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My GuardiansEducational Consultants & Guardians
Safe Schools
Safe travel arrangements in the UK
We recommend that parents choose an AEGIS accredited guardianship organisation to organise airport transfers with drivers who are screened and experienced in transporting international students. They also adhere to social distancing and hygiene standards.
The guardian is to ensure that:
Students returning to their home countries
Several countries have banned or limited UK travels meaning some students will be unable to return to their home country. For individual country guidance please visit: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Hong Kong – Guidance is taken from the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, full guidance is available here:
https://www.hketolondon.gov.hk/info-uk.php
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202106/24/P2021062400893.htm
https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/
From 28 June 2021, the UK will be specified as Group A2 specified places (very high risk) where arrivals from the UK to Hong Kong would be subjected to tightened quarantine requirements of 21-day, and no shortened quarantine arrangement would be provided to those who have been fully vaccinated.
For persons who arrived at Hong Kong from the UK from 7 May 2021, they will be required to (a) undergo compulsory quarantine for 21 days in a designated quarantine hotel; (b) self-monitor in the subsequent 7 days; and (c) do 4 tests during the 21-day compulsory quarantine and another test on the 26th day of arrival at Hong Kong.
The UK will be specified as Group A2 specified place (very high risk) from 28 June 2021 where the same boarding, quarantine of 21-day and testing requirements will be imposed on persons arriving at Hong Kong, regardless of whether they have been fully vaccinated or otherwise. Between 4 June and 27 June 2021, persons arriving at Hong Kong who have stayed in the UK (Group B specified place) but are yet to be fully vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines will be subject to a 21-day compulsory quarantine at designated quarantine hotels, with four tests to be conducted during the period. Those who have been fully vaccinated will be subject to a 14-day compulsory quarantine at designated quarantine hotels, with three tests to be conducted during the period, followed by a seven-day self-monitoring period as well as compulsory testing on the 16th and 19th day of arrival at Hong Kong. Fully vaccinated means that the suggested dosage has been administered in accordance with relevant guidelines of a COVID-19 vaccination course at least 14 days prior to arrival in Hong Kong. The relevant vaccines administered should be those included on the List of COVID-19 Vaccines Recognised for Specified Purposes.
Please kindly note that from 26 June 2021 onwards, the relevant test must be a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based nucleic acid test. Results of tests conducted using other testing platforms (e.g. reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification, RT-LAMP) cannot be considered to have fulfilled the relevant specified boarding requirement.
PLEASE CHECK WITH THE AIRLINE WHICH PCR TEST IS ACCEPTABLE.
From 0.00 am on July 1 (Hong Kong time), all passenger flights from the UK will be prohibited from landing in Hong Kong. The UK will also at the same time be specified as an extremely high-risk Group A1 specified place to restrict persons who have stayed in that place for more than two hours from boarding passenger flights for Hong Kong, so as to stop persons from the relevant place from travelling to Hong Kong via transit. Full details can be found here:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202106/28/P2021062800825.htm?fontSize=1
https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk
Hong Kong Immigration Department’s 24-hour hotline provides assistance to HK residents overseas: (852) 1868
https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/Assistance_Outside_Hong_Kong.html
Hong Kong’s Department of Health: +852 2125 1122. Their opening hours are 9 am to 8 pm (Hong Kong time) daily.
Japan – Japan is only accepting negative Covid-19 tests which indicate the test taken is a nasopharyngeal test.
See: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/japan/entry-requirements
If boarding students display COVID-19 symptoms whilst at school
My Guardians follow Public Health and government guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection
Host families and educational guardians are not in a position to take over the care of students who display symptoms or test positive for COVID-19 at boarding school. Public Health and government advice, and that of the Safe Schools UK and BSA Charter, is that boarding schools provide isolation for international boarders on school premises.
“From 16 August, you will not be required to self-isolate if you live in the same household as someone with COVID-19 and any of the following apply:
Fully vaccinated means that you have been vaccinated with an MHRA approved COVID-19 vaccine in the UK, and at least 14 days have passed since you received the recommended doses of that vaccine.”
Please note that boarding school students who share facilities are viewed as a ‘household’ in this guidance.
