YOUR CHILD IS OUR NO.1 PRIORITY

At Guardianship Ireland we care for each child as if they were our own. We act as a bridge between the school and the parent; communicating with both, caring for the child and making practical arrangements, to enable the child to thrive.

We spend time getting to know your child, meeting up with them, staying in contact with them and responding quickly to their needs and your requests.

Guardianship Ireland always acts professionally and fosters genuine friendships with people in our care.

SCHOOLS WE WORK WITH

Dublin: Blackrock College, Willow Park School, Rathdown School, The Kings Hospital, St Columba's College, Alexandra College, Wesley College

Kilkenny: Kilkenny College

Kildare: Clongowes Wood College

Cork: Bandon Grammar School, Midleton College

Westmeath: Wilson's Hospital School

Louth: Dundalk Grammar School

Limerick: Glenstal Abbey School, Villiers Secondary School

Waterford: Newtown School

Sligo: Sligo Grammar School

Tipperary: Rockwell College, Cistercian College, Presentation Secondary School, Ursuline Secondary School

Donegal: The Royal and Prior School

OUR FEES

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Understanding the role of a guardian and choosing the right guardian for your child is challenging so we hope the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions will help you.

Do get in contact if you would like to know more about how we make your child our priority – we are always happy to chat.

WHY DOES MY CHILD NEED AN EDUCATIONAL GUARDIAN

All Irish Public and boarding schools require overseas students, who are in full-time education, to have an Irish based educational guardian in Ireland.

WE DO NOT WANT TO APPOINT A GUARDAIN FOR OUR CHILD?

All public and boarding schools insist that an overseas student must have an Irish based educational guardian even if you don’t want an educational guardian, you are very mature or even over 18 years old.

No matter what your age, maturity, intelligence or experience, people need help from time to time.

Guardianship Ireland team are here for those emergencies.

DOES GAURDIANSHIP OFFER GAURDIANSHIP TO ALL PARTS OF IRELAND?

Yes. Guardianship Ireland is based in the South West of Ireland but provides guardianship for students all over Ireland.

WHO WILL MEET MY CHILD AT THE AIRPORT?

We have a team of Guardianship Ireland drivers for airport collections, and we are able to offer unaccompanied minors a more personal service. We also use local taxi companies for those students who are comfortable with this. (All drivers are police checked.)

HOW OFTEN DOES MY CHILD MEET THERE EDUCATIONAL GUARDIAN?

The number of visits by your educational guardian is based on the guardianship package you choose. Each of our guardianship packages includes a different number of visits. When you choose your educational guardianship package, you choose how many times you want us to meet you. If you need more visits, you could always contact us accordingly.

HOW OFTEN CAN MY CHILD CONTACT THERE EDUCATIONAL GUARDIAN

You can contact your educational guardian any time you need to talk to them on the number we provide you when you apply. Your educational guardian has a 24/7 (WhatsApp/Mobile) number which is available anytime you need them.

WHO IS MY CHILD’S GUARDIAN?

Guardianship Ireland will allocate one of our Regional Guardians to be your child’s guardian. The guardian will liaise with parents, agents, schools, host families and your child on your behalf.

HOW WILL WE KNOW IF OUR CHILD IS OK?

We will keep you, the parents informed of your child's academic progress and any other important matters by being in regular contact with them. Based on your preferred method of contact we could update you either by email or the phone number that you provide when you apply.

HOW OFTEN CAN MY EDUCATIONAL GUARDIAN CONTACT MY CHILD?

WILL MY EDUCATIONAL GUARDIAN ATTEND MY PARENTS EVENING?

If you have chosen our premium service, your educational guardian will attend all your parents’ evenings.

CAN YOU PROVIDE OUR CHILD WITH POCKET MONEY?

We do monitor the child's pocket money if required. In addition, your school will also advise your parents about how much pocket money you should have. We could provide you with pocket money upon the approval of your school/parents out of your holding deposit.

WHERE WILL I LIVE DURING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS?

In case you do not have a plan to go home for your holidays, you will live with a Guardianship Ireland host family which we provide to you based on you and your family’s preferences.

CAN YOU HELP ME FIND A SUITABLE SCHOOL?

Yes! Our partner Munsterhost will look after you. www.munsterhost.ie

CAN MY CHILD STAY IN A HOTEL UNACCOMPANIED?

Schools do not usually permit their students to stay in hotels without an adult present. We uphold this rule.

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CHILD FALLS ILL?

If your child falls ill at school, they seek advice from their school health centre. If your child falls ill whilst staying with a host family, the family would contact their own doctor and arrange for your child to be seen as an emergency patient. If necessary they can also take your child to the local hospital. As guardians, we will ensure that we always give your child the best possible care.

CAN I CHOOSE MY CHILD’S HOST FAMILY?

We will send you host family profiles with photographs of the host family, their house, and information about their interests. From this you can see who might be a good fit for your child. We work very closely with families and students to ensure that we match your child up with a family that would suit them.

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE YOUR HOST FAMILIES?

We interview all host families when they first contact us. If we feel they will be suitable we visit them in their homes, check they meet our criteria and then arrange for them to be police checked. Once they start to host our students we keep in contact with them and visit on a regular basis.

HOW OFTEN WILL THEY STAY WITH A HOST FAMILY?

Your child can stay with a host family for exeat weekends and half term holidays if they are not going home. Some students also stay for the longer holidays if they are not returning to their home country.

CAN MY CHILD STAY WITH RELATIVES OR FRIENDS INSTEAD OF A HOST FAMILY?

Your child can stay with relatives or friends as long as there is an adult over the age of 25 in the house. They are not allowed to stay with a sibling or friends in student accommodation.

CAN MY CHILD CHANGE HOST FAMILY IF THEY ARE NOT HAPPY?

If your child goes to a host family and is not happy there or simply wants to stay in a different area that is not a problem. A number of our students change host families on a regular basis to experience different parts of Ireland and to meet new people.

HOW OFTEN WILL MY CHILD BE VISITED?

Your child will be visited regularly, but the exact nature of these visits depends on the package that your child is signed up to. If your child needs to see their guardian for any reason we can arrange to go and visit them.

WILL THEY HAVE TO SHARE A ROOM?

We prefer that students have their own room. However, some students do like to share if they go to a host family with a friend or sibling, but this would be their choice.

WHO MONITORS MY CHILD’S ACADEMIC PROGRESS?

CAN A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER BE MY CHILDS EDUCATIONAL GUARDIAN?

Your educational guardian must be an Irish resident. In addition, your educational guardian must be available 24/7 in case of an emergency. An educational guardian needs to be available to visit and provide safe accommodation. Your educational guardian should also be in formal, constant contact with your school and offer you suitable academic and pastoral advice.

Friends and relatives may not be Irish residents and may not be available 24/7 and when you need them. They might also not be able to be in day to day contact with your school or have the experience to advise you properly.

YOUR CHILD IS OUR NO.1 PRIORITY

SCHOOLS WE WORK WITH

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

MORE QUESTIONS?