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eici TemI S ASSOCIATION Tip!
FOR THE EDUCATION & GUARDIANSHIP
OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
what does it mean
to be accredited?
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Accreditation is crucial for any organisation
in any field. The stamp of approval from an
impartial, external governing body assures
that the organisation under scrutiny is doing
things properly.
International parents and students are asked
to choose a family friend or a Guardianship
Organisation when they enrol their child into
a UK boarding school. We want parents to
understand the importance of choosing an
AEGIS-accredited guardian and what that
accreditation actually means. They should be
aware of the risk they may take if they choose
otherwise.
With so many Guardianship Organisations to
choose from, AEGIS continues to do their best
to help parents by offering an Assessment and
Inspection framework in order to assess the
quality of UK guardianship organisations.
We at Bright World know what it means to be
accredited, the question now is: what does it
mean to you?
Accreditation Process & Assessment Framework
During an AEGIS inspection, which takes place
every four years, the following categories are the
main areas that are scrutinised by independent
OFSTED and highly-trained inspectors:
• Legal paperwork, proper contracts and
insurance These are here to protect parents
and organisations alike. It is important that
everything has been thought through and the
guardianship organisations, their drivers and
host families’ obligations and responsibilities
are clear.
• Systematic information sharing It is very
important that all parties involved with taking
care of children are fully aware of what is
happening, when and by who at all times. This
includes sharing vital medical information,
exact travel and accommodation plans for
holidays and the proof that children will be
properly supervised at all times.
• Screening of employees and host families
If you choose an unaccredited guardian you
cannot be sure that vital criminal record
checks and professional and personal
references have been obtained, houses have
been inspected and re-inspected regularly.
(Bright World also screens all our drivers).
• Training It is very important that all staff
in a Guardianship Organisation have had
child protection training and know what to
do in an emergency situation. It is also vital
that organisations follow Safer Recruitment
guidelines when employing people who will
be looking after children.
• Feedback from current and past clients
AEGIS don’t just take our word for it, they
conduct interviews with students, schools
and host families and send questionnaires to
overseas parents and schools to check on the
quality of our service and training.
Choosing an AEGIS accredited guardianship
organisation means that parents can be sure they
are doing all they can to keep their child safe.
“Becoming a
fully accredited member
of AEGIS involves a rigorous
inspection process. Accreditation
will only be granted once the
inspectors are satisfied that the
Guardianship Organisation meets all
of the AEGIS inspection criteria and
standards.”
Yasemin Wigglesworth
Executive Officer, AEGIS