About being a host family in Dublin FAQ

DO I NEED GARDA VETTING TO HOST STUDENTS? This is only required if you plan to host students UNDER the age of 18 years. If you are planning to host students under the age of 18 years, you will be required to complete the Garda Vetting Process.  This process involves completing a questionnaire and providing a copy of I.D. (for each person aged 16 and over).  The Garda Vetting Procedure seeks to establish if there is any criminal record or specified information relating to the applicant/s which wo [...]

Should I give a key to the house? The majority of our students are aged over 18 years. They will often socialise with their school friends after class and on some evenings.  Host families usually give their students a key to the house so they can come and go as they wish.  Younger students (15, 16 or 17 years) attend our school as part of a mini stay group.  They are accompanied by group leaders who act as their guardians during the programme.  These younger students are usually given a key to t [...]

WHAT MEALS SHOULD I PROVIDE ? The majority of our students require The Half Board Plan:  A light breakfast and a hot evening meal Monday to Sunday. Lunch should be offered on Saturday and Sunday (if the student is present in the home at lunchtime). If The Full Board Plan is requested: Same as above PLUS a packed school lunch, Monday to Friday. If a packed school lunch is required, this will be notified and agreed with you in advance (at the time of booking). Lunch should be offered on Saturday a [...]

WHAT FACILITIES SHOULD BE PROVIDED ? Central heating and bathroom with bath/ shower which is freely available to the students with hot water every morning and evening. Don't forget to explain how to operate the bathroom facilities as your student/s may not be familiar with the fittings ! The minimum requirements for the bedroom are: A comfortable full size bed. A desk and chair. Adequate storage space for clothes. A bedside lamp. Adequate heating. Bed linen (to be changed weekly). Towels (to be [...]

AIRPORT TRANSFERS ON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: Individual Adult Students: Some students may request an airport pick-up on arrival or a drop-off on departure. In these cases we always employ the services of a specialist transport company to provide the transfer service. Students must pay an extra fee for this type of service and arrangements are usually made well in advance. Other students choose to take a taxi themselves directly to or from your house to the airport. Whichever method the student ch [...]

LAUNDRY FOR STUDENTS: Bed linen and towels are provided by the host families. Our host families would usually cater for about one laundry wash per week per student. Students laundry can be included in the family wash. Students are advised that you will not hand-wash clothes, or be responsible for delicate clothes, heavy jumpers etc. Dry cleaning is also not normally provided. [...]

THE MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES In general, our host families must provide a bed for the night, some meals every day and a safe and supportive environment for the student to live in during their stay. The student should be warmly welcomed into the family household and treated as a member of the family for the duration of the visit. You should always consider the student’s welfare, safety and security both inside the home and outside the home. You should encourage the student to speak English as much a [...]