SRS Host Family Code of Conduct

Note: This policy is subject to change at any time. Please check all SRS Homestay Policies on a regular basis for updates.

Congratulations on choosing to participate in a Homestay organized by the StudentRoomStay Homestay (SRS Homestay). This Host Family Code of Conduct sets out the guidelines and expectations for behavior that apply to Hosts participating in the SRS Homestay Program, and it should be read together with the SRS Homestay Host Agreement as applicable. The Host Family Standards of Conduct, has been developed by SRS Homestay to ensure the safety and well-being of all students participating in the SRS Homestay (“Program”). All capitalized terms have the same meaning as defined in the agreements, and the terms of the agreements will apply to the extent of any inconsistency with this policy. The Host Family and all individuals over the age of 18 who reside in the Host Family’s home, are required to fully abide by the rules, regulations and standards of conduct set forth herein.

Please read through this policy carefully and contact us at support@studentroomstay.com if you have any questions. It is your responsibility as the Host (as well as any other applicant named on your application form and registered by SRS Homestay as a Host) to ensure all residents in your Home abide by the obligations outlined in this Policy. This includes residents under the age of 18.

SRS Homestay’s Role:

SRS Homestay will take reasonable steps to assist Hosts and Students in the event of an emergency or other issue and will answer any questions you have about SRS Homestay’s services. Students and Hosts have access to 24/7 support through SRS Homestay’s after hours’ emergency line – (833)-766-6789, ext 4.
In keeping with the provisions of the agreements, SRS Homestay is committed to creating positive outcomes for all Homestay participants and may act to remove a Student from a Homestay or take any other action it deems to be in the best interests of the Student, Host or SRS Homestay at any time. SRS Homestay will make every attempt to assist if emergency accommodation is required.
For more information about SRS Homestay Services please see your SRS Homestay Host Agreement (as applicable), visit our website or contact us.

MUTUAL OBLIGATIONS

Both Hosts and Students must:

Treat each other and every other person in the Home in a fair, respectful and polite manner. This means being considerate of other peoples’ feelings and needs and includes things like not touching any person or their personal property without their permission, keeping your environment clean and tidy and saying thank you to someone who does something for you.
Understand that your customs or beliefs may be different to those of your Student. Have an open mind. One of the most important benefits of a Homestay is ‘cultural exchange’ – the chance to learn about someone else’s experiences and values. All participants need to be treated with respect, including when carrying out reasonable cultural or religious practices in the Home. Discrimination of any kind is not acceptable.
Work together to make the Homestay a success. It is very important that both Students and Hosts make an effort to communicate clearly and effectively about important matters and cooperate to resolve any misunderstandings or issues that might arise. It takes contribution from both sides to create a comfortable and enjoyable environment within the Home. Make sure that you provide your Student or Host with current contact details and any other important information about you they should know, and be careful not to share any information you receive with anyone else without the Student or Hosts’ permission.

Host Family Obligations:

General:

