Dublin homestay guidelines 2016

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Dublin Homestay Guidelines


CONTENTS

03 General Information 03 03 03 03 03 03 03 04 04 04 04 04 04

Frances King The Accommodation Department Homestay Categories Bookings Teenager Programme Arrivals Cancellation of a booking by a host Cancellation/curtailment of a booking by a student Payments Booking extensions Tax liability Insurance Problems and Emergencies

05 The student in your home 05 05 05 06 06 06 06 06 07 07 07 08 08 08 08 08 09 09 09 10 10

The welcome Number of students Change of details Providing information to the student The house and cleanliness Keys Heating The student’s room Bathroom Telephone and Internet Laundry Use of Kitchen Friends Pets Family life Meals Staying out Holidays Welfare Safety Hosting under-18s (Safeguarding Guidelines)

12 Prices 13 The Homestay Contract


FRANCES KING

Frances King School of English was established in 1973 and is now one of the largest language schools in London. We have two centres in Kensington which are open year-round, as well as a summer centre in Belgravia for families. We endeavour to have the same level of success with our new centre in Dublin, welcoming students all over the world. We aim for excellence in our courses, services and accommodation. For students who require it, homestay accommodation is an integral part of the Frances King experience. We value all of our homestay providers very highly and greatly appreciate the diff erence that they make to the student’s stay in Dublin.

THE ACCOMMODATION DEPARTMENT

The Homestay Accommodation Department is open between 9.00 am and 5pm Monday to Friday and is run by Giuliana Tricoli and Rebeca Castro. You can contact them on 014866000 about bookings, availability dates, cancellations, changes, arrival times and any problems or concerns that you may have regarding students. There is an answer phone if no one is available to answer your call: please be patient if your call is not answered immediately. Our Homestay Inspectors is Sharon Moylan. She is very experienced hosts herself.

HOMESTAY CATEGORIES

We offer three different categories of accommodation in our brochure: Standard Standard homestays offer good homes and food provided by kind hosts who live in convenient

locations for our schools. Standard homestays are in south of Dublin. Travel time to school will range from 20 to approximately 40 minutes for all Standard homestays. Premium Our Premium category exceeds the above criteria, with homes in particularly good areas, with well-presented bedrooms and bathroom facilities and a high standard of cooking. There is a supplement for the provision of en-suite/private bathroom facilities. Premium homestays are in Dublin 2, 4, 6,6W and some parts of County Dublin South. Travel time to the school should not exceed 30 minutes. Deluxe This is generally only available for students booking One-toOne or Professional courses. We guarantee that a Deluxe host will have a private bathroom for students and will have accommodation of a very high standard. Our Deluxe homestays are in Dublin 2, 4, 6, 6W and some parts of County Dublin South. Travel time to school should not exceed 30 minutes. Our Inspectors will determine the appropriate category of your homestay. In order to maximise booking potential, some hosts will accept two bands of accommodation. For instance, they will be categorised as Premium but will accept Standard and Premium bookings.

TEENAGER PROGRAMME Frances King School of English runs each summer a Teenager Programme in Dalkey for 6 weeks from the last Sunday of June. Young international English learners from 13 to 17 years old will attend courses in the buildings of Loreto Abbey and will stay in host families. This is not only a great opportunity for

the students who will be able to understand and learn the Irish life style from a authentic prospective but also, they will bring with them knowledge of different cultures and backgrounds which you and your children will be in contact with and experience a unique summer. Only hosts who are based in Dalkey maximum 30 minutes walking distance to Loreto abbey school are eligible for this programme. Please ask Giuliana or Rebeca for futher details.

BOOKINGS

We will normally contact you by Text messages or emails to discuss and offer you a booking. Brief details of the student are given verbally. In addition to this, any medical problems, allergies or dietary requirements will be provided. If the booking is accepted, a written confirmation will follow.

ARRIVALS

We make every effort to advise you of a student’s arrival time. However, if there are changes/ delays, the student will be told to contact you directly by telephone. Before arrival, the student is given their host’s name, address and contact details. Hosts are not expected to meet students at airports. The school offers a transfer service: students should be referred to the school for further details if they ask you about this.

