If you are thinking of sending your child to school abroad, you will want to be reassured that he or she will receive the best possible care at all times. Finding the right school is just part of the process. Equally important is the care and attention your child receives when he or she is not in school. A happy child is best placed to enjoy academic success as well as all the benefits of a busy and fulfilling stay in the UK.
Because schools recognise the importance of guardianship, they will ask that your child has a guardian living near the school who can provide a welcoming home at weekends and half-term holidays. At Gabbitas, we expect our guardians to take a genuine interest in the progress and welfare of your child, to provide a safe and happy environment where he or she can relax and to offer encouragement and support just as you would give at home.
Gabbitas has an international reputation as the UK’s leading independent education consultancy. Offering expert guidance on all stages of education, we receive thousands of enquiries each year and advise parents and students all over the world on the best options in the UK.
Guardianship has a vital role to play in caring for students who are a long way from home. We understand what an important decision it is for you to make when you place responsibility for the care of your child in our hands. Our friendly, professional guardianship team is dedicated to ensuring that your child enjoys a happy and successful experience of life in the UK.
Gabbitas has a genuine understanding of the needs and concerns of international students and their parents.
A good example of the type of situation our staff become involved in is the replacement of a student's passport and visa, stolen from an hotel during a school trip. We contacted the US Embassy to obtain a new passport, the UKBA for a new visa, accompanied the student and the guardian family to appointments, liaised with his parents over the documentation required and the flight changes. The whole process involved over 3 weeks' work by staff in our London office. His parents were delighted:
"Dear Debbie, Just to let you know that our son made it home safe and sound and to thank you for all the efforts you made on his behalf. It was truly the best Christmas present I could have received; having my family sitting around the table together, laughing to the point of tears, the dog barking, the 7 year old trying to show our son her new dance routine, my husband peppering him with questions about classes and soccer, the 13 year old quizzing him about Paris and his roommates, and me ... just smiling at it all. You made my holiday. Thank you." Mrs S, USA
Once you have joined Gabbitas Guardianship, we will appoint a Client Relationship Co-ordinator who will be your first point of contact, should you require any assistance. We currently have fluent speakers of Mandarin, Cantonese, Russian, Korean, Spanish, Dutch and German and have offices situated in Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai; our aim is to match every family with a member of staff who speaks their native language. The Guardianship team can help you with the following:
- Careful selection of a suitable guardian family for your child’s stay in the UK
- Excellent practical and educational support throughout their schooling
- Regular communication with parents, guardians and schools. Our team can be contacted day or night via our 24-hour emergency service
- Unrivalled knowledge of UK education