In the event of school closure
Where schools are unable to keep their boarding houses open, MY GUARDIANS will provide homestay accommodation for healthy students.
If there is a school closure and students at the affected school are displaying symptoms and/or awaiting test results for COVID-19, MY GUARDIANS are unable to accommodate these students in host families due to the risk to the host family and wider community. Any such student will need to remain within the school’s isolation provision until they receive the all-clear or are admitted to a medical facility. If a student receives a negative test result, guardians will then accommodate them as stated above.
If a student develops symptoms after being placed in a homestay and the school is closed, MY GUARDIANS will instigate the proper testing and isolation procedures and accommodate the student until they are given the all-clear, or admitted to a medical facility.
If a student develops symptoms during a residential course the responsibility for the care of the student will remain with the course provider.
Guidance on self-isolation:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection
How to stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) – GOV.UK (ww.gov.uk)
Current Guidance for Schools
England: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak
Scotland: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-reducing-the-risks-in-schools/
Wales: https://gov.wales/operational-guidance-schools-and-settings
Northern Ireland: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-schools-colleges-and-universities
Hosting of international students FAQs
Please note that Public Health England has advised carrying out an individual risk assessment and discussion with homestays regarding any hosting arrangements. Hosting arrangements would need to be compliant with any current local guidance for households which might vary depending on local incidence levels. International students are classed as part of the household bubble.
Q: Can guardians arrange homestay accommodation for healthy students during school holidays?
A: Unless the student was a confirmed case or contact of a confirmed case self-isolating or quarantining following travel from a country where this is required, there is no reason why they should not go to their homestay. If a member of the homestay is self-isolating as a Covid-positive case or contact then this hosting would not be advised.
Q: Should students continue testing during their stay?
A: It is recommended by Public Health that students continue to participate in a twice-weekly asymptomatic LFD testing outside of school, during stays with host families and in residential holiday settings.
Regular rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) tests if you do not have symptoms – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Q: What happens if a student displays symptoms whilst at a homestay provided by an AEGIS accredited guardianship organisation?
A: Host families would continue to care for students who display symptoms whilst at their homes. They would follow medical advice and government guidelines on self-isolation:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection
Host families would liaise closely with the guardianship organisation who would keep the school and overseas parents fully informed of the situation.
Q: Mixing of households – how does this affect the hosting of international students?
A: International students are considered part of the family bubble that is hosting them.
Q: Can a healthy international boarding student stay with a homestay during a national lockdown?
A: International boarders are able to stay with allocated homestays just as British boarders are able to return home to stay with their families.
Q: If an area goes into local lockdown whilst a student is staying with a homestay family during a school holiday, would they be able to return to boarding school during the lockdown period?
A: Yes, they would be able to return to school.
Q: Can guardians provide long term accommodation in homestays for students while schools are closed?
A: Yes, guardians are able to provide long-stay accommodation with host families.
Where a hosting arrangement for a student under the age of 16 lasts for 28 consecutive days or longer, AEGIS guardians are aware that this is classed as a private fostering arrangement and subject to local authority checks. AEGIS guardians understand that they have a duty to report the hosting arrangement to the local authority as soon as they become aware that the arrangement will meet the private fostering threshold. Further guidance on Private Fostering can be found here: Private Fostering
For further queries please contact:
DfE coronavirus helpline
Telephone: 0800 046 8687
Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm
The groups of guardianship organisations, like My Guardians, who are accredited by AEGIS, discuss matters of policy regularly. We aim to present a united approach to the assistance we can offer during the COVID-19 crisis. We recommend that overseas parents familiarise themselves with the rigorous inspection process undertaken by AEGIS guardianship organisations. We recommend that parents choose an AEGIS accredited guardian whose processes and practices have been fully inspected by trained and independent inspectors.
AEGIS accredited guardianship organizations, like My Guardians, have been praised by schools, agents and parents for their hard work and swift action during the COVID-19 crisis. They were proactive in assisting schools, students and parents.
We recommend that schools and agents make overseas parents aware of our accreditation process when they are choosing a guardianship organisation. AEGIS accredited guardianship organisations are professionally structured organisations that are fully insured, often trained in mental health and always in child protection, offering 24/7 emergency assistance throughout the academic year.
