FAMILY FRIEND
HOST VERIFICATION SERVICE
When overseas parents wish to nominate a family friend in the UK to provide regular or emergency accommodation for their child, Belgravia Guardians offers a Family Friend Verification Service to help ensure that all UKVI visa and safeguarding requirements are fully met. Contact us to find out how we can support you.
HOST VETTING SERVICE
UKVI compliant
Eligibility & Safeguarding
Process & requirements
Belgravia Guardians offers a Family Friend Verification Service to help ensure that all UKVI visa and safeguarding requirements are fully met. As long as Belgravia Guardians is appointed as the official Nominated Guardian, accommodation with a family friend can be approved—but only after the necessary safeguarding and compliance checks have been completed and verified by our team. Please note that these checks take time and must be started well in advance. We will confirm whether this service is appropriate and feasible in your individual case upon receipt of your application.
- The nominated carer must be aged 18 or over, hold British Citizenship or have settled status in the UK. Please note that many schools require carers to be 25 years or older, so this should be checked on a case-by-case basis
- All members of the household must be free from any relevant criminal offences, as outlined in the Child Student Immigration Rules. Belgravia Guardians will carry out Enhanced DBS checks on every household member aged 16 and above.
- The proposed accommodation must be safe, suitable, and appropriate for hosting a student. It must meet our safeguarding and welfare standards and pass relevant home safety checks.
- The property must be a private residence, not a hotel, hostel, or shared rental arrangement.
Our Family Friend Verification Service depends on the following:
- A completed permission form from the overseas parent or legal guardian, including full details of the proposed family friend.
- Written confirmation from the family friend that they are willing to fully cooperate with Belgravia Guardians and complete all required safeguarding and compliance checks.
- Sufficient notice: to meet UK visa requirements, all checks (including Enhanced DBS screening and a home inspection) must be successfully completed before we can issue a Letter of Undertaking for the visa application. We will assess the feasibility and timeline of completing verification upon receipt of your application.
WHAT DOES VERIFICATION INVOLVE?
As part of the Family Friend Verification process, the following steps are required:
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Completion of an online application form by the nominated carer.
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A DBS check for every household member aged 16 and above, conducted either via the Digital DBS Service or through an in-person ID verification.
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Sight of a valid DBS certificate (issued within the last 3 years) for each household member.
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A face-to-face interview and home inspection carried out by a Belgravia Guardians representative.
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An in-person ID check to verify documents for DBS purposes.
ONGOING SUPPORT
The nominated family friend will have full access to Belgravia Guardians’ 24/7 emergency phone and email support service. Should plans change unexpectedly, our team will step in to arrange alternative safe accommodation or travel as needed, ensuring continuous care and peace of mind for both students and parents.
ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS
If a family friend does not pass our verification check then we will make alternative arrangements.