HSI Guardianship in Ireland
Trusted care for students studying in Ireland without their parents
All HSI High School programmes in Ireland include guardianship as part of the programme, with no extra guardianship fee.
This page is mainly for parents whose child already has a confirmed place at a school or university in Ireland and now needs a trusted guardianship provider.
HSI Guardianship gives your child practical support, personal guidance and a caring point of contact in Ireland, while giving you clear communication and peace of mind from home.
Looking for school placement as well as guardianship?
Explore our High School Programmes in Ireland.
Guardianship that feels personal, not distant
Sending your child to study in another country is a major step.
You want them to become more independent, enjoy school life, make friends and grow in confidence. But you also want to know that someone responsible is nearby if they need support.
That is what HSI Guardianship is for.
Our role is to support students practically, socially and emotionally while they are studying in Ireland. We help them settle in, stay safe, communicate with school, manage challenges and make the most of their time away from home.
For parents, we provide reassurance that your child is not alone. They have a team in Ireland who know them, monitor their wellbeing, and can step in when needed.
Who is HSI Guardianship for?
HSI Guardianship is available for international students aged 8 to 18 who will be studying in Ireland without their parents.
It is suitable for students attending:
-
Private boarding schools
-
Private day schools
-
Public/state schools
-
Irish universities, where the student is still under 18
For students joining an HSI High School programme in Ireland, guardianship is already included as part of the programme package.
For students who already have a confirmed school or university place, HSI Guardianship can be arranged as a stand-alone service.
Why families choose HSI Guardianship
Experienced support in Ireland
HSI has been looking after international students for more than 30 years.
Our guardianship team is based in Dublin and works closely with students, parents, schools, host families and overseas partners. We understand the practical and emotional challenges that can come with studying abroad as a young person.
Our aim is simple: to help students feel safe, supported and confident during their time in Ireland.
A Student Advisor your child can get to know
One of the most important parts of HSI Guardianship is our Student Advisor network.
Students are supported by a Student Advisor who becomes a familiar point of contact during their programme. This gives students someone they can speak to about school, friendships, host family life, homesickness or any concerns they may have.
For students on Full Guardianship, Student Advisors meet students regularly one-to-one. These meetings help us monitor how each student is settling in, both academically and personally.
Small problems are easier to solve when they are noticed early. Regular contact helps us do that.
Clear communication with parents
When your child is far from home, you need more than occasional updates.
Through our Full Guardianship service, Student Advisors provide written progress and wellbeing reports following student meetings. These reports are shared through the HSI office, helping parents understand how their child is doing in Ireland.
This can include updates on:
-
School progress
-
Social adjustment
-
Living arrangements
-
General wellbeing
-
Any issues or concerns that need attention
Our goal is to keep parents informed without making students feel over-managed.
Accredited guardianship
HSI Guardianship is fully accredited by BSA and HSI Ireland is a founding member of AGPI.
Student safety, welfare and safeguarding are central to how our guardianship service is organised and delivered.
We work with students, parents, schools, host families and service providers to help every student have a safe, positive and successful experience in Ireland.
What HSI Guardianship includes
Before your child arrives
Before arrival, the HSI team can help coordinate practical arrangements connected to the student’s programme.
This may include:
-
Host family arrangements, where required
-
Airport transfer support
-
Communication with parents, agents or schools
-
Pre-arrival information for the student
Where a host family stay is arranged, students may be put in contact with their host family before travelling, helping them feel more prepared before they arrive in Ireland.
Soon after arrival
Shortly after arrival, the Student Advisor contacts the student to check that they have arrived safely.
The student then receives an orientation visit, usually within the first two weeks. This helps them understand:
-
Who their Student Advisor is
-
How to contact HSI
-
What support is available
-
What to do if they have a problem
-
How guardianship works during their stay
This first meeting is also an important chance for the student to ask questions and begin building a relationship with their Student Advisor.
During the programme
During the student’s time in Ireland, HSI Guardianship can support with:
-
Student welfare and wellbeing
-
Academic and social progress monitoring
-
Communication with schools
-
Written updates for parents
-
Emergency support
-
Practical arrangements such as transfers
-
Host family accommodation during school closures, where required
-
Help resolving problems if they arise
For students on Full Guardianship, Student Advisors meet students regularly and can attend parent-teacher evenings where required. Feedback is then shared with the HSI office and passed on to parents.
At the end of the programme
At the end of the student’s stay, HSI can help coordinate departure arrangements and ensure that relevant school documents or validation documents are obtained and shared with parents or their representatives.
Choose the right level of guardianship
HSI offers two levels of guardianship in Ireland: Basic Guardianship and Full Guardianship.
Basic Guardianship provides essential support for older boarding students. Full Guardianship includes everything in Basic, with additional Student Advisor visits, parent reports, school communication and welfare monitoring.
If you are unsure which option is right for your child, our team can advise you.
Basic Guardianship
Essential support for older boarding or university students
Basic Guardianship is designed for students aged 16 or over who are attending a boarding programme and need a more limited level of guardianship support.
Basic Guardianship includes:
-
Orientation visit after arrival
-
24/7 emergency contact
-
Access to the HSI office team
-
Assistance with airport transfers
-
Assistance with host family accommodation where required
Best for:
Older boarding students who are more independent but still need a responsible guardian and emergency support in Ireland.
Full Guardianship
Full Guardianship includes everything in Basic
Guardianship, plus a higher level of supervision, personal support and communication with parents.
Full Guardianship includes everything in Basic, plus:
-
Regular one-to-one Student Advisor visits
-
Written progress and wellbeing reports
-
Academic, social and welfare monitoring
-
Parent-teacher evening attendance where required
-
Emergency or additional visits when needed
-
Incident reports
-
Support with host family stays during school closures
-
A more personal ongoing relationship with the Student Advisor
Best for:
Parents who want regular updates, closer welfare monitoring and a complete support structure while their child studies in Ireland
Complete care, monitoring and parent reassurance
Host family support during school closures
Many boarding students need somewhere safe and welcoming to stay during mid-term breaks, exeat weekends or boarding house closures.
As part of our Full Guardianship service, HSI can arrange local host family accommodation for students who require it.
Our host families provide more than a place to sleep. They offer a warm, home-style environment where students can rest, study and feel cared for during breaks from school.
HSI host families are expected to provide:
-
A private bedroom
-
A quiet place to study
-
Meals and snacks
-
A warm and welcoming home environment
-
Appropriate care and supervision
All host families are visited before placement, inspected, background checked, referenced, and given guidance on hosting and child protection.
Safeguarding and student welfare
Your child’s safety and wellbeing are our first priority.
HSI Guardianship is built around responsive support, student-centred care, good communication and strong relationships with parents, schools and host families.
We encourage students to speak openly with their Student Advisor if they are worried about anything. This might include school, friendships, accommodation, homesickness, health, travel or practical issues.
Students do not need to wait for a serious problem before asking for help.
Sometimes they simply need someone in Ireland who understands the situation and can guide them calmly through it.
A caring link between home, school and student life in Ireland
Good guardianship works best when everyone is connected.
HSI acts as a link between the student, their parents, their school, their host family and any other relevant support.
This helps make sure that information is shared clearly, concerns are followed up, and the student receives the right support at the right time.
For parents, this means you are not trying to manage everything from another country.
For students, it means they have someone in Ireland who knows them and can help.
Start your guardianship application
If your child has already been offered a place at a school or university in Ireland and will be studying without you, we would be happy to advise on the right guardianship option.
Complete the application form below, or contact our team if you would like to discuss your child’s situation before applying.
FAQ
What is guardianship?
Guardianship is a practical and caring support system for young international students studying in Ireland without their parents.
It gives students a responsible point of contact in Ireland and helps support their welfare, safety, school life and practical needs while they are away from home.
Is guardianship included in HSI High School programmes?
Yes. All HSI High School programmes in Ireland include guardianship as part of the programme.
There is no extra guardianship fee for students joining one of our full academic high school programmes.
Can we use HSI Guardianship if we already have a school place?
Yes. HSI Guardianship is also available as a stand-alone service for students who already have a confirmed place at an Irish school or university and need a professional guardian in Ireland.
For university students, guardianship is only required where the student is still under 18. Once a student turns 18, they no longer need a guardian.
Who can apply for HSI Guardianship?
HSI Guardianship is available for international students aged 8 to 18 who will be studying in Ireland without their parents.
This includes students attending boarding schools, day schools, public/state schools, and universities where the student is still under 18.
What is the difference between Basic and Full Guardianship?
Basic Guardianship provides essential support for older boarding students, including an orientation visit, access to the HSI office, 24/7 emergency contact, and assistance with transfers and host family accommodation where required.
Full Guardianship includes everything in Basic, plus regular Student Advisor visits, written progress and wellbeing reports, school communication, welfare monitoring, incident reports and a more complete support structure.
Is Basic Guardianship available to all students?
No. Basic Guardianship is only available to students aged 16 or over who are attending a boarding programme.
Students who are younger, attending a day school, or who need closer support will usually require Full Guardianship.
Will my child have a named person supporting them?
Yes. Students are supported by a Student Advisor, who helps them settle in and monitors their wellbeing and progress during the programme.
For students on Full Guardianship, the Student Advisor meets with the student regularly and provides updates through the HSI office.
Do parents receive updates?
Yes. Full Guardianship includes written progress and wellbeing reports, helping parents stay informed about how their child is doing in Ireland.
Is emergency support available?
Yes. Students under HSI Guardianship have access to a 24/7 emergency telephone service.
Can HSI arrange host family accommodation during school holidays?
Yes. HSI can arrange host family stays for students who need accommodation during mid-term breaks, exeat weekends or boarding house closures.
This forms part of the Full Guardianship service.
Are host families checked?
Yes. HSI host families are visited before placement, inspected, background checked, referenced, and provided with child protection guidance.
Does HSI arrange school placement too?
Yes, but that is handled through our High School programmes rather than stand-alone guardianship.
If your child still needs help finding a school in Ireland, our High School Programmes include school placement, guardianship and ongoing student support.
Explore High School Programmes
How do I find out the fees?
Please contact HSI for current guardianship fees.
Fees depend on the level of guardianship required and the duration of the student’s programme.
Trusted by the Study Travel Industry
