Highlights from the Bright World Conference 2022

Opening the conference, Managing Director Lana Foster, started by thanking everyone for their hard work over the last two years, giving special mention to the team's flexibility and receptiveness, which helped us to react so quickly to COVID-19 and adapt our guardianship programme to meet the new needs of our overseas boarders.

Lana also spoke about the introduction of a standard for Educational Guardians in the National Minimum Standards (NMS) for Boarding Schools and how Bright World can help schools to meet the new standard from September when the guidance takes effect.

a year in review

Next to take to the stage, Director of Guardianships, Su Warren with a review of the year from the guardianship team. Su welcomed and introduced Local Coordinators joining us for their first IP conference; Lauren Platt (Lancashire & Cumbria​), JoAnne Hicks (Devon & Cornwall)​, Rachael Wheeler, (East Surrey), Sarah Jenkins, (Berkshire), Debbie Bird, (West Kent) and Stephanie White, (Hertfordshire).

the importance of host families

A return to normal life in the UK has mean't that most schools are closing their boarding houses for holiday times, just as they did before the pandemic began. Su reminded our Local Coordinator team just how important it was for them to continue to inspect and re-inspect host families in order for us to meet demand.

health and safety

Su highlighted the importance of our health and safety standards, and was sure to mention the recent additional documents and checks now required for host families when it comes to Gas Safety.

Simon King, Senior Guardianship & Operations Manager led an engaging session about the value of our student welfare visits and of the Care Plans our Local Coordinators produce for parents. Simon also explained the various combination of visits and how these vary for new and returning students.

Key updates were then provided to our Local Coordinators, including; manual amends and the importance of keeping student logs up to date.

Charlotte Hamson, Director of Sales & Marketing highlighted some of the stand out marketing campaigns from the past academic year. Initiatives that helped us to reach overseas parents seeking professional educational guardian during times like Christmas 2021, when Bright World adapted its offering to help with demand for accommodation for students not able to travel home. This was followed by a review of market insights for the the new academic year and a focus on the marketing work that our Local Coordinators do behind the scenes throughout the year.

After a break for lunch, James Foster, Commercial Director, gave a presentation on internet security and the continued rise of fraudulent emails. This topic was particularly relevant this year, as many professionals in the UK, including Bright World staff and Local Coordinators often or always work remotely away from the office.

As a key part of our commitment to safeguarding children and, in particular, the international students under our care, all staff receive annual safeguarding refresher training. For the third year running, this session was led by Adam Lubbock, Founder of King's River Education, an independent safeguarding consultancy, specialising in guardianship.

The session covered key changes to safeguarding legislation, which are included in the draft of the new Standards for Boarding Schools (SBS) which replaces the National Minimum Standards for Boarding (NMS).

KCSIE highlights from 2020 through to 2022; including RSE (Preventative Education), more safeguarding responsibilities for governors, professional curiosity and information sharing. Support for LGBT+ or considered to be.

insights from the panel

Long-standing Bright World Local Coordinators; Rebecca Warboys, Lindsay Gayler and Martyn Pape (from left to right), took to the panel to give their insights in their roles for Bright World. Rebecca spoke on the importance of school relationships, Lindsay on the art of organisation, whilst Martyn highlighted the importance of authenticity when it comes to writing student Care Plans.

shout-outs

Local Coordinator 'Shout-Outs' concluded the event, as Simon highlighted and mentioned those team members who have gone above and beyond throughout the past academic year. Congratulations were given to Lorna Astbury for her exceptional support to those students affected by the war in Ukraine, Martyn Pape was praised for his admirable commitment to his role, whilst Rebecca Warboys and Stasia Jackson were commended for their detailed Host family Care Plan reports and for expanding their responsibilities in York.