Emergency Response Policy

As an accredited guardian, WHG is well-prepared to act in the event of an emergency. Although we try to plan for every event, situations can arise that are beyond our control. These procedures are in place to assist staff in responding to an emergency.

As well as the Local Guardian, WHG have a 24-hour emergency phone number +44 3458 686 688 which is sent to all of our homestays, parents, students and schools. Between 9am – 5pm UK time, this goes through to our Head Office in Bournemouth. After 5pm and before 9am, the call will be answered by a WHG Director or DSL.

WHG will always act in the best interest of our students and outlined below are responses to specific emergency situations.

How to deal with an emergency

If an emergency take place, the following steps will guide you to the support that you need.

Please note that these are a few examples of situations. The steps above are valid in the case of any emergency that arises.

The Coronavirus outbreak has meant that guardians have had experience of dealing with a global pandemic. With an outbreak of this scale, it is first essential that WHG follows the guidance set out by Public Health England and the UK Government. This guidance must be followed and cannot be superseded by the wishes of an individual or organisation.

In the event of a school closure, WHG will find alternative accommodation for students and inform the host family of any government guidance and possible quarantine. We will keep the school, parents and an agent (if involved) of where the student will stay and give ongoing updates about their return to school or onward travel plans.

Bear in mind that not all host families would be wiling to take a student during an infectious outbreak. This may mean a student will need to travel further than normal to arrive with an appropriate and willing host family.

Understanding that this is the most distressing news for any family, WHG will offer all assistance in communication between all parties, the school, the Police, medical staff, the family, and any other outside agency.

Assistance may include:

WHG is there to assist a student if they are asked to leave the school. As the Educational Guardian, we will need a full report and reason for them being asked to leave.

For a suspension, the Local Guardian will arrange a host family until the date the school decide the student can return to school.

For an expulsion, the student may depart school and return to their home country direct. Depending on flight availability, we may need to arrange short term accommodation in a host family until the next flight can be arranged.

WHG is committed to the equal care for all students, irrespective of the reason they are suspended or expelled.

WHG are well-prepared and experienced in the event of travel disruption. Our dependable transfer companies are very experienced in monitoring flight information and if there are any changes, they will inform us accordingly. If the flight is delayed, it may still be worth travelling to the airport and waiting for the delayed departure. In the event of a flight cancellation, we can accommodate students in a host family until a new flight is arranged. Parents will be kept informed during this process.

Policy Updated
12^thOctober 2022

Policy Review Date
1^stOctober 2023