Host families provide a safe and welcoming home while the player participates in the exchange programme. For many families, hosting marks the beginning of friendships that continue for many years.

WHAT HOSTING INVOLVES

Host families will normally be expected to:

- Welcome a visiting player into their home
- Provide meals and suitable sleeping arrangements
- Help the player attend scheduled activities
- Follow the agreed exchange programme
- Maintain contact with the exchange organisers
- Follow all approved safeguarding guidance
- Inform organisers immediately of any concerns

Players will spend much of the visit taking part in organised matches, trips and social activities. A full itinerary and detailed hosting guidance will be supplied before the exchange begins.

SAFEGUARDING

The welfare of every participating young person is the priority.

The French Exchange Committee and Shaw Cross safeguarding team will issue the approved requirements for host families, emergency contacts, supervision, medical information and reporting concerns.

Personal information about visiting players and host families will be shared only with the people who require it to organise the exchange safely.

REGISTERING AN INTEREST

A parent information and expression-of-interest process will open once the dates and visiting numbers have been confirmed.

Registering an interest will not automatically confirm a hosting placement. Final arrangements will depend on player numbers, age groups, family circumstances and safeguarding requirements.