My Guardians is AEGIS accredited guardianship organisation, we are professionally structured company that is fully insured, staff is trained in Child Protection and Mental Health & Wellbeing, offering 24/7 emergency assistance throughout the academic year.
My Guardians commitments to helping students return safely to UK boarding schools.
My Guardians is committed to assisting schools and parents in the safe return of students.
It is likely that some travel will need to be planned at the last minute as flights become available. My Guardians pledge to be working with emergency assistance available 24/7 to facilitate the immediate assistance required for parents arranging flights for arriving students.
My Guardians will ensure that the student or parent completes the relevant online form via the link below before arrival in the UK. The form cannot be submitted until 48 hours before arrival in the UK. The student will need to carry a copy of the completed form with them and the form will be required on arrival at the UK border, either a printed version or a copy on a mobile phone. The government will use this information to make contact if the student or someone who travelled with the student develops COVID-19 symptoms and to check that the student is self-isolating for the first 14 days. https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk
My Guardians will ensure students also travel with the standard Permission to Travel Letter, as per Appendix 11 of the AEGIS Inspection Handbook & Quality Standards.
Safe travel arrangements in the UK:
We recommend that parents choose My Guardians to organise airport transfers with drivers who are experienced with picking up international students and who are committed to abiding by strict social distancing and hygiene standards.
Quarantine facilities:
As mentioned previously, from 10 July 2020, unless they have visited or stopped in any other country or territory in the preceding 14 days, passengers arriving from certain countries and territories will not be required to self-isolate on arrival into England. The list of exempt countries and further details can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-corridors
Boarding schools that are able to provide quarantine will be following guidelines: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-boarding-schools-with-international-students/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-residential-educational-settings-with-international-students-under-the-age-of-18.
Where schools are unable to assist with 14-day quarantine for those travelling from other countries, My Guardians will assist with residential facilities and, in some exceptional cases, homestays who are prepared and equipped to offer this service. The addresses offered by My Guardians will satisfy the border officials on arrival in the UK.
My Guardians will follow government guidelines on 14-day self-isolation and ensure that parents and students understand the requirements:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-how-to-self-isolate-when-you-travel-to-the-uk/coronavirus-covid-19-how-to-self-isolate-when-you-travel-to-the-uk
For students returning to their home country, please check the entry requirements for the home country: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
China – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/china
Please read the following link: http://www.chinese-embassy.org.uk/eng/visa/notice/t1807646.htm
Hong Kong – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/hong-kong
Advice from the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office is to remind Hong Kong students returning to Hong Kong to follow all guidelines found on Hong Kong’s coronavirus website: https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/high-risk-places.html, to ensure all required documentation such as test result certificate, proof of the lab/clinic, hotel booking etc is obtained in advance before boarding planes.
AEGIS accredited guardianship organisations follow Public Health England and government guidance: Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on isolation for residential educational settings:
Self-isolation:
Most children or young persons, pupils and students in children’s social care, residential special schools and colleges and boarding schools will benefit more from self-isolating at their setting so that their usual support can continue. This could include when:
Boarding schools and mainstream FE college residential provision for students under the age of 18:
If a pupil or student in a boarding school or FE residential college shows symptoms of coronavirus, the setting should ensure that pupils and students self-isolate and are looked after by the residential staff.
Where this is not possible, and non-residential staff need to leave and enter the residential facility, the school or the manager of the accommodation should operate a staff rota that minimises the risk of transmission by keeping the same staff together with the same pupils as far as that is possible.
Settings will need to ensure that the arrangements for oversight of pupils and students in isolation protect the safety and welfare of all children and staff.
You will need to put in place arrangements to bring meals and other essential commodities to the areas where self-isolation is occurring.”
Host families are not in a position to take over the care of students with suspected COVID-19.
Schools also follow Public Health England advice and that of the Safe Schools UK and BSA Charters and provide isolation on school premises for such students.
In the event of a school closure:
In the event of a prolonged school closure, My Guardians would continue to follow the advice of the Department for Education and Public Health England.
The procedure for guardianship organisations is set out below.
