Recognise best practice in the safeguarding of international students with BSA’s School Guardianship Membership Scheme
BSA recognises that international students face unique challenges, including navigating cultural differences and being away from their usual support network. It is therefore imperative that boarding schools work carefully with vetted educational guardians with robust safeguarding practices. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) has also called for a system of licensing and registration of educational guardians for international students in residential schools.
The School Guardianship Membership Scheme is designed to protect and safeguard international students at UK boarding schools. The scheme will work alongside BSA’s existing Certified Guardian Scheme and incorporates the new Family Guardians Scheme (coming soon).
“This new membership is specifically designed for BSA member schools who go beyond the minimum requirements, actively promoting a culture of safety and trust, and offering international students a secure environment where they can thrive academically and personally.” David Walker, Executive Director, Boarding and Director, BSA/TIOB
The scheme promotes the following:
- Safe recruitment and comprehensive training of guardians
- Robust safeguarding policies
- Clear communications with parents and families
- Support mechanisms for students.
Cost
- BSA Members: Free of charge and automatically added to BSA Membership (Member schools can opt-out of the scheme at any time)
- Non-Members: £495
BSA also now offers families, members or close friends who act as guardians but are not registered as such, the opportunity to undergo online safeguarding training and a DBS check for a small fee, giving schools a further tool to ensure peace of mind. Please email bsa@boarding.org.uk for details.
Request for more information
If you would like more information about this scheme, please complete the short form below:
