Code of Conduct
Last updated: March 2026. This Code applies to all hosts, staff, contractors, and school group leaders involved in Language Travel UK placements.
1. Purpose
This Code of Conduct sets clear behavioural standards for everyone involved in delivering Language Travel UK placements. It exists to protect the welfare of students — especially those under 18 — and to maintain trust in our platform. Breaches may result in suspension, removal, or referral to statutory authorities.
2. Professional Behaviour
All hosts and staff must behave in a way that is professional, respectful, and appropriate at all times.
✓ Do
- •Treat all students with dignity and respect
- •Maintain appropriate professional boundaries
- •Be consistent, fair, and transparent in your actions
- •Model positive behaviour and values
- •Communicate with students in plain, age-appropriate language
✗ Do Not
- •Use offensive, demeaning, or discriminatory language
- •Treat students differently based on nationality, religion, or any protected characteristic
- •Share personal opinions on controversial political or religious topics
- •Act in a way that could embarrass, intimidate, or demean a student
3. Physical Contact
Physical contact with minor students must be minimal, appropriate, and in a public setting.
✓ Do
- •Offer a handshake or brief pat on the shoulder in a public, visible setting
- •Provide first aid in an emergency
- •Seek verbal agreement before any incidental physical contact
✗ Do Not
- •Hug, kiss, or initiate prolonged physical contact with a minor
- •Enter a student's bedroom without knocking and receiving a verbal response
- •Be alone with a minor in a closed, unobservable room
- •Physically restrain a student except to prevent immediate harm
4. Communication & Social Media
✓ Do
- •Use the Language Travel UK platform messaging system for all pre-booking communication
- •Copy in parents or group leaders when communicating with minors by other means after booking confirmation
- •Keep records of any concerns or incidents
✗ Do Not
- •Follow or connect with students on personal social media accounts
- •Send private messages to a student via WhatsApp, Instagram, or similar
- •Share photos of students without explicit written parental consent
- •Discuss another student's personal information with a student
5. Gifts & Favours
Hosts and staff must not give individual students gifts, money, or favours beyond reasonable hospitality (e.g. occasional treats as part of a shared family activity). Giving personal gifts to a student is a potential grooming indicator and will be treated as a serious concern.
6. Alcohol, Drugs & Medication
✓ Do
- •Administer prescribed medication only with a written medical consent form
- •Store all medications securely and out of reach
- •Report any medication incidents to Language Travel UK and the parent/guardian immediately
✗ Do Not
- •Offer or permit alcohol to any student under 18
- •Use recreational drugs on premises where a student is placed
- •Administer any unprescribed medication to a student
- •Allow guests to bring unknown substances into the host home
7. Reporting Obligations
Everyone covered by this Code has a personal, non-delegable obligation to report:
- Any safeguarding concern or allegation — however minor it may seem
- Any breach of this Code of Conduct by themselves or others
- Any situation in which they feel a student may be at risk
Reports should be made to the DSL at admin@languagetravel.co.uk or, in an emergency, to the police (999).
8. Breaches
A breach of this Code may result in:
- Immediate suspension from the platform pending investigation
- Permanent removal from the platform
- Referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service
- Referral to the police or local authority children's services