Specific responses to any of the incidents below should be documented on the critical incident report form. Review the specific response required for each category. Responses assume notification of incident by 24/7 hotline, student, host or other associated party.
The StudentRoomStay Homestay hotline (833-766-6789, ext. 4) should be contacted when a critical incident has occurred. This will allow SRS Homestay executive management to be notified appropriately.
Unless they have been assigned as a Designated Guardian (e.g. as part of the SRS Homestay High School Program or Parent Nominated Homestay), host families are not the legal guardians for participants nor are they legally responsible for the participant they host. The host family-participant relationship is legally termed a “host-student” relationship. This means that host families are expected to give due care to participants but are not legally responsible for them. Natural families always have the final say on matters that affect their children.
1. Death of a Student
- Collect all necessary data from reporting person on death of student form
- Contact SRS Homestay CEO or Operations Manager or duty officer if after hours
- Senior executives should contact family, educational institution and agent personally
- Continue follow-up and record all conversations
- Inventory personal effects, send to natural parents, copy to office\ host family
2. Death of a close family member
- Collect all information and report all details to SRS Homestay office or duty officer if after hours
- SRS Homestay office should verify details
- If natural family did not inform SRS Homestay of the death, corporate executives should contact the family for input as to how student should be informed
- If the student’s natural family requests SRS Homestay to do so, contact host family (or agent) and ask them to inform student of the death
- One way or round-trip transportation for the student is to be arranged by agent or parent if necessary
3. Attempted suicide
- Confirm that medical attention has been received for the Student
- Collect all information and report all details to SRS Homestay office or duty officer if after hours
- Any direct or indirect statements from the participant should be taken at full value.
- Obtain emergency medical services in consultation with SRS Homestay office or duty officer if after hours
- Monitor the need for counseling and maintain contact with those who may need ongoing support
4. Life threatening illness or accident
- Confirm that host or other person has arranged for emergency care e.g. ambulance or travel to emergency room
- Contact SRS Homestay management through hotline support
- SRS Homestay management to contact natural parents immediately with information with contact information on hospital, attending physician, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment
5. Rape or physical assault
- Determine if medical care is required or if student is in a safe place
- Report cases of assault immediately to SRS Homestay corporate or duty officer
- Arrange medical attention
- Arrange rape counseling services
- Inform police if student is a minor; or assist student with police contact
- Assist with informing police if student requests
- Monitor the need for counseling and maintain contact with those who may need ongoing support
6. Sexual molestation\harassment in home
These incidents are often more ambiguous than sexual assault and require investigation by SRS Homestay staff. When reported, the staff member to whom it is reported should in turn report it to SRS Homestay management. It is important to remain calm and non-judgmental, but to acknowledge and accept that the participant’s emotional reaction to the situation is valid, and requires investigation.
- Take information from the Students and ask for them to wait for a call from SRS Homestay
- Remove the Student from the situation immediately
- Have the Student interviewed (preferably by a person of the same gender) to assess whether there was a misinterpretation of events or whether there was an actual and intended impropriety
- Consult with SRS Homestay management on appropriate actions pending the outcome of the participant’s interview
- Ensure confidentiality of all information regarding the incident for the protection of the SRS Homestay participant and host family member
- NOTE: SRS Homestay may need to report suspected cases of abuse to local authorities depending on state law
- Monitor the need for counseling and maintain contact with those who may need ongoing support
7. Student in legal trouble
If a student is arrested or gets into legal trouble, contact SRS Homestay corporate staff or duty officer immediately so they can contact the natural family or agent. It is the natural family’s decision if SRS Homestay should assist in procuring legal counsel. SRS Homestay will not directly hire or pay for this legal counsel – this is the sole responsibility of the natural family.
It should be kept in mind that an individual whom the police seek to interrogate has the right to have legal counsel present during the interrogation and also has the right to remain silent during such interrogation.
8. Mental health crisis
- Talk to the Students regarding their state of mind
- Any direct or indirect statements from the participant should be taken at full value
- Determine if medical services or counselling is required in consultation with SRS Homestay office or duty officer if after hours
- Monitor the need for counseling and ask hosts to pay attention to Student’s behavior
9. Drug or alcohol overdose
- Confirm that host or other person has arranged for emergency care e.g. ambulance or travel to emergency room
- Contact SRS Homestay management through hotline support
- SRS Homestay management to contact natural parents immediately with contact information for the hospital, attending physician, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment
10. Fire/explosion with injuries or significant damage
- Confirm that host or other person has arranged for emergency care e.g. ambulance or travel to emergency room
- Contact SRS Homestay management through hotline support
- SRS Homestay management to contact natural parents immediately with contact information for the hospital, attending physician, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment
11. Natural disasters (local and international), international hostage situation, chemical/radiation, bio-hazard spillage, infectious disease
- Respond to natural parents as soon as possible with factual information
- Students should remain with host families and not leave home
- Regional offices should contact Hosts and Students for status update
- Identify and report any Student or family about whom you do not have information and actions you are taking to secure this information
12. Student was not picked up from airport on arrival.
- Contact SRS Homestay Emergency Number who will assist with airport pick up
- Confirm arrival at host home.
Updated October 15, 2021