CANCELLATION OF A BOOKING BY A HOST

When accepting a booking from us, please be aware that we then enter into a contractual agreement with a student or agent. Although we understand that occasionally hosts have to cancel due to emergencies, we Dublin Homestay Guidelines

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do not expect our hosts to cancel (even with notice), unless it is absolutely unavoidable. A cancellation not only involves extensive administration for us, but it damages our relationship with our students and agents. Changes can also negatively affect a student’s Dublin experience prior to arrival. CANCELLATION/ CURTAILMENT OF A BOOKING BY THE STUDENT If a student cancels the accommodation we have booked with you, we will notify you as soon as possible and place you on top priority for a replacement (subject to matching criteria). Should the cancellation occur less than one week prior to the booked arrival date, you will normally be paid for the fi rst week of the student’s stay. If we are able to replace the booking for the same arrival date, you will be paid for the new student only. The one-week notice period will be honoured if a student fails to arrive without having given prior notice (noshow). However, please note that the one-week notice period is not guaranteed if a student fails to arrive as a result of force majeure (i.e. an unexpected or uncontrollable event caused by war, strike, riots or a natural disaster such as hurricane, fl ooding, earthquake etc.) If a student asks you to cut short their stay, please contact our offi ce immediately. Our terms and conditions are designed to protect hosts from the inconvenience of a student leaving at short notice. The student is normally expected to give one week’s notice to Frances King before leaving in order to avoid penalty. We 4

Dublin Homestay Guidelines

make an exception to this rule when a student leaves as a result of a complaint about the accommodation, in which case we reserve the right to move the student without the one-week notice period.

PAYMENTS

Payments are made by the school by bank transfer. These transfers will appear on your bank statements as payments from ‘Business Education’ Frances King is a trading name of Business Education. Payments are made 2 weeks in arrears and the funds are transferred into your bank account on a Friday. Under no circumstances should you speak to the student, their parent(s) or their agent(s) regarding payment.

BOOKING EXTENSIONS

If a student tells you that he/ she wishes to extend their stay with you, please ask the student to arrange this with our office. We are under obligation to pay you only for the period of stay booked and confi rmed by us. Only extensions of stay authorised by Frances King will be paid to our hosts.

DIRECT PAYMENTS & CONFIDENTIALITY

Under no circumstances should you accept payment directly from a student or discuss your rates of pay and arrangements with Frances King. This is a serious breach of our contract. Please refer any students who enquire about payment to our office.

TAX LIABILITY

It is the host’s responsibility to

meet any tax liability incurred as a result of hosting Frances King students. Please contact your nearest Tax office for further details.

INSURANCE

Frances King is not responsible for loss or damage to the property of either yourself or your student(s). You are recommended to check with your home contents insurance provider if your cover extends to paying guests. You may want to consider purchasing public liability insurance.

PROBLEMS & EMERGENCIES

In case of any difficulty with a student, which you cannot resolve yourself, please call us in the office or email us. We want you to enjoy hosting our students and we are here to help you if there is a problem. We may be able to assist by speaking directly to the student; possibly in his or her own language. We expect our hosts to be patient with their student guests – please bear in mind that sometimes what seems to be a big issue, is the result of a cultural difference or misunderstanding or language barrier. The emergency number for the school is: 0834502204. This number should be used during the weekend if you have any serious concerns about your student or if you have an urgent query about their arrival. You may also use this number outside of office hours Monday to Friday for the same reasons.


