GUARDIANSHIP REQUIREMENTS

To ensure every student is fully supported while living away from home, a UK-based guardian or close relative is required where parents do not provide day-to-day care during term time. This typically applies where parents live overseas, live more than 2 hours from the school, or are away for extended periods. These arrangements apply to all students, regardless of age, nationality, or visa status, and form an important part of our commitment to student wellbeing and safeguarding.

OUR TRUSTED PROVIDERS

CHOOSING AN ACCREDITED GUARDIAN FOR STUDENT SUPPORT

Where possible, we strongly recommend that families appoint a fully accredited guardianship agency. This means an agency accredited by AEGIS (the Association for the Education and Guardianship of International Students) or fully accredited by the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA), ensuring they meet recognised standards for safeguarding, student care, and service quality (please note that BSA provisional accreditation is not accepted). Accredited providers offer trained staff, established and vetted host family networks, and reliable support in both day-to-day matters and unexpected situations.

The College works closely with a trusted panel of four fully accredited agencies Belgravia Guardians, Bright World Guardianships, Crown International, and UKGuardianship who provide responsive, high-quality support tailored to each family’s needs. These agencies work in partnership with the College and parents to ensure continuity, regular communication, and structured support, promoting each student’s stability, wellbeing, and overall experience. We encourage families to select a guardian from this panel wherever possible.

Guardianship Partners

Guardianship Requirements| Oxford International College (OIC) Brighton - Image-50-50 - OIC

WHAT IS A NOMINATED GUARDIAN OR CLOSE RELATIVE?

A Nominated Guardian or Close Relative is a trusted adult who provides consistent support, guidance and practical assistance to a student while they are studying away from home. They work in partnership with parents and the College to ensure that the student feels safe, settled, and able to focus on their personal and academic development.

They act as a reliable point of contact in the UK, providing reassurance, assisting with arrangements during school holidays or emergencies, hosting when required, and offering encouragement as the student settles in and thrives throughout their time at school.

Who can carry out this role?

A fully accredited guardianship agency (accredited by AEGIS or fully accredited by the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA). Please note that BSA provisional accreditation is not accepted.
A close relative living in the UK;
A family friend living in the UK;
A non-accredited guardianship agency.

Guardianship Requirements| Oxford International College (OIC) Brighton - Image-50-50 checklist - OIC

Guardianship Requirements| Oxford International College (OIC) Brighton - Small Text And Image - OIC 1

GUARDIAN APPROVAL AND VETTING REQUIREMENTS

All guardians must be approved by the College prior to the student’s arrival to ensure they meet our safeguarding and suitability requirements. Where a guardian is not provided through a fully accredited agency, additional vetting and associated costs will apply, this service is conducted on our behalf by Belgravia.

VISIT OUR FEES PAGE FOR MORE DETAILS