How We Keep Students Safe and Thriving in Ireland
- High Schools International
- 13 hours ago
- 5 min read
Safety and Wellbeing at the Heart of Every Exchange
When parents send their child to study abroad, excitement often comes with a touch of worry. It’s a big step that involves trust, preparation and peace of mind. That’s why at HSI (High Schools International), safety and wellbeing are not just policies; they’re the foundation of everything we do.
Ireland is known for its friendliness, strong education system and sense of community. It’s also consistently ranked among the world’s safest countries, according to the Global Peace Index (Vision of Humanity, 2025). Combined with HSI’s structured welfare approach, this makes Ireland a place where students feel safe, supported and ready to grow.
In this post, we’ll show you how HSI’s welfare system works, who supports each student, and why Ireland is such a trusted destination for high school study abroad.
Your Support Network During Your High School Study Abroad in Ireland
Every HSI student has a complete circle of care to support them both emotionally and practically from the day they arrive.
Your Dedicated Student Advisor (SA)
Each student is assigned their own Student Advisor, a trained welfare professional who provides ongoing one-to-one support throughout their time in Ireland. Student Advisors meet students regularly, check on their wellbeing and offer guidance when needed.
Your child’s Student Advisor is their first point of contact for advice and everyday support while they are in Ireland.
24/7 Support and Head Office Team
In addition to their Student Advisor, every student and family has access to HSI’s head office welfare team and a 24-hour emergency phone number. Help is always available if needed, no matter the time of day.
Host Family and School Support
Our host families provide a welcoming home and day-to-day care, while school staff ensure each student’s academic and personal progress is on track. Together with the Student Advisor, they create a steady, three-way support network around every student - what we call our “triangle of trust.”
Regular Visits, Transparent Reporting and Parental Updates
Every student receives a scheduled welfare visit from their Student Advisor at least once a month, usually at school. This setting allows students to speak privately and comfortably about how they are getting on, both academically and personally.
The Student Advisor records each visit through HSI’s secure digital welfare reporting system. Reports are reviewed by the central welfare team and shared with the student’s local agency and natural parents. This ensures that everyone involved in the student’s care stays informed and connected.
Separate from these school-based visits, Student Advisors also visit host families every eight weeks to ensure the home environment remains supportive and that hosts have the guidance they need.
"Compared to other agencies the local advisor sees you in person in school to check on you. This creates an environment to talk!" - Hannah G., Germany
Open and accurate communication between HSI, agencies and parents is central to our welfare model.
Safeguarding and Boundaries: How We Protect Every Student
Safeguarding is about much more than procedures. It’s about ensuring every student is protected, listened to and treated with respect.
HSI’s Safeguarding Policy follows Irish national child protection guidance and reflects best practice promoted by Tusla – the Child and Family Agency. This means that every staff member and host family is trained to identify and respond appropriately to any welfare concern.
Note: HSI families and partners can request a copy of our Safeguarding Policy.
Our Welfare Escalation Process shows clearly how concerns are managed and resolved:
Student Advisor Check-In – monitors and records student wellbeing.
Welfare Manager Review – addresses any concerns promptly and ensures clear communication between all parties.
Director or External Referral – escalates issues to external safeguarding authorities if required.
HSI Student Advisors receive ongoing training in child protection, mental health awareness, intercultural communication and adolescent wellbeing.
Founding Member of the AGPI
HSI is proud to be a founding member of the Association of Guardianship Providers Ireland (AGPI). This national body promotes best practice in student guardianship and welfare.
Membership of AGPI means HSI meets independently agreed national standards, is subject to regular audits and contributes to shaping high standards for the whole sector. Parents and agencies can be confident that our welfare practices are transparent, consistent and externally verified.
Living with an Irish Host Family: A Home Away from Home
Ireland’s hospitality is something students never forget. Our host families are carefully chosen, Garda-vetted and personally visited by HSI before any placement begins. Each match is made based on compatibility, not just convenience.
HSI visits every host family at least every eight weeks to provide ongoing support and to ensure that the living environment remains safe, caring and suitable.
Host families receive guidance from HSI on cultural understanding, communication and teenage development. This helps them create the right balance of care, independence and belonging for each student.
"Here in Ballincollig I felt really comfortable. My host parents were really understanding, supportive and flexible." - Timon D., Germany
Why Ireland’s Safety Record Matters
Ireland consistently appears in the top ten safest and most peaceful countries in the world, according to the Global Peace Index.
Beyond the numbers, it’s the everyday culture that makes a difference. Ireland’s small communities, approachable schools and strong local networks make it a reassuring place for young people to live and learn. Combined with HSI’s structured welfare system, it creates an environment where students can flourish.
Staying Connected: How Parents Stay Informed
HSI provides regular updates to families through their local agency, ensuring that communication is clear, accurate and consistent.
Agencies receive monthly welfare reports and termly updates, which they share with parents. If any concerns arise, the local agency will contact HSI’s head office directly, and the welfare team will work with the Student Advisor to respond quickly.
This communication structure ensures everyone involved in the student’s care has the right information, at the right time.
Trust, Care and Irish Warmth
At HSI, safety isn’t a checkbox, it’s a promise. Our welfare approach gives every student the confidence and support they need to grow, learn and thrive in Ireland.
Our system includes:
A dedicated Student Advisor for every student
24/7 access to our welfare team
Monthly reporting shared with agencies and parents
Regular host family visits every eight weeks
AGPI membership confirming independent welfare standards
And Ireland’s reputation as one of the world’s safest and most welcoming countries
For families and agents, that’s genuine peace of mind, and a partnership built on trust and experience.
👉 Ready to learn more? Speak to our Welfare Team