Make yourself and your Home available to your Student. You must be a permanent resident of the Home and be available to your Student on a reasonably frequent basis. You must specifically be present at the Home when your Student first arrives or arrange for a trusted friend or family member with a current background check to be present. Your Student should also be able to contact you within reasonable hours.
The Host Family will maintain open communication, by phone, text message, e-mail or in-person as deemed necessary by SRS Homestay, with SRS Homestay Support Staff and/or any other representative of SRS Homestay. The Host Family will respond within 24 hours to all communications received from SRS Homestay Support Staff and/or another representative of StudentRoomStay Homestay. The Host Family will allow SRS Homestay Support Staff, or another representative of StudentRoomStay Homestay to enter the Host Family’s home, with reasonable notice to the Host Family, for the purpose of ensuring or confirming the Student’s well-being and care.
The Host Family will provide the Student with a safe, healthy, caring and loving environment during the Student’s stay in their home. Generally, the Host Family will treat the Student as a member of their family. The Host Family will interact with the Student daily, will encourage the Student to participate in the Host Family’s activities and will treat the Student with kindness and respect. Include your Student in normal activities and help them to learn. Your Student’s privacy is important but you should make a genuine effort to involve them in your Home and community. Be flexible, sensitive and patient when communicating with your Student and use clear, understandable English.
Students are required to abide by the SRS Homestay Student Code of Conduct. A copy of the Student Code of Conduct will be provided to the Host Family prior to the beginning of the Enrollment Period. The Host Family is expected to review and become familiar with the Student Code of Conduct. In the event Host Family becomes aware of any Student violation or potential violation of the Student Code of Conduct, Host Family Agrees to immediately report such incident to the SRS Homestay Support Staff.
The Host Family will not exhibit abusive, aggressive or otherwise inappropriate behavior toward the Student, and will not permit any family members or guests to exhibit such behavior. The Host Family will honor and respect the Student’s privacy.
The Host Family will establish house rules before the Student arrives. Within 72 hours of arrival, the Host Family will provide a home tour and openly communicate with the Student to discuss house and bathroom rules, expectations, and standards of behavior; this may be in addition to the Student Code of Conduct, while the Student is living with the Host Family. Make your Student aware of the layout of the Home, any instructions (for household appliances or amenities such as a pool). The Host Family will ensure that a written copy of the House Rules is available to the Student at all times.
The Student should have internal access to the Home at all times, meaning you must provide a key, security code or other means of entry in case you are not present at the Home at any time.
The Host Family must always reside in the home. Any exceptions must be notified and approved by SRS. The Host Family will ensure that the Student is not unsupervised for more than six hours if 15 years old or younger unless previously approved by SRS Homestay Support Staff; the Student will not be unsupervised for more than twelve hours if 17 years old or younger unless previously approved by SRS Homestay Support Staff. The Student will not be unsupervised overnight if 17 years old or younger under any condition; a High School Student above the age of 18 cannot be left unsupervised overnight without prior approval from SRS and written approval from SRS Homestay.
Hosts must notify SRS Homestay, in advance, of any short-term visitors or new residents so that appropriate checks can be arranged.
No more than two international students may reside in the home, unless approved by SRS Homestay Management; No other international student may reside in the home from another agency or student service provider without prior notification to and approval from SRS Homestay. If you are hosting an international student directly or from another homestay provider, they are not required to obtain clearances, however, you must sight their visa for validity and let SRS Homestay know immediately if you have any concerns.
The Host Family will assist the Student in establishing local contacts with banking institutions, appropriate medical providers, a mobile phone provider, and identify a safe place in case of emergency.
The Host Family will not lend money to the Student, nor accept a loan from a Student. The Host Family will not open any joint account nor make any financial arrangement with the Student the Host Family will not co-sign on any accounts and to never exchange money directly with Students or their and family members. The host family agrees not to discuss financial matters with Students including those related to this agreement.
The Host Family will encourage the Student to limit the duration and frequency of communication with their home-country friends and family to the extent necessary to promote the Student’s successful participation in the Program.
The Host Family will attend all information and orientation sessions and host family gatherings organized by SRS Homestay. If the Host Family will be unable to attend any of these functions or events, then the Host Family will give prior notice to their assigned SRS Homestay Support Staff.
The Host Family will ensure that the Student removes all their belongings at the conclusion of residency. The Host Family will consult with SRS Homestay Support Staff for storage of the Student’s personal belongings. The Host Family will be responsible for recording any discarded or gift items over $600.00 estimated value on their taxes as applicable.
The Host Family must agree to accept personal responsibility for students under the age 18 pertaining to care, support, and protection.

When hosting Students in high school or younger enrolled in a Long-Term School Program:

The Host Family will be assigned an SRS Homestay Support Staff who will assist Student and Host Family in facilitating Student’s participation in the SRS Homestay Program. The Host Family will meet with the SRS Homestay Support Staff at the Host Family’s house three or four times per academic year to discuss matters relating to the Student’s participation in the Program.
Host families agree to monitor the Students whereabouts at all times and provide standard parenting activities such as transportation to and from school, (and to academic and some extracurricular events, and attend parent/teacher meetings, orientations, and other such meetings if agreed upon as part of the student’s placement)
The Host Family will keep SRS Homestay informed of any issues or concerns relating to the Student and will take all reasonable action to ensure and support the Student’s full participation in the Program, including as related to the Student’s enrollment in School. The Host Family will contact the SRS Homestay Support Staff promptly if the Host Family learns that the Student is experiencing academic, emotional or social difficulties.
The Host Family will notify the school and SRS Homestay Support Staff if the Student is going to be late or absent from school; the reason for the tardiness or absence must be provided. Notify SRS Homestay if you believe there has been excessive non-attendance from school.
The Host will never leave the Student under age 18 alone at Home overnight or without an approved adult who has a current background check and notifying SRS Homestay immediately of any overnight visitors who are not permanent residents with the appropriate checks.
The Host will provide SRS Homestay with at least two weeks’ notice if going on holidays without the Student so that a suitable temporary homestay can be arranged.
The Student is prohibited from possessing, consuming and being under the influence of alcohol or tobacco products. The Host Family will not purchase alcohol or tobacco products for the Student nor provide the Student with alcohol or tobacco products of any kind. The Host Family will take reasonable steps to prevent the Student’s access to alcohol and tobacco products in the home.
The host will immediately notify SRS Homestay of any incident or allegation of child abuse - See Sexual Abuse Prevention Policy.