serious breach of the ACELSon our d Students usually register at 8.00 (such as afternoon or Family change your details am on a Monday morning at our regulations. tabase. Failure to do this cou The homestay experience can courses). Arrival instructions are omestay experience can be centre at 26 Merrion Square sent to students prior to arrival. result in our placing a studen be tremendously rewarding North. However, there are diff OF DETAILS endously rewarding both for both parties. Afor really warm Please check their documents CHANGE with you who may have matc erent arrangements over the s. Awelcome really warm welcome description of your will create a lasting withsummer them ifperiod they and arefor not sure of Should yourtheoriginal details but may some accommodation change in any impression. Bear in mind that eate a lasting impression. courses (such as afternoon or your(such newas, ones whatsoever if you(such a some students be away what to do. It is important that waymatch in mind that somemay students Teenager Programme). Arrival requesting a home without p acquired a pet or made from their families for the first students arrive promptly to be have instructions are sent to students be away from their families cant a changes students’ pet is time and may be feeling insecure tested placed and they mustsignifi when newly toacquired priorand to arrival. e firstand time and may be feelor in living areas) it is your anxious. Treat them as youbring their passports with them rooms now residence). This could Please check their documents secure andwish anxious. Treat responsibility to contact us would yourself or a family with them they are not sure of on their first ifday. cause us have to relocate immediately, soto that we can member to be treated on a visit as you would wish yourself what to do. It is important that student, onceonplaced with yo change your details our amilyabroad. member to be treated students arrive promptly to be database. without notice or compensat NUMBER STUDENTS tested andOF placed and they must visit abroad. Failure to do this could result in Misunderstandings may bring their passports with them occasionally occur over culturalTo be classified as a “homestay” our placing a student with you on their first day. In 2013, we launched the Ho differences or language nderstandings may oc- barriers.you must host no more than fourwho may have matched your Portal. The aim of this portal to resolve these students at any one time. It is original details but may not nally Hosts occurshould over try cultural NUMBER OF STUDENTS is to allow to review match your new our oneshosts (such as sympathetically and cheerfully important that you keep this in encesand or try language barriers. a home petsdetails not to appear impatient To be classifi ed as a “homestay” requesting and edit theirwithout personal at all times. If a student s should try to resolve these mind when a newly acquired pet is or judgmental. It is also you must host no more than and preferences, have a look important that the student feel reports placed home athetically and cheerfully threebeing students at any in onea time. It now in residence). This could their payments and bookings ease in the home. Please be withismore important youstudents, keep this inwecause us to have to relocate a thanthat four ry notatto appear impatient well once and comment on studen placed with you, aware that it can be upsetting times. If a student will mind needattoallinvestigate further as student, gmental. It is also important without notice or Our compensation. for a student to witness a family feedback. Host Portal c reports being placed in a home would be a serious breach of he student feelhowever at ease in as this with argument, minor, more than three students, be accessed through the sch the we British Council regulations. ome.they Please aware thatwhat is may be not understand will need to investigate website (click on the link belo being said. for a student further as this would be a be upsetting Dublin Homestay Guidelines 5 ness a family argument, CHANGE OF DETAILS https://hosts.francesking.com

THE WELCOME WELCOME


PROVIDING INFORMATION

PROVIDING TO THE STUDENT NFORMATION TO THE Hosts are expected to assist STUDENT students upon arrival and

THE HOUSE &

THE HOUSE & CLEANLINESS CLEANLINESS

Students must be allowed to

Students must beareas allowed use all common of theto use all common areas house in the same wayof asthe any familyinmember. house the same way as any Common areas, as well as the family member.

them with Hostsprovide are expected to information assist suchupon as how to get to their students arrival and proschool by public transport. vide them with information such kitchen and bathrooms, should This includes explaining as how to get to their schoolwhere by be kept very clean. find the nearest train station or Common areas, as Please well as the publictotransport. ensure that your home is always bus stop and how to purchase kitchen and bathrooms, should This includes explaining where clean and tidy, while hosting a a Leap Card. If they are long be kept very clean. Please eno findterm the students, nearest underground, student. please ask sure that your home is always rain station bus them toor talk to stop Clientand Services clean and tidy, while hosting a how to travel card. onpurchase Monday toa receive more KEYS information about student leap student. Students must be provided Other card. information, which should with their own door key, which Other information, be offered, includes: which should KEYS should be returned to you on

be offered, includes: the day of departure. Students Students must be provided � Directions to shops, the Directions to shops, the aged over 18 must allowed with their own door be key, which nearest supermarket, nearest supermarket, chemist, to come and go as they please should be returned to you on chemist, post offi ce, bank, library and but are expected to do so post office, bank, library and the day of departure. Students quietly, particularly late at night. leisure centre.centre. leisure aged over 18 must be allowed about family, to come and go as they please How� toInformation register with theyour local HEATING such as breakfast and dinner doctor (for long stay students). but are expected to do so quiet times, laundry use, bathroom Adequate heating should be ly, particularly late at night. Information about family, schedules in your the morning, provided in the student’s room such askitchen breakfast and dinner use etc. and throughout the home (at no times, use, bathroom Anylaundry “rules” should be explained HEATING charge to the student). Many in a positive manner so as not to students who come from schedules in the morning, Adequate heating should be offend. kitchen use etc. warmer climates feel the cold provided in the student’s room

Any6 “rules” be Dublinshould Homestay Guidelines explained in a positive manner

and throughout the home (at no

and are not used to the heating switched off off during the being switched during thenight. You You maymay need to to offoffer er the stunight. need dent an extra blanket or or duvet. the student an extra blanket duvet.

