FAQs

A host family can be:

• A couple living together with or without children
• A single woman living with or without children
• A single man living with his children (we can only place male students here)

(For safeguarding purposes, there must always be a woman in the house for any female students)

Complete the application form. Once the form is completed, we will arrange a home visit with you to assess the accommodation and register yourself with us. Forms must be completed before we can accept you as a host family.

We are looking for Host Families in all areas. Currently, we have Hosts in;

• Catford
• Downham
• Grove Park
• Lee
• Lewisham
• Bromley

We are always expanding, so if you don’t see your area listed here, contact us to find out if we’re planning anything in your area.

We expect you to provide a great service for your guests. A clean bed for each guest is essential. The meals (on full board) usually consists of Continental breakfast, a packed lunch to take with them and a meal in the evening (please ask us if you need more detail). In terms of bathing, please provide clean towels if requested. Above all, our guests choose homestay for the safe and friendly environment, with plenty of conversation and authentic hospitality – if you’re accepted as one of our Host families, we know you have it in you!

A Short Stay (or Mini-Stay) is usually a 2-5 night booking, formed of students visiting from school, accompanied by their teachers. Often, they come via coach. The ages typically range from 13-17. These stays tend to have a central meeting point where the students and teachers meet every morning and return to in the evening. The students are taken to the meeting point by the Host Families. This type of booking is usually Full Board.

A Long Stay (usually a Language Stay) is typically a group of students aged anywhere between 11 and 18 attending a language course, accompanies by their group leaders. These Stays range from 1week to 4 weeks but can be longer. Picking up and dropping off the students on this type of Stay is common, however, we do get independent Long Stays too; they usually have travelcards. This type of booking is also usually Full Board.

Once you are registered as one of our Host Families, we will contact you to confirm your availability for upcoming bookings and send a Confirmation of Booking. If you have already confirmed availability for a set period, we may send you the Confirmation of Booking message automatically. If you are unable to accept any booking, please let us know as soon as possible so we can make alternative arrangements for the guests.

Our South London locations get very busy, and most Host Families have students nearly every week during peak season if they wish – especially if they are very flexible on the type of stay they accept.

We will allocate up to 5 guests per Host Family at any one time, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Yes, providing that;

• You can effectively fulfil your duty as a Host Family;
• They are not the same nationality;
• They are the same gender and
• They are accommodated in a different room.

We’d like to be informed if you are accommodating other students at the same time as students from Silver-A Homestay.

This is the replacement of the CRB Check. The government’s disclosure team carries out criminal record checks that result in DBS certificates being issued to an individual. Employers can then ask to see this certificate to ensure that they are recruiting suitable people into their organisation.

A DBS check can be for any purpose, including employment. The certificate will contain details of convictions and conditional cautions that are considered to be unspent under the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.

More info: (Source)

As you may be accommodating young people and females, it is important that we know you have no criminal record which may affect their safety in your home.

All ages vary from booking to booking. You can ask the ages of the students you’ll be accommodating once we contact you with a booking enquiry. The ages are typically from 13-17.

We have mainly European and Chinese guests, but we have guests coming over from all over the globe.

Short Stay students go via coach or train to visit London attractions or other cities. Language students attend Language schools from Monday Friday and sometimes have excursions at weekend. Occasionally, they have free time on the weekends. Work placement students are placed in a company for work experience. Bed & Breakfast guests are normally here for sightseeing.

Short Stay students under 18 are not allowed out without supervision of an adult unless advised otherwise by Silver-S Homestay. Language students often have evening activities, but you will be advised of the time they are expected to return. Adults have no restrictions and we advise you give them a front door key where possible.

Short Stay guests are out every day, Language students usually have Saturdays on excursion and Sunday varies from group to group. Adult guests do as they please.

Not for Short Stay students or Language students younger than 18. Adults and Long Stay students over 18 may need a key.

Group leaders are generally responsible for students that they come with. Your responsibility is to provide a safe environment in your home. You must not let students out in the evenings alone unless authorised by Silver-A Homestay. If you do, and should anything then happen to them, you will be held responsible.

This will be dependent on the area, age, length of stay, meals required, number of guests per room and type of booking. We will confirm the rate of pay when we first visit you. If at any time you are unsure of how much you’ll be paid, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

We pay by BACS bank transfer. For stays up to 1 week we pay at the end of the stay, typically the day of departure or the day before. For stays over a week, we pay weekly during the stay. For much longer stays, we may pay at monthly intervals. You will be informed of how you’ll be paid if it’s unclear.

Silver-A Homestay is not responsible for loss or damage to the property of either yourself or your guests. However, we will do what we can to come to a resolution that’s fair for everyone involved. We recommended that you check if your home contents insurance covers paying guests.  Accidents can happen at any time, anywhere in the house, and we want you to be prepared. Public liability insurance is also something to consider, although it may not be necessary.

Usually, this is due to miscommunication. However, if the problem cannot be resolved, we may move the student(s) to another Host Family. You will be paid for the accommodation you have provided.

Usually, this is due to miscommunication. However, if the problem cannot be resolved, we may move the student(s) to another Host Family. You will be paid for the accommodation you have provided.

For students from a group, you should contact their group leader, the Silver-A Homestay local organiser or us in the Silver-A Homestay office. For individuals, contact us directly.

For minors, contact their group leader, the Silver-A Homestay local organiser or us in the Silver-A Homestay office. If it is a minor illness, sometimes just a day in bed is enough; contact us if this is difficult for you. If necessary, take them to your doctor. If this is not possible or it is more serious, their group leader will take them to the local hospital.

Do NOT give any medicines to any student – they may have an allergic reaction to it. For any adult, please assist them by taking them to a chemist, doctor, hospital or any other appropriate action. In all instances, please always let us know. A WhatsApp or SMS message (if you can’t get through over the phone) will be enough for us to get back to you. Treat them as you would your own family.

Yes, most of our Host Families do. The bulk of our bookings are Short Stays, meaning the students are out from around 8am and back at 7pm on weekdays. We will discuss with you the most suitable students for your lifestyle.

Most definitely! Although many Hosts like to meet new people and keep the extra stream of income going, some Hosts only accommodate on weekdays and some take breaks between bookings to spend time with their families or other commitments. The choice is completely yours.