Meals:

If providing meals is part of the placement agreement, provide healthy food for your Student. This means preparing adequate healthy meals in accordance with the agreed meal plan detailed in the placement report, with at least one meal per day consisting of meat/other protein, vegetables and rice/noodles. Ensure you have adequate grocery items for any meals (breakfast or lunch) that your Student may be required to prepare themselves and take the time to show them what to do.

When hosting Students in high school or younger enrolled in a Long Term School Program: The Host Family will provide or ensure the Student has access to three proper and nutritious meals per day. Hosts will work with students to understand their meal preferences and provide a reasonable variety of options for each meal. Breakfast may be self-serve food options, but hosts must work with students to understand how to access and prepare the food items. Lunch on non-school days may be self-serve food options provided by the host. On school days, students can be shown how to pack their own lunch using self-serve food options provided by the host or will purchase lunch at school at their own expense. Hot, home-cooked dinners must be prepared regularly and provided for students each night, with exceptions of restaurant food or leftovers. Leftovers, instant or frozen food is acceptable as an exception but not on a regular basis. The student must always have access to clean, safe drinking water and reasonable, student-preferred nutritious snacks unless food is being regulated for a medical or health reason.

Transportation:

Show your Student around the community. Help your Student to understand the route to and from their Education Provider. If this involves public transport, show them how to buy transport tickets. Make your Student aware of places of interest within the community such as shops, parks and important services such as banks, post offices and local police stations. Also ensure they know the emergency contact number is 911. For further information, please refer to the SRS Homestay Travel Policy.

When hosting Students in high school or younger enrolled in a Long Term School Program (Guardian or Guardian Plus Product previously called Standard or Premium Homestay Product):

The Host Family will arrange the transportation of the Student to and from the airport, at the beginning and conclusion of the Term or otherwise as necessary, in conjunction with the SRS Homestay Support Staff.
The Host Family does not permit the International Students under age 18 to operate any motorized vehicles. SRS Homestay does not permit International Students under age 18 to obtain a United States driver’s permit/license while participating in the SRS Homestay Program.
The host will ensure the Student is not travelling by public transport late at night. Hosts should pick Students up from late-night school events or encourage them to take a taxi. (Please view SRS Homestay Travel Policy for Students in High School or Younger.)

Living Environment:

