An Agency for European Partnerships

Host Families and recent correspondence

Since 1997 Connect Europ has built up a network of approved host families throughout the North of England and Southern Scotland. Many of these families have been involved for a several years with the one-term placement of German young people and have hosted a number of students during that time. However, not all schools or host families can be involved with every programme so we are always searching for new hosts and advertise regularly in local papers for suitable families.

Our German programme is a one-way trip, not an exchange, and Connect Europ makes a donation towards costs, currently of £75 per week per student; all school transport costs are also covered. Each family usually hosts one young German (or two in certain circumstances), and involves them as a member of the family during their stay in the UK. Pupils each need their own room, and all meals need to be provided, although the hosts may give the German pupil money to purchase a midday meal at school or provide a packed lunch.

Our host families come in all shapes and sizes from families with children of their own, families whose children have now left home or are away studying, young families without children, single parents and retired couples. All we are looking for is reliable, caring people who can welcome a foreign guest into their home. So if you have one or two spare rooms available, why not consider internationalising your family and giving a home to a young German for twelve weeks?

Application forms to become a host family can be downloaded here and should be returned to Connect Europ who will then arrange to visit you and explain the programme further. Everyone over 16 in your household is now also legally obliged to apply for a new Enhanced CRB Check; the application forms for this can also be downloaded here. There is no charge and all you need to do is:

  • Complete what you can on the form.

  • Identify which documents you need to show from the list and write which documents you would prefer to show on the back of the form.

  • Return the partially completed form to Connect Europ. NB Do not enclose any documents at this stage.


We will then arrange to come and visit you so that we are able to verify that we have seen the documents you have identified.

Current Host Families

The dates for the next two student groups are:

Autumn 2011     24/9/2011 - 17/12/2011

Spring 2012      07/1/2012  - 31/3/2012

Could you please let us know as soon as possible if you will be available for either (or both) the above dates and if you would be willing to host a German pupil again?

Recent Correspondence - Autumn 2011

Download copies of the following correspondence:

  • For copies of current Programme Address List please e-mail Mike or Fran direct