International Fee-Paying Students - Accommodation Policy
INTRODUCTION
This policy details the procedures to follow when an International Fee-Paying Student is living with a Homestay/Designated Caregiver while studying at Cobham Intermediate School.
Cobham Intermediate School undertakes to comply with the accommodation provisions set out in Part 6 of the Ministry of Education Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students (revised 2010). The categories of accommodation that will be accepted by the school are:
- Living with a parent
- Living with a designated caregiver
- Living in a homestay.
OBJECTIVES
- To oversee that the living environment is suitable and conducive to study and provides a safe and supportive home life.
- To involve the residential carer in the welfare of a student away from the student’s family and home country.
- To assist the student to successfully integrate into the New Zealand lifestyle.
- To work towards the overseas parents’ peace of mind knowing that the student is well cared for and happy in New Zealand.
GUIDELINES
- Cobham Intermediate School may arrange accommodation for International Students.
- Cobham Intermediate School may make use of accommodation agents to organise and monitor student accommodation according to the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students (revised 2010).
- Students under 18 years will not be permitted to rent a flat/room/house/apartment or live on their own.
- All accommodation queries and issues will be dealt with initially by the designated person/unit for accommodation. Pastoral care issues or concerns arising from accommodation arrangements will be referred to the appropriate pastoral care person/unit.
- For each student, the full name, current address, contact phone number, occupation and relationship to student of the residential caregiver will be held.
- Any serious concerns relating to accommodation will be reported to the Code Administrator.
- Any accommodation to be used by international students will have:
- An on-site assessment to determine that living conditions are of an acceptable standard.
- An assessment to determine that the accommodation type is not a boarding establishment, if the student is in a homestay or has a designated caregiver.
- An assessment of the residential carer’s suitability and whether they will provide a safe physical and emotional environment.
- Each student will be interviewed each term to ensure that their accommodation is suitable.
- All accommodation residences will be visited at least twice yearly to ensure that they remain suitable.
- Police vetting will be carried out on all persons aged 18 years and over living in a homestay, boarding establishment or designated caregiver accommodation used by a student.
- Cobham Intermediate School will conduct follow up visits if there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the accommodation has become unsuitable.
- Parents of each student living with a homestay caregiver are required to sign an indemnity document stating that the parents have selected the accommodation for their child. The relationship between the student and the homestay parent will be commented on and the homestay checklist form completed.
- Parents of each student living with a designated caregiver are required to sign an indemnity document stating that the designated caregiver is a relative or close family friend and that the parents have selected the accommodation for their child, subject to Cobham Intermediate Schoolapproving the accommodation. The relationship between the designated caregiver and student’s parents will be checked to confirm that they are a bona fide relative or parent’s friend.
- On or before enrolment, Cobham Intermediate School will meet and establish communication with the caregiver.
- Cobham Intermediate will ensure the student has regular contact with his/her parent/s.
- Cobham Intermediate School will be responsible for:
- Providing a 24/7 emergency contact person for problems with accommodation.
- Monitoring and approving all accommodation.
- Providing information and support for homestay carers.
- Recording the results of all accommodation checks.
- Recording the results of all student interviews.
- Providing facilities for the student to contact their natural parents if necessary.
- Cobham Intermediate School will expect all residential caregivers to:
- Provide a safe and friendly living and studying environment.
- Provide day to day care including:
- 3 meals a day and access to snacks
- own room
- bed and bedding
- study desk and chair
- adequate bedroom furniture to store clothes, books, etc.
- lamp and adequate lighting
- adequate heating
- transport arrangements to and from school
- bathing/showering/bathroom access
- laundry
- Treat the student with respect.
- Make the student feel comfortable and part of the family.
- Notify the school if there are any changes or additions to the household.
- Notify the school immediately if there are any problems with the student, e.g. medical condition, misconduct.
- Notify the school immediately if the student seems very homesick or depressed.
- Look after the student in their home to the best of their ability.
- Provide the facilities for the student to make regular contact with his/her parent/s.
- Caregivers will not be expected to:
- Provide a free internet connection for the student.
- Pay for toll or mobile phone calls.
- Cook special food.
- Insure the student’s goods or pay for property the student damages or loses.
- Offer accommodation to visiting friends or relatives.
- Comply with unreasonable requests.
View Policy in Adobe Acrobat PDF format
Chairperson: Alan Grey
Approval Date: 30 May 2011
Review Date: May 2012