Information for UK Families

We have done a lot of research regarding cultural hosting programs and has many years of experience with placing au pairs and host families together. You can feel confident that our placement system results in satisfied au pairs and families 79% of the time, and our advice and recommendations are proven to improve most conflicts.

AU PAIR NETWORK

We have a large network of au pairs and can normally meet special requests by the family such as au pairs from certain backgrounds or religious beliefs, an au pair to help children with school assignments, and/or other special needs.

In addition to the special skills that the au pair will provide to your family, you have the confidence of knowing that your au pair came from the best placement network available today. We have years of experience in placing au pairs and host families together, and our continuous research efforts and desires to offer only the best make us even better from day to day.

DUTIES OF THE AU-PAIR

Helping with light housework and with children is an au-pairs main responsibility.

An au-pair is not expected to take full charge of childcare and housework, their duty is to help the smooth running of the household and looking after the children while their parents work.

When the children are on school holiday, the au-pair may be expected to work longer house but they should be paid extra pocket money in return. Remember an au-pair is not a servant or a qualified domestic helper.

WORKING CONDITIONS FOR THE AU-PAIR

You should allow your au-pair the weekends and any nights that she is not babysitting to study or for other activities.

The minimum recommended pocket money to the au-pair by the BAPAA - British Au Pair Agencies Association is £65 per week paid on a weekly basis. You might like to consider going above that especially if you have 3 or more children or you live in London.

You must arrange a comfortable room for your au-pair where she can study and spend time alone if she needs to. However you should not exclude her from the family or from the use of other areas of the household. If the au-pair feels she is not wanted she might feel homesick and leave your family.

It is advised by the Home Office to give two week notice if the family should wish to terminate the employment of the au-pair.

LANGUAGE EDUCATION

Most au-pairs will take English Language courses at the local college or language school. Au-pairs are responsible to pay their own fees but help from the family is appreciated in order to find and register at the most suitable institution.

If you live a good distance from the nearest education institution then you should pay the travel cost in addition to the pocket money.

Legally au-pair’s attendance to language course takes precedence over the work she will do for you, that is why the most sensible way is to ensure that the au-pairs classes are at a time that is convenient to the family.

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

When you decide on an applicant we will need a letter of invitation from you that gives a summary of the jobs you expect from your au-pair, proposed working hours and pocket money. The au-pair is responsible for her own travel costs to the UK however your family is required to pick her/him up at the airport.

ONCE YOUR AU-PAIR ARRIVES…

Applicants from countries outside the EEA will need to register with the local police station within 7 days of their arrival. They will need their passport, 2 passport sized photographs and a fee of 34 pounds that they, themselves are responsible to pay.

Most au-pairs are covered by the NHS. The au-pairs from countries that do not have a reciprocal agreement with Great Britain must get a private insurance before their arrival.

You must remember that you have the adequate car insurance policy if your au-pair will be driving your car. You should also double-check whether they have a valid driving license from their home country. Most au-pairs will need a few driving lessons before starting to drive alone, so that they are not confused about driving on the left.

ESTABLISHING A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR AU-PAIR

Please keep in mind that your au-pair may feel a little homesick at first and will need time to get used to your family. During that period, you need to be as understanding and patient as possible and make her/him feel at home.

Your au pair's understanding of the English language might at first be poor but it will soon improve. She/he is in England to learn the language and your attempts at making a conversation with your au-pair will be appreciated.

You need to explain to the au-pair your house rules and her / his duties in a clear manner. Remember to pay her/his pocket money on time and try to make your arrangements in good time if you need your au-pair to baby-sit for you.

Please keep in mind that accommodating someone outside the family in your household is always hard at the start and especially if that someone is technically your employee, some tension may occur. We suggest our families to give au-pairs some time if things don’t go smoothly straight away. After all they are trying to adapt to a totally new culture and using a foreign language. But after a reasonable time if you are still experiencing problems we replace your au-pair and find you a new au-pair free of charge.