisine and culture.
Special Dietary Requirements: If a student has any allergies or dietary preferences, you will be informed in advance.
Showers: Ensure that students shower in the evening.
Evening Interaction: Engage with students in the evening. This can include activities such as playing board games, watching films, or simply having conversations. While evenings can be short, spending time together helps build a connection and enriches their experience.
Comfortable Environment: Provide a clean, safe, and comfortable living space for students. Their room should be well-maintained, with fresh bedding and a quiet area for rest.
Support and Interaction: Be available to support students and address any questions or concerns they may have. Encourage them to feel at home and participate in family activities where possible.
Allocating Students
Students are allocated to host families based on availability and location. Hosts have the opportunity to request specific preferences, such as the gender of the student and the number of students they wish to host.
Advance Notice:
Allocation typically happens 4-5 weeks in advance. This allows ample time for hosts to prepare and ensure everything is in place for the students’ arrival.
Preferences:
Hosts can specify their preferences when applying, and we do our best to match these requests to ensure a good fit.
Payment & Compensation
Hosts are paid weekly, in cash, on the first morning of the hosting period.
The tax-free payment rate per night for 2024 is £19 per student and £23.50/adult.
Additional Expenses:
If a student has specific dietary requirements that incur extra costs, additional funds may be provided to cover these expenses.
Financial Documentation:
Tax free payments of up to £7500/year are covered under the Government’s rent-a-room scheme, which simplifies the financial aspects of hosting.