EnglishGlossary
A dictionary of guardianship: a glossary of the common words, phrases and abbreviations used in UK guardianship and boarding education, each with a clear explanation. International parents are often new to the established UK terminology, and school letters, visa documents and guardianship agreements can be difficult to follow as a result. This page helps you navigate the vocabulary you will meet across our website, UK schools and the official bodies involved in your child's education.
Guardianship Dictionary
AEGIS
The Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students, the leading UK body that inspects and accredits guardianship organisations against strict safeguarding and quality standards. British Guardianship is accredited by AEGIS.
BBSN
The British Boarding Schools' Network, a membership organisation connecting UK boarding schools with trusted agents and guardianship providers. British Guardianship is an Approved Agent Member of BBSN.
Boarding School
A school where students live on site in boarding houses during term time, cared for by houseparents and school staff. UK boarding schools require every international student under 18 to have a UK-based guardian.
British Council
The United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. It promotes UK education worldwide and sets training and quality standards for education agents.
British Guardianship
A UK guardianship company and a dedicated division of Study First Group, providing accredited educational guardianship for international students at UK boarding schools and universities since 2010.
BSA
The Boarding Schools' Association, the membership body for UK boarding schools. Through its certification scheme it recognises guardianship providers that meet its standards of care. British Guardianship holds BSA Certified Guardian status.
Child Student Visa
The UK visa route for students aged 4 to 17 attending an independent school. The application must show suitable care arrangements in the UK, which is where a nominated guardian is usually named.
DBS Check
A criminal record check issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service. An Enhanced DBS check, including the children's barred list, is required for adults who work with or host children, such as host families and local coordinators.
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
The named senior person in a school or guardianship organisation who is responsible for child protection, safeguarding policy and the handling of any concerns raised about a child's welfare. The DSL leads on safeguarding and welfare incidents, liaises with parents, schools, the police and children's services, ensures that records are kept and information is shared lawfully, and oversees emergency placements and risk assessments.
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Deputy DSL)
The person who acts with the full authority of the Designated Safeguarding Lead whenever the DSL is unavailable. The Deputy DSL supports complex cases and maintains the on-call rota and inspector liaison as required.
Educational Guardian
A UK-based adult or organisation appointed by parents to look after their child's welfare and education while the child studies in the UK. An educational guardian attends school meetings, receives reports, arranges accommodation for exeats and holidays, and acts on the parents' behalf in an emergency. This is the service British Guardianship provides.
Exeat
A short break during term time when boarders leave school, typically from Friday afternoon to Sunday evening. International students spend exeat weekends with a vetted host family arranged through their guardian.
Guardianship
The arrangement under which a UK-based guardian takes responsibility for an international student's day-to-day welfare while the parents live overseas. Schools, and in many cases visa requirements, expect a guardianship arrangement to be in place before a student under 18 arrives in the UK.
Half-Term
A short holiday in the middle of each school term, usually around one week, when boarding houses close. Students stay with their host family, travel with their guardian's support, or return home.
Homestay Host
An adult who provides accommodation and care for a student in their own home on a short-term basis. In guardianship the terms homestay host and host family are used largely interchangeably, and the same vetting and safeguarding standards apply to both.
Host Family
A carefully vetted family that welcomes an international student into their home during exeats, half-terms and school holidays. Host families are visited in person, professionally and personally referenced, Enhanced DBS checked and safeguarding trained before any student is placed with them.
LADO
The Local Authority Designated Officer, the council officer responsible for managing allegations against adults who work with or care for children, including school staff, guardianship staff, host families and volunteers. Guardianship organisations refer relevant concerns to the LADO in the student's local area.
Legal Guardian
A person granted formal parental responsibility for a child, normally by a court. An educational guardian is not a legal guardian: parents retain full legal responsibility for their child and appoint the educational guardian to act on their behalf in daily matters.
Local Coordinator
A regional representative of a guardianship organisation who supports students and host families in a particular area. Local coordinators carry out visits, help with local arrangements and are on hand when a student needs assistance close to their school.
Local Safeguarding Partnership (LSP)
The multi-agency partnership in each local authority area, bringing together the council, the police and health services, that sets and oversees safeguarding arrangements for children in that area. Local Safeguarding Partnerships replaced the former Local Safeguarding Children Boards.
Nominated Guardian
The guardian formally named by parents on school and visa paperwork as their child's point of contact in the UK. Schools and UKVI use this term for the person or organisation officially responsible for the student's care arrangements.
Safeguarding
The policies, training, vetting and everyday practices that protect children from harm. In UK education, safeguarding is governed by statutory guidance and applies to schools, guardianship organisations, host families and everyone else who works with children.
Student Visa
The UK visa route for students aged 16 and over studying with a licensed sponsor institution, such as a university or college. Applicants under 18 must still show suitable care arrangements in the UK.
UCAS
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, the central organisation through which applications to UK universities are submitted and managed.
UCAS Registered Centre
An organisation approved by UCAS to manage and submit university applications on behalf of its students. Study First Group, the parent group of British Guardianship, is a UCAS Registered Centre.
UK Agent Quality Framework (AQF)
A British Council-led framework that sets good practice standards for education agents advising international students on study in the UK, covering ethics, training and professional conduct.
UKVI
UK Visas and Immigration, the division of the Home Office responsible for the UK visa system, including the Student and Child Student visa routes used by international students.
