Need host family in Edinburgh

[Borridge]

My Dd 16 will be at George Watson’s college for a year starting August.

Can anyone recommend how to find a host family?

The school has recommended homestay but I would rather the money goes directly to a family.

Tia

Do they not have their own boarding house? It's alot of responsibility for an individual family to take on without the support of a company.

Thanks, helpfulperson! They don’t have a boarding house.
What support does the company give the host family? A guarantee that they can “return “ the child if things don’t work out?

Oh wow just wow. Outsourcing parenting. Go with the school offering and you probably have adequate safeguarding. Do it yourself and how are you going to organise PVG checks, health and safety in the home etc? This isn't a two week exchange and I wouldn't seek advice on internet.

I think the advantage of using a company is they will have vetted the family and match you with one that has experience and done the job before, rather than a family who don't fully understand the responsibilities and expectations.

Ok. I guess I am being blue eyed.

What nationality is your daughter? Is she looking to improve her English or is she fluent already? Does she get on with other children generally? Or would she better with older teens/similar age? Does she know Edinburgh/Scotland or would she want to do tourism at the weekends? What would you be willing to pay the host family? Is she religious? Would the host family be expected to "police" her activities or would she be "free as a bird"?

@Borridge

Ok. I guess I am being blue eyed.

Not a clue what this means - is English not your first language? Might be safer to go with what the school recommends

I’m really confused as to how this works. Would a school with boarding not be a better option? There are a few in Edinburgh. You may still be able to get place. Or have you tried?

I think OP meant that she was being naïve and trusting.

I agree with the other posters though, unless it's someone you already know then I don't think i'd be placing my child for a year without proper vetting and support. I wouldn't take a child in in those circs either.

I think you need to go through official channels.

Yes, by blue eyed i meant naive.

English is not her mother tongue but she speaks it very well.

Would anyone recommend a homestay organization? It would be good to look into more than one organization then.

Didn't realise GWC doesn't have a boarding house, you obviously have your reasons for choosing it but there are other schools in Edi (&further afield) that accommodate boarders properly. I realise I am no help.

@Borridge

Yes, by blue eyed i meant naive.

English is not her mother tongue but she speaks it very well.

Would anyone recommend a homestay organization? It would be good to look into more than one organization then.

I would advise going with the one the school recommends. There are not going to be many home stay organisations operating for school children in Edinburgh.

There are 6 schools in Edinburgh with boarding houses and those are the schools families who need boarding tend to choose. So very few people will use homestay.