Understanding UK Guardianship Fees
UK Guardianship Fees and What They Cover
Registration Fee (One Off)
Term Fees
Expense Account
Billing
3 terms per academic year
Fees at a Glance
Comprehensive Fee Overview
Compare Our Guardianship Plans
Core Plan
Essential Support- Older or more independent students who require an accredited UK guardian and 24/7 emergency support
Diamond Plan
Enhanced Care- Most boarding school students who need proactive school liaison and holiday coordination
Diamond Plus Plan
Premium Experience- Younger students or families seeking the highest level of monitoring and reassurance
Registration fee
Student expense account (£800)
All students — including those who do not require accommodation — must maintain a £800 expense account, collected with the first invoice
The expense account is used only when necessary, for example:
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Cancellation of accommodation without sufficient notice
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Emergency transport or unexpected travel
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Additional pocket money authorised by parents
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Stationery or school payments made in urgent situations
Parents are always informed in writing in advance before any deduction is made.
If no deductions occur, no statement is issued. If deductions occur, parents receive termly written updates and may be asked to top up the account if required
Parents Cost
What’s included in the guardianship fee
24/7 emergency contact
Elite ACS provides a dedicated 24/7 emergency contact for students, parents, schools, and host families. In the event of illness, school suspension, travel disruption, or any urgent situation, our guardianship team can be reached at any time to take immediate action and ensure the student’s safety and wellbeing.
School liaison and communication
We act as the primary point of contact between parents and schools when families are overseas. This includes routine communication, follow-up on school matters, and responding to issues raised by house parents or school staff, ensuring concerns are addressed promptly and professionally.
Guardianship documentation (UK Immigration / school)
Elite ACS provides all official guardianship documentation required by UK schools and UK Immigration, including letters of undertaking and proof of guardianship. These documents confirm the student’s care arrangements and are essential for admissions, visa applications, and school compliance.
Academic progress monitoring
We monitor each student’s academic progress and wellbeing throughout the school year by liaising with schools and house staff. Where concerns arise, we inform parents and work with the school to provide appropriate support, helping students settle and progress effectively.
Travel notifications (WhatsApp)
Parents receive real-time travel notifications via WhatsApp for key journeys, including airport transfers and school travel days. Updates are provided at collection, departure, arrival, and in the event of delays, giving parents reassurance that their child is travelling safely.
Induction / consultation
Elite ACS provides a student and parent induction or one-to-one consultation before or at the start of the guardianship period. This covers UK school life, safeguarding, communication procedures, and practical arrangements, helping families understand what to expect and ensuring a smooth transition.
Understanding the Expense Account
Additional costs parents should budget for
Accommodation and camps
Host family accommodation: £70–£95 per day (full board)
Holiday camps: £110–£195 per day (full board)
Transport and travel
Host Family Mileage: 90p per mile
Journeys exceeding one hour: £25 per additional hour
Airport transfers and driver waiting time charged where applicable
All other taxi quotation are quoted and proceed with parents approval
Hourly services (quoted on request)
Medical or dental accompaniment
Attendance at additional school meetings or events
Administrative support not included in the guardianship plan
Unaccompanied Minor (UM) airport services
Common Questions About UK Guardianship Fees
How invoicing works？
3 terms billed at the start of the year
Upon registration, parents are invoiced for the full academic year guardianship fees, which cover all three school terms, together with the one-off registration fee and the student expense account deposit.
In line with the UK education system, guardianship service fees are billed at the start of the academic year, as guardianship is provided on a full-year basis.
Additional costs incurred during the year — such as host family accommodation, transport, holiday arrangements, or other services requested — are invoiced separately as they arise. These charges are usually billed monthly, based on actual usage and confirmed arrangements.
Invoices may be settled in GBP, HKD, or RMB, providing flexibility for overseas families.
What notice is required if we wish to withdraw from guardianship?
A minimum of one full school term’s written notice is required if parents decide to withdraw their child from Elite ACS guardianship services.
Notice must be provided in writing and will take effect from the start of the following term. Guardianship services — including safeguarding responsibility — will continue until the notice period has been completed and all outstanding fees have been settled.
Guardianship fees already invoiced for the notice period remain payable. Any bank charges incurred for refunds or transfers are the responsibility of the parents.
This notice requirement ensures continuity of care and compliance with UK safeguarding and school obligations.
What notice is required to cancel accommodation arrangements?
A minimum of five (5) weeks’ written notice is required to cancel or amend any host family or accommodation arrangements arranged by Elite ACS.
If cancellation or changes are made within five weeks of the scheduled accommodation period, the full accommodation fee will remain payable, as arrangements will already have been confirmed with host families or providers.
Please note:
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Accommodation booked for the first term (September–December) cannot be cancelled once confirmed
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From January onwards, five weeks’ notice applies to all accommodation cancellations
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Emergency or short-notice changes may be charged separately
These notice requirements ensure fairness to host families and allow Elite ACS to maintain safe, compliant accommodation arrangements for students.
How much does UK guardianship cost?
UK guardianship costs depend on the level of support required. At Elite ACS, guardianship fees are charged per term and vary by plan:
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Core Guardianship: from £428 per term
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Diamond Guardianship: from £670 per term
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Diamond Plus Guardianship: from £900 per term
In addition, there is a one-off registration fee of £180 and a £800 student expense account deposit.
Guardianship fees cover safeguarding, school liaison, and 24/7 emergency support. Accommodation, transport, and other optional services are charged separately based on usage.
Is the £800 expense account refundable?
Yes. The £800 expense account is refundable at the end of the guardianship contract, after all outstanding expenses have been settled.
Refunds are normally arranged by:
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Credit against the final invoice
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UK bank transfer
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Refund to a Hong Kong HSBC account in HKD
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Cash (GBP) paid directly to the student
Parents are always informed in writing before any deduction is made from the expense account.
Do I need to pay the expense account if my child doesn’t stay with a host family?
Yes. All students are required to maintain an expense account, including those who do not stay with a host family.
The expense account is used to cover unexpected or emergency costs, such as transport, urgent school payments, or other expenses that may arise during guardianship. It ensures Elite ACS can act promptly in the student’s best interests when required.
What is charged from the expense account?
The expense account is used only when necessary and may cover:
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Accommodation cancellations without sufficient notice
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Emergency transport or travel arrangements
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Pocket money authorised by parents
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Stationery or urgent payments made to the school
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Other unforeseen expenses during the guardianship period
Parents are notified in advance and in writing before any deduction is made. If deductions occur, parents receive updates and may be asked to top up the account if required.
Do you provide holiday accommodation?
Yes. Elite ACS arranges safe, approved accommodation during school holidays, including:
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Host family accommodation
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Emergency or short-notice accommodation
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Elite-organised holiday camps (during selected half-terms)
Holiday accommodation is charged separately on a per-day basis, depending on the type of accommodation and notice period.
Can you help with airport transfers?
Yes. Elite ACS provides airport transfer coordination and supervision, including:
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Transfers between UK airports and schools or host families
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Monitoring of arrivals and departures
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Support in cases of flight delays or cancellations
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Unaccompanied Minor (UM) taxi services, where required
Transport costs are charged separately and quoted in advance wherever possible. Parents are kept informed throughout the transfer process.
Not sure what your total cost will be?
