What is a Guardian in the UK?

The term ‘Guardian’ can mean different things. There are different types of guardianship, however, the overarching term ‘Guardian’ is often used, which can lead to confusion!

An Educational Guardian supports a child's welfare and educational journey whilst in the UK, providing a parental role in the absence of a parent close by. The Educational Guardian tends not to live with the student, but they offer pastoral, academic, and logistical support as needed. Educational Guardians are most relevant for international students living away from home, though there may be some cases where a British family appoint an Educational Guardian.

There are many organisations in the UK that are providing Educational Guardianship for international students, including Radius EWS.

There is no legal requirement for international students to have a Guardian. The UK’s Visa and Immigration (UKVI) framework uses the term ‘Nominated Guardian’ in relation to those coming to the UK on a ‘Child Student’ visa, but it is not a UKVI requirement to have a ‘Nominated Guardian’ for students that are living at school throughout term-time.   

Many schools nevertheless make ‘Guardianship’ a condition of enrolment for all international students, and so it is a contractual requirement with the school rather than a legal requirement from UKVI. Schools may refer to a ‘Nominated Guardian’ an ‘Educational Guardian’, or simply a ‘Guardian’. The criteria for an acceptable guardianship arrangement will depend on the school policy. The Guardianship could be provided by a professional Educational Guardian, usually as part of a Guardianship organisation. Or the Guardian could be someone else (for example, a family friend) - provided they meet the school’s criteria.