Homestay Annual Training
Homestay hosts are required to attend an annual training hosted by the school. This will be a good opportunity to meet other homestays, but also to get updated information and go through some of the key policies.
We like to think of this as lunch get-together with some important information shared.
Templestowe College - Annual Training Presentation
The presentation below was created for the use during the in-person training. It is a guideline for discussion, questions and sharing of experiences. It is not a detailed presentation though it does skim through the topics that will be covered.
Host families are all still expected to attend the annual training.
Annual Training Video created by the Department of Education.
Below is the standard training video created by the Department of Education. Please also watch this video as it has other information and more detailed information.
Other points to remember even for our experienced host families·
There are host families with different circumstances. Some are family, some have students who have lived with you for over 2 years, whichever our situation we still have to be very careful and mindful with our physical contact and what point of view we share.
We can share different political, religious or social views as our student. We need to respect these. However, as they are still young the best thing is to avoid expressing of these around them.
Initiating contact with our students,– think of your motivation - ask yourself are you doing this because the student will benefit or if you are doing it because it makes you feel better.
Homestay parents are expected to supervise the student when they are in bigger family gatherings or other events.
Complaints
(as outlined in the homestay agreement Terms and Conditions)
Homestay provider complaints regarding international students
The Homestay Provider must contact the School Representative named in the ISP Homestay Responsibility Agreement, if there is any disagreement, dispute, discomfort, danger or concern about the Student or the Student’s parent/legal guardian.
The School Representative will use its best endeavours to resolve any disagreements or disputes that may occur between the Student, the Student’s parent/legal guardian and the Homestay Provider. If the complaint cannot be resolved, the school representative will escalate it to the principal who will review the complaint and evidence and decide on a course of action.
If a homestay provider is not satisfied with the principal’s response, they can lodge a formal complaint to DE (IED) – see: ISP Complaints and Appeals Policy. This guide provides an overview of the steps that homestay providers can take to deal with complaints and appeals relating to homestay accommodation.
Student complaints against homestay providers
If a complaint raised by a student cannot be resolved directly with the homestay provider, the student should contact the school representative named in the ISP Homestay Responsibility Agreement.
In the first instance, the school representative will obtain information and evidence from the complainant in support of their claim(s).
If a school representative deems that there is merit in the complaint, the school will then review and investigate the complaint.
If the complaint can be resolved and remedied, the school representative will advise both the complainant and the homestay provider of the proposed outcome and actions.
If the complaint cannot be resolved, the school representative will escalate it to the principal who will review the complaint and evidence and decide on a course of action (i.e. move the student into a new homestay). If the complainant is not satisfied with the school’s response, they can lodge a formal complaint to DE (IED) – see: ISP Complaints and Appeals Policy.
If a breach of this Agreement is confirmed, the school may terminate the homestay (see School Termination rights section above).
*Please refer to Homestay Agreement Terms and Conditions for more information.