Child Protection Policy

Language Travel UK is committed to protecting children from harm. We believe that every child has the right to be safe, to be treated with respect, and to be protected from all forms of abuse, exploitation, and neglect.

This Child Protection Policy sits alongside our Safeguarding Policy and should be read in conjunction with it. In any conflict between the two, the more protective standard shall apply.

This policy is informed by and complies with:

• Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) — statutory guidance
• Keeping Children Safe in Education (2023) — for school group contexts
• The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
• UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 (special category data for minors)
• Disclosure and Barring Service Code of Practice

For all students under 18, Language Travel UK requires the following consent from a parent or legal guardian before the student's arrival:

• Consent to share the student's personal data with the assigned host family
• Emergency medical consent form, including details of any conditions, allergies, or medications
• Consent to emergency medical treatment if the parent/guardian cannot be reached
• Acknowledgement of the Guest Agreement and this Child Protection Policy
• Designated emergency contact (minimum two contacts with different phone numbers)

For school group bookings, these consents are collected by the group leader on behalf of all students and submitted to Language Travel UK prior to departure.

Hosts receiving minor students have a duty of care during the student's time in the home. This includes:

• Ensuring the student is safe, warm, and fed at all times
• Being aware of the student's whereabouts when they are in the host's care
• Not leaving a minor student alone overnight without prior written agreement from the parent/guardian
• Not transporting a minor in a vehicle without a valid licence, insurance, and appropriate seating
• Not administering medication to a minor except in a documented, pre-agreed emergency protocol
• Immediately reporting to Language Travel UK any illness, accident, or welfare concern
• Not sharing any photographs or personal information about a student on social media or with third parties

The following conduct by any host, staff member, or contractor is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate removal from the platform and, where appropriate, referral to the police or DBS:

• Any form of physical punishment or restraint of a minor
• Any sexual conduct or communication with a minor
• Supplying alcohol or any controlled substance to a minor
• Encouraging or permitting a minor to engage in any illegal activity
• Using a minor's image for commercial purposes without explicit written parental consent
• Accessing a minor's personal communications, diary, or belongings without their consent
• Forming a romantic or sexual relationship with any student on the platform, regardless of age

For stays of 2 weeks or longer, Language Travel UK will conduct a minimum of one welfare check with the student directly (via phone, video call, or in person) during the stay, in addition to the standard host check-in.

For school group placements, a welfare review is carried out at the end of the first week, with a final debrief before the group departs.

Any allegation of abuse or inappropriate conduct against a host or Language Travel UK staff member must be reported to the DSL immediately. The DSL will:

• Remove the student from the host's care if there is any immediate risk
• Notify the parent or guardian as soon as practicable
• Refer the matter to the police and/or local authority children's services where required
• Make a referral to the DBS where the allegation meets the referral criteria
• Suspend the host's account pending investigation

Language Travel UK will cooperate fully with any statutory investigation. Records of all allegations and actions taken will be retained securely for a minimum of 10 years.

Anyone who has a concern about a child's welfare or about the conduct of a host or staff member is encouraged to report it. Reports can be made anonymously to our DSL at admin@languagetravel.co.uk or directly to the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000.

No person who reports a concern in good faith will be penalised for doing so.

This policy is reviewed annually and following any significant safeguarding incident. It is ratified by senior leadership and made publicly available on the platform.