THE STUDENT’S ROOM

THE STUDENT’S ROOM No more than two students Noshould more than two students be accommodated in should be accommodated in one private room and they must one private room and they must be booked by Frances King as be booked by Frances King as a twin. is NOT acceptable a twin. It isItNOT acceptable students to share forfor ourour students to share with with strangers to whom strangers to whom you you are are letting a bed bedfrom fromanother another source. letting source.

The room must be of a reasona-

The of aHousing Act bleroom sizemust (The be 1986 reasonable size (The 1986 requires bedrooms to be a minHousing Act requires bedrooms imum of 70 sq. ft. for one adult to be a minimum of 70 sq. ft. for and 110and sq.110 ft. sq. for two one adult ft. foradults). two adults).

Each room must be well decorated andmust maintained Each room be well with good decorated and maintained with lighting including a bedside good lighting including a bedside lamp, a carpet or rug, curtains lamp, a carpet or rug, curtains or blinds at windows (windowor blinds at windows less rooms are not acceptable), (windowless rooms are not a wardrobe, storage space acceptable), a wardrobe, such as a chest storage space such of as drawers, a chest a bedside table, a desk or writing table with chair and a mirror.


of drawers, a bedside table, a desk or writing table with chair and a mirror. Theand room should the student’s use not for the student’s exclusive ntain be any items belonging to use and storage space should e family. be empty for the student’s use and not contain any items belonging to the family. udents are expected to keep

eir own room tidy but they are Students expected to keep t expected toare clean it. The their own room tidy but they are om should be cleaned once a not expected to clean it. The ek byroom the should host. Please en-once a be cleaned re youweek discuss by theyour host.cleaning Please ensure you discuss your cleaning hedule with the student so with the student so at theyschedule are aware of the need that they are aware of the need tidy their room in order for to tidy their room in order for u to clean you toproperly. clean properly.

calls from their family abroad, especially in the case of an Bathrooms should be kept very emergency. Hosts are not expected to al edclean. (at no costhottowater the student). Soap, and toilet Hosts may wish to ask the paper should always be a bin for students to make outgoing c You should also provide student to advise family not provided (at no to the sanitary Internetbefore access is frequently the disposal of cost feminine to telephone or after a student). quested and protection. The student should certain time each daystudents so as not do ap You should also provide a bin for family’s sleep. ciatethe being able to retrieve a not expected to clean the to disturb thebe disposal of feminine sanitary Hosts are not expected to allow If th send emails if possible. bathroom should leave protection.but Thethey student should students to make outgoing calls. not available, you are advise it not tidybe after use. to clean the expected Internet access is frequently bathroom but they should leave directand thestudents student requested doto the nea it tidy after use. Internet café. The host is responsible for pro- appreciate being able to retrieve and send emails if possible. viding the student with towels, The host is responsible for is not you are doavailable, not accept responsib which should be changed and If thisWe providing the student with advised to direct the student to for any viruses, loss of data o laundered by the host, towels, which should be once a the nearest Internet café. changed and laundered by the malfunction of computer har week. host, once a week. ware underresponsibility any circumstanc We do not accept You are recommended to agree for any viruses, loss of data or You are recommended to agree malfunction of computer a abathroom schedulewith with LAUNDRY bathroom schedule thethe hardware under any student afterarrival, arrival, student soon soon after if if Hosts should allow the stude circumstances. thereare are several several people using there people using use of a washing machine on thebathroom bathroom during times. the duringbusy busy times.

