For parents
For parents
Sending a child abroad is a big decision. Here is exactly what we do, what it costs and who you will be speaking to.
Start here
Understand guardianship
What a guardian is responsible for and what schools require.
Read moreSee how hosts are checked
DBS* checks, home visits, training and review.
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Elite, Classic, Limited and First Response, side by side.
Read moreRead our safeguarding approach
Who to call, when, and what happens next.
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* The enhanced UK Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks criminal records to help confirm a person’s suitability for work, including overseas applicants.
What others say
Sending my child to England was difficult for me. But with the caring and professional guardianship service offered by Study Links, I felt confident that my child would be ok. They followed academic progress, which was very important to me, and the team were always available by email or telephone.
Due to their professional experience and pragmatism, the team’s care to my daughter was aptly balanced, giving her boundaries while strengthening her independent thinking.
Common questions
What is an educational guardian?
A guardian is the person or organisation parents appoint to take responsibility for their child in the UK. We act on your behalf to look after your child’s wellbeing and academic progress while they are studying here.
Why does my child need a guardian?
UK boarding schools require every international student to have a UK-based educational guardian, and universities require all under 18s to have one too. Your child needs someone responsible for them in school, making sure studies and school life are going well, and out of school, during travel, leave-weekends and holidays.
What does Study Links actually do?
We provide a 24/7 emergency contact number and act quickly if anything goes wrong. We stay in touch with your child, you, your agent and the school. We match your child to a checked, welcoming homestay family for time out of school, arrange safe travel to and from school, homestays and airports, and give advice on studies and next steps.
How should we contact you?
Call us on +44 (0)1274 679710 if you’d like to talk something through (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm UK time), or email office@studylinks.co.uk if that’s more convenient. We’ll make sure your enquiry reaches the right person and respond as quickly as we can.
For emergencies, please always call our dedicated emergency phone number. WhatsApp, WeChat and email are useful for everyday communication, but should not be relied on for urgent support.
Can you provide guardianship at any school or university?
Yes. We provide guardianship throughout the UK, with staff and homestay families around the country so we can reach a student quickly in an emergency.
Can you provide accommodation during the holidays?
Yes. We arrange homestay accommodation during school holidays, and can also arrange holiday camps if you would prefer that.
How do we prepare for our child studying in the UK?
We send parents and students a detailed guide covering everything from packing and phones to school routines and money. As your guardian, we are there to answer the questions the guide does not cover.
What else can you arrange?
Private tutoring, university application advice including Oxbridge, Medicine and Law, UK trips for visiting families, airport chaperones and transfers, homestay accommodation, holiday camps, integration workshops, study skills sessions and conversational English classes. Full details come with registration.
Send us a message
Tell us a little about your situation and we will reply within 2 working days.