Healthy students must ultimately and as soon as is practicable either:
My Guardians will support the student’s forward planning, providing they have not been to, come from or had contact with anyone from an affected area, by providing host family accommodation for healthy students, while they make alternative accommodation arrangements. This may be with their regular long-term homestay or with their short-term family.
If there is a school closure and students at the affected school are displaying symptoms and/or awaiting test results for COVID-19, My Guardians are unable to accommodate these students in host families, due to the risk to the host family and wider communities. Any such student will need to remain within the school’s isolation provision, until they receive the all-clear, or are admitted to a medical facility. If a student receives a negative test result, My Guardians will then accommodate them as stated above.
If a student develops symptoms after being placed in a homestay and the school is closed, My Guardian will instigate the proper testing and isolation procedures and accommodate the student until they are given the all-clear, or admitted to a medical facility.
If a student develops symptoms during a residential course, the responsibility for the care of the student will remain with the course provider.
Please note that Public Health England has advised carrying out an individual risk assessment and discussion with homestays regarding any hosting arrangements. Hosting arrangements would need to be compliant with any current local guidance for households that might vary depending on local incidence levels.
Currently, students are still classed as part of the household bubble.
Local Restrictions:
England: On 12 October 2020 a three-tiered system of local COVID Alert Levels in England was introduced. For advice on local restrictions please use the postcode checker: https://www.gov.uk/find-coronavirus-local-restrictions
Until Thursday 5 November, the relevant Local Covid Alert Level measures will continue to apply. From Thursday the national restrictions replace the local restrictions. No new areas will move into the Very High restrictions between now and Thursday.
The new measures will apply nationally for four weeks up to Wednesday 2 December: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november
Guidance for schools and guardians regarding national lockdown can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/education-and-childcare-settings-new-national-restrictions-from-5-november-2020 and we would draw your attention to the section relating to boarding schools in particular:
"Residential providers and boarding schools:
Residential providers should support students to reduce travel between home and educational accommodation unless absolutely necessary. Where students normally travel between their boarding school and home during term time for the purpose of education, this is allowed."
Scotland: https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/
Wales: https://gov.wales/local-lockdown
N Ireland: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-regulations-guidance-what-restrictions-mean-you
Q: Can guardians arrange homestay accommodation for healthy students during school holidays?
A: Unless the student was a confirmed case or contact of a confirmed case self-isolating or quarantining following travel from a country where this is required, there is no reason why they should not go to their homestay. If a member of the homestay is self-isolating as a case or contact then this hosting would obviously also not be advised.
Guardianship organisations will work closely with schools to offer clear guidance to students and their parents on the best course of action for the October half term and Christmas holidays 2020. If students remain in the UK and are not able to stay at school, guardianship organisations will be able to assist with accommodation for healthy students.
Q: What happens if a student display symptoms whilst at a homestay provided by an AEGIS accredited guardianship organisation?
A: Host families sign up to a COVID-19 Charter and Policy when taking in students and would continue to care for students who display symptoms whilst at their homes. They would follow medical advice and would liaise closely with the guardianship organisation who would keep the school and overseas parents fully informed of the situation.
Q: If a healthy international border leaves the school at half term or exeat and goes to stay with a homestay, does social distancing need to take place within the family home?
A: Social distancing would not be required within the home.
Q: Mixing of households and the rule of six – how does this affect the hosting of international students?
A: International students are considered part of the family bubble that is hosting them; therefore group size is not limited.
If possible the children being hosted should be from the same school bubble.
Q: Can a healthy international boarding student stay with a homestay during the national lockdown, e.g. for exeat?
A: International borders are able to stay with allocated homestays just as British boarders are able to return home to stay with their families.
Q: If an area goes into local lockdown whilst a student is staying with a homestay family during a school holiday, would they be able to return to boarding school during the lockdown period?
A: There would not be a restriction on movement if they are to attend school.
Q: If a student is at school in a high-risk area, can they still stay with a homestay or must they stay at a boarding school?
A: They would still be able to stay with the homestay.
Useful links:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safe-working-in-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care
DfE coronavirus helpline: Telephone: 0800 046 8687 Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm
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