BATHROOM

Bedwhich linen, which is provided d linen, is provided by the host, must be spotlessly the host, must be spotlessand in good repair. clean clean and in good repair. Sheets and pillowcases must be eets and pillowcases mustweekly be changed and laundered LAUNDRY a week or do the student’s angedbyand laundered weekly the host. free the of charge. should allow student The lo TELEPHONE & INTERNET Hostslaundry A student’s privacy must be the host. TELEPHONE & INTERNETuse ofofa an washing machine onceboard iron and ironing

respected and the host should Most students have mobile a week or do student’s and shoul also bethe requested Most students have mobilea not enter the student’s room phones. However, if needed, student’s privacy must be relaundry free of charge. The loan except to clean it. Your children phones. be given. if needed, telephoneHowever, must be available for a of an iron and ironing board may ectedorand the host should not pets should never be allowed telephone the studentmust to receive a be available for also be requested and should ter the roomroom. except to student’s enter a student’s reasonable number of incoming the student to receive a reason-be given. USE OF KITCHEN

clean it. Your children or pets ould never be allowed to enter

able number of incoming calls

Dublin Homestay Guidelines

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Hosts are expected to allow


USE OF KITCHEN

Hosts are expected to allow the student to make tea and coffee in the kitchen (within reason). Light use of a kitchen for half board students is appreciated. Students who are permitted to cook are expected to provide all their own ingredients and not help themselves to your food. Please provide a small space in your refrigerator to store their food. Students who are allowed this facility are expected to clean up after use, leaving the kitchen as they found it, and to use the kitchen at times convenient to the host. Students booked on a self-catering basis must have full use of the kitchen with cooking times to be agreed between the host and student.

FRIENDS

Students appreciate being allowed to invite their friends over occasionally but this is entirely at your discretion. Students do not have an automatic right to bring their friends home and must always ask your permission. You are not expected to let students have their friends or family to stay overnight with them in their room, although some hosts allow this. If you receive such a request, please contact our office.

PETS

Students from some other countries are not always as comfortable with family pets as the average Irish person and your student may be afraid of your pet, at least initially. Pets should NOT be allowed near the table at mealtimes or to jump up on surfaces where food is prepared. 8

Dublin Homestay Guidelines

FAMILY LIFE

Young students expect to be treated as you or a family member would and to be included in as many aspects of family life as possible. Students often like to watch television with their host, even if they have their own TV in the room. Part of being a host is to converse with the student for a reasonable length of time each day so that they can practice their English. Help with homework is appreciated.

MEALS

Students can choose from three different meal plans: self-catering (with use of kitchen) half-board (Monday to Friday and full-board Saturday and Sunday) full-board (breakfast, pack lunch and dinner for seven days) Please remember to read your booking confirmation documents to ensure you understand the meal plan your student has opted for. Some students are used to eating later than the average Irish family. Please discuss meal times soon after the student’s arrival, as there may be a conflict of schedules, which will need resolving. We expect the student to eat at the normal meal-time in the home but we do appreciate any flexibility you can offer. Meals are to be taken with the host and the family. If it is not possible to eat breakfast together due to work commitments, or if you have to be out one evening and not eat your evening meal with them, please explain to the student where to find the ingredients for their breakfast or be sure to

leave a pre-prepared evening meal for them. It is advisable to check with the student shortly after arrival as to whether they have special dietary needs or do not like certain foods. Any special dietary requests will normally have been advised to you at the time of booking. For Vegan/Gluten-free diets, students will be required to pay a supplement of â‚Ź30.00 per week. This supplement will be paid to the host by the school. Breakfast Hosts are expected to provide a Continental Breakfast (unless booked as self-catering). Sometimes students arrive in Ireland expecting an Irish (cooked) Breakfast but this is not part of our accommodation offer. The minimum requirement for breakfast consists of: cereal, toast or bread/rolls with butter, marmalade or jam, fruit juice and tea or coffee with fresh milk. Some students appreciate a piece of fruit for breakfast. You could also offer cold ham, cheese or yoghurt. Lunch Pack lunch must consist at least of juice, piece of fruit & sandwich. Dinner Dinner should consist of a substantial cooked meal, consisting of a main course of *meat or fish, with potatoes, pasta or rice and vegetables or salad. This should be followed by fruit or dessert and/or cheese. Many students appreciate bread with their meal. Students are not expected to help inthe kitchen with meal preparation. *Vegetarian meals should include a suitable substitute for the meat or fish.