The home of the Host Family must be equipped with all utilities including heat, hot water, electricity, wireless internet, etc. Help your Student settle into a comfortable and safe Home.
The Host Family will provide the Student with a structurally sound, clean, private bedroom accessible from within the home with a door. The Student should be provided with convenient access to a lockable bathroom and toilet facilities. Suitable bedroom requirements:
a.) Bed (twin bed at minimum including a frame and mattress reasonably new and in good repair). Futons, day beds, air mattresses, and mattresses without frames are not permitted.
b.) The student must be provided with clean and reasonably new appropriate bedding, linens, towels, pillows, etc. in good condition.
c.) Desk and chair (reasonably new and well-kept; presentable)
d.) Dresser or chest of drawers and proper hanging space for clothing
e.) Appropriate, high-quality lighting illuminating the room for study and projects
f.) Comfortably cool/warm depending on the season. *Note: For occasional hosting of short term students in high school and younger, students may share a room but must be provided with separate beds.
The Host Family will provide the Student with access to wireless internet with sufficient bandwidth to support school work and communication apps such as Zoom or FaceTime.
The Host Family will provide the Student with access to a kitchen and living facilities including a washer and dryer and assist them in learning to use the facilities appropriately.
The Host Home must be fitted with working smoke detectors and comply with all local codes and regulations.
The Host Family will not engage in, nor associate with any person related to, the possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs or controlled substances. The Host Family, family members and students will not engage in excessive consumption of alcohol in the presence of or while caring for the Student.
The Host Family will not initiate or participate in any sexually-oriented communications or acts with the Student, and will take reasonable steps to prevent the Student’s access to sexually explicit photographs, written materials, films or other media in the home.
The Host Family will monitor the Student for age appropriate relationships and ensure that the Student under age 18 is not unsupervised behind closed doors with peers of the opposite sex.
The Host Family shall not require the Student to maintain the Host Family home or yard, babysit, cook, prepare family meals, except to the extent which the activity is a part of the family’s typical socialization. The Host Family may require the Student to maintain and clean his/her own belongings and private quarters and to observe reasonable standards of tidiness and cleanliness in common areas within the home.
The Host Family will prohibit any firearms or controlled weapons in the home unless:
a.) The Host Family has obtained the necessary and legal permits to possess the weapon. The Host Family must present such permits to SRS Homestay upon request.
b.) The permit holder has received and attended a Basic Firearms Course and, or equivalent training though a government agency. i.e.; U.S Military or Police Academy
c.) The weapon is maintained unloaded and stored in a locked cabinet, safe, gun vault or storage case that is not accessible to minors in the home, and is secured with either a trigger lock or cable lock.
d.) If relevant, ammunition is stored in a locked location separate from the firearm.
e.) If the Host Family has firearms or controlled weapons, the Host Family must disclose the presence of any firearm or other potentially dangerous objects to the SRS Homestay Support Staff.

Medical Care:

If the Host Family has a reason to believe the Student requires emergency medical care, then the Host Family will promptly take the Student to the nearest hospital or emergency center. If necessary, call 911 for urgent medical attention.
If the Student experiences a minor illness or requires non-emergency medical care, the Host Family will expediently assist the student to make an appointment with a medical or dental provider within the Student’s health insurance network. The host will assist with arranging transportation for the student for medical appointments.
In the event of any emergency involving or impacting the Student, the Host Family will contact the SRS Homestay Support Staff and the main office of SRS Homestay as soon as is practicable. This includes serious illness, injury, or hospitalization; arrest or detention by authorities; a violation of SRS Homestay rules regarding driving, hitchhiking; or any other display of potentially harmful behavior, including, but not limited to, under age alcohol consumption or the use of illegal substances.
For Students under age 18, the Host Parent will keep a copy of Student’s Medical Authorization and Limited Power of Attorney with them at all times.
For Students under age 18, the School may require that the Student undergo a physical examination by a doctor in the United States and receive updated immunizations. The Host Family will assist the Student in coordinating and attending appointments for such examinations and immunizations. Transportation for occasional medical and dental appointments should be arranged and provided by the host family.

Travel and Transportation Policy for Students in High School our Younger

The safety of our students is our top priority. All students in High School and Younger and their host families are required to comply with the SRS Homestay Travel Policy while participating in the Program. Please contact your SRS Homestay Support Staff with any questions.

The Host Family will ensure adequate arrangements are in place for transportation of the Student to and from school and school related activities that contribute to the Student’s engagement with the Program. The Host Family understands and acknowledges that SRS Homestay does not authorize, approve or condone a Student under the age of 18 using third-party ride-sharing services, such as Uber or Lyft, without an adult member of the Host Family present. Unaccompanied students are able to use licensed taxi services provided the travel is otherwise in compliance with the SRS Homestay Travel Policy and in compliance with the policies of the taxi service provider. Depending on the nature of the travel and age of the student, documentation and approval requirements apply.

For students in high school or younger enrolled in the SRS Premium Homestay Program , The Host Family will be responsible for Student’s airport pick-up at the beginning of each Enrollment Period and airport drop-off at the end of each Enrollment Period, as well as up to one airport drop-off and pick-up in the event the Student travels to their home country during Winter break (only applies to the designated airports, and at pre-specified arrival and departure dates and times). The Host Family shall bear all the costs arising out of failure to fulfill this responsibility.

Updated October 15, 2021