Guardianship
Under the British law and Irish law (the Children Acts 1980 & 1989), every student under the age of 16 who are receiving full-time education for more than 12 weeks must have a legally appointed guardian. Although not required by law, most boarding schools still require a guardian until students reach the age of 18.
Guardian’s Responsibility
Relatives as Guardian
If you have a relative (for example, the child’s uncle or aunt) living in the UK, they might be able to act on the parents’ behalf and take care of the child during school holidays and exeat weekends. Generally, they require a guardian to be UK citizen over the age of 25, and not an older brother or sister, or a resident in student accommodation of a university or college in the UK.
Guardianship Company
If there isn’t a relative living in the UK, parents will have to employ guardianship service. These services are very reliable, as households have to go through a series of inspection before they become legally qualified guardians. These households must be clear of criminal records, drug-abuse problems and Pedophilia. Guardianship companies will make home visits to ensure they have enough room and a comfortable environment. Moreover, it is to ensure that guardianship is not the household’s only source of income.
Additional Information for Boarding School