STAYING OUT

Students aged 18 or over are free to stay out late or even spend the night away from home without the host’s perpermission. mission. They They should, should, however, however, always advise always youadvise if theyyou are if they to going arebegoing late for to be meals late or for meals home arrive or arrive very home late. very Special late. Special rules apply rules forapply students for students under under the agethe of age 18. of Please 18. Please refer to refer to the the Safeguarding Safeguarding Guidelines Guidelines. on page 10.

HOLIDAYS HOLIDAYS

If students want to have a Ifholiday, students want have a they canto pay €50.00 a holiday, they can pay £50.00 week to retain or to leave theira week to retain to leave their luggage at theirorhomestay. This luggage at their homestay. This is only with the prior agreement is with the prior of only the school and theagreement host. of the school and thetime host. DurDuring the student’s away, ing time the the the hoststudent’s is at liberty toaway, let their host is at liberty to let their room room out. out.

WELFARE WELFARE

If you have any worries or If you have any worries or conconcerns cerns about a student staying about a student staying with you (for example if they are with you (for example if they are extremely homesick or appear extremely homesick or appear to be behaving irresponsibly in to be behaving irresponsibly in a way that might threaten their a way that might threaten their personal safety) please contact personal safety) please contact our Student Welfare Officer, our office immediately. We will Ruth Tafla, immediately. We will then either speak to the student then either speak to the student ourselves or discuss your ourselves or discuss your conconcerns with the student’s cerns with the student’s agent agent or parents. or parents. The contact number for our Student Welfare Officer (Ruth Tafla) is: 07501 742 544. Her email address is: ruth.tafla@francesking.com

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SAFETY

Safety is one of our major concerns and all our hosts are required to adhere to the following safety rules, which we may check from time to time: � If you have a gas boiler or any gas appliances, you are required to have a current certifi cate issued by a GASSAFE registered plumber. � You must establish escape routes from your house, in case of fire, for all occupants. � Your electrical wiring must be up-to-date and in good order. � You must have a working smoke alarm and test it regularly. � Keep the routes between bedrooms and exits free from obstructions. � Close the kitchen door at night before you go to bed. � You should be aware of the health and safety regulations with regard to cooking and keeping food. The most important thing is that you must undertake an initial risk assessment and keep a written record of the assessment fi ndings and any measures you have taken to improve fi re safety. You must also keep this under review. Frances King Accommodation staff will do their best to help you with any queries you may have.

HOSTING UNDER-18S

(SAFEGUARDING GUIDELINES)

In Ireland, the law states that people who work with children have to keep them safe. This legal responsibility is referred to as “Duty of Care” – 10

Dublin Homestay Guidelines

adults who work with children as professionals or volunteers have a duty to look after them properly. In accepting to host under-18s, the host bears a joint responsibility with the school in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of their student(s). Please read the enclosed Safeguarding policy for the school. Before an unaccompanied under-18 is placed in homestay accommodation, the main carer in the homestay will be required to complete a Garda check. Subject to a satisfactory clearance, the host will be able to accommodate under-18s. Should the disclosure contain adverse information, the school reserves the right to request a copy of the certificate and a decision will then be made in regards to the host’s suitability to accommodate under-18s. The Garda certificate will need to be renewed once every two years. Students under the age of 16 will only be placed in homestay accommodation if they are part of the teenager programme which takes place in Loreto Abbey Dalkey for 6 weeks from the last Sunday of June to the first Saturday of August. When hosting under-18s, hosts will be required to adhere to a code of practice, as laid out below: � Hosts will be required to accompany the student to the nearest tube/train station or bus stop on the first day of school. � Particular care and attention will be provided in explaining the rules of the household. This includes the use of the

bathroom and kitchen facilities and other common areas. � Under-18s will normally be required to book half-board. The host will ensure that their student is catered for accordingly and is eating well. Arrangements will usually be made by the school for their lunches. Alternatively, we may request packed lunches from the host (further details including rates of pay will be provided at the time of the booking). The host will ensure that the student does not use any electrical appliances in the kitchen or elsewhere in the household unsupervised. � If the host chooses to let their student use their washing machine, the host will supervise the fi rst set of washes to ensure their student understands how to use it correctly. � The host will ensure that under-18s do not have unsupervised contact with students over the age of 18 in their homestay. � The host will monitor the use of the internet in the homestay – a parental block should be put in place to ensure that students do not have access to forbidden material. � The host will implement a curfew (10:00pm between Sunday to Thursday and 12.00pm on Friday and Saturday). If the student is to go out in the evening, the host will be expected to obtain a telephone number or address of where they can be contacted in case of an emergency. If the student does not return home at the allocated


time, the school should be contacted immediately. Out of office hours, the school can be reached on their emergency number: 0834502204. In cases like these, the school will attempt to contact the student at least three times. Failing this, they will try to contact the parent or guardian of the student at least three times. If they are unable to make any contact, the school will agree on a plan of action, the following working day. The host will be kept updated at all times. � The host will notify the school if their student wishes to stay out overnight with friends or arrange their own holidays with friends. In instances like these, written parental consent will need to be obtained by the school. � The host will ensure that their student is attending their classes at school. If the student is likely to be absent from school, the host will notify the offi ce immediately. A copy of the student’s class timetable can be provided if requested. � If the student falls sick, appropriate care and attention should be provided. This may involve accompanying the student to the nearest walkin clinic or emergency care centre. The Student Welfare Officer should be contacted and advised accordingly. � If there are any concerns relating to the welfare of the student (mental and/or emotional), the school will be notified immediately. Both the host and the school will work together sympathetically to resolve any concerns.


PRICES Room type

Price per person per week

Extra night Prices

STANDARD HOMESTAY1 (Half Board Monday to Friday and Full Board Saturday and Sunday) Single Room

€170

€24

Twin Room or Double room (Two students MUST book together)

€160

€23

PREMIUM (Half Board Monday to Friday and Full Board Saturday and Sunday) Single Room

€200

€29

Twin Room or Double room (Two students MUST book together)

€185

€27

Sole use of the bathroom supplement

€22

N/A

DELUXE2 (Half Board Monday to Friday and Full Board Saturday and Sunday) Single Room

€235

€34

Twin Room or Double room (Two students MUST book together)

€220

€31

PRIVATE HOME (Self –catering with use of the kitchen) Single and Twin Room

€150

€21

TEENAGER PROGRAMME In Loreto Abbey School In Dalkey (Breakfast, pack lunch and dinner for seven days Single and Twin Room 1 2

€195

N/A

Standard homestay doesn’t offer the private bathroom supplement. Deluxe homestay always offer the private bathroom.

OTHER SUPPLEMENTS Special Diet supplement: Vegan/Gluten free diets only €30

Christmas Supplement: (Christmas and New Year period only) €25

Prices are per person per week (except for the private bathroom supplement which is per bathroom per week)


The Homestay Contract Frances King operates a Homestay Code of Practice to which all hosts are required to subscribe. This code, outlined below, sets standards nationally for the benefit of both students and hosts. All hosts are required to sign a document agreeing to these conditions. •

The host will welcome the student; make him/her feel at home and part of the family rather than a paying guest. Please ensure that there is an adult available to receive students on their arrival. The host will respect the student’s diff erent cultural background and be sensitive to the particular needs of the student. The host will show due concern for the welfare, safety and security of the student during his/herstay.

The host will encourage the student to speak English as much as possible in the home.

The host will not accommodate students of the same native tongue at the same time unless by prior agreement with the students and their schools. The host will provide a clean and comfortable student room which meets the following physical requirements:

A table or desk and chair for privatestudy.

Adequate hanging and drawer space for clothes.

Change of bed linenweekly.

Change of towelsweekly.

A good supply of blankets.

A laundry service or clearly explained laundry arrangements

A spacious bedroom; naturally lit and adequately equipped.

A proper state of cleanliness and repair throughout the home.

The host will provide a home environment in which the student can carry out his/her English studiesproperly.

The host will provide the student with a balanced diet.

The host will give the student reasonable and regular access to bathroom and laundry facilities.

The host will adhere to the code of practice laid out by the school if hosting under-18s.

• •

The host will maintain close contact with Frances King in order to help resolve any problems that the student may encounter during his/herstay. The host will not exceed three students in ahomestay.

The host will not discuss or take payments from the student or their parent(s).

The host will read and ensure that they are familiar with the contents of the enclosed school Safeguarding policy.

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Consent Form: All hosts must complete the following: I agree to work in accordance with the Code of Practiceof Homestay Providers outlined in the Frances King HomestayContract. Name(s): Signature(s):

Date:

Dublin Homestay Guidelines

13


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