Au Pair

In the United Kingdom, in co-operation with our associate agencies abroad, we place Au Pair applicants from the following countries: Austria, Greece, Portugal, Belgium, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Iceland, Slovakia, Cyprus, Italy, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Latvia, Spain, Denmark, Lithuania, Sweden, Estonia, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Finland, Malta, The Netherlands, France, Norway, Germany and Poland

The Au Pair Programme is a cultural exchange for young European people aged between 18 to 27 years.

An Au Pair lives as part of the family and is expected to be made welcome as a family member. He/She is an extra pair of hands for a busy household and should be treated as part of the family, not an employee.

Duties include childcare and light housework such as cleaning, ironing, washing-up at mealtimes and helping with the children.

Au Pairs should not be asked to undertake heavy duty chores. An Au Pair may be asked to take children to and from school, assist with after school activities and supervise them in a responsible manner in the absence of the parents according to the instructions given.

In return for those duties an Au Pair will receive the following benefits:

• own bedroom and full board

• an opportunity to practise languages in a family setting

• part-time attendance at a language school (if desired)

• pocket money of £70 - £90 per week proportionate to the number of hours worked An Au Pair from an EU member country may work for up to 30 hours per week + two evenings babysitting.

Au Pairs from Bulgaria and Romania are only permitted to work for 25 hours per week + 2 evenings babysitting. According to Working Time Regulations BAPAA recommends that the UK basic holiday allowance of 28 days per annum should apply or 1.66 days per month pro-rata if the placement is shorter than a year. This can include public and bank holidays.

Au Pairs are also permitted to come to the UK under Tier 5, the Youth Mobility Visa. Under this visa we can accept candidates from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Japan

Au Pair Plus

The duties and guidelines for an Au Pair Plus are the same as those for an au pair, however he/she will be prepared to work for up to 35 hours per week (with the exception of Bulgaria and Romania) plus two evenings babysitting.

Au Pairs from Bulgaria and Romania are only permitted to work for 25 hours per week + 2 evenings babysitting.

As with au pair, the au pair plus is an extra pair of hands for a busy household and should be treated as part of the family, not an employee.

Duties include childcare and light housework such as cleaning, ironing, washing-up at mealtimes and helping with the children. Au Pairs should not be asked to undertake heavy duty chores.

An Au Pair Plus may be asked to take children to and from school, assist with after school activities and supervise them in a responsible manner in the absence of the parents according to the instructions given.

In return for childcare and household duties an Au Pair Plus will receive the following benefits:

• own bedroom and full board

• an opportunity to practise languages in a family setting

• part-time attendance at a language school (if desired)

• pocket money of £90 - £120 per week proportionate to the number of hours worked (between 31 – 35 hours per week as au pair plus) According to Working Time Regulations BAPAA recommends that the UK basic holiday allowance of 28 days per annum should apply or 1.66 days per month pro-rata if the placement is shorter than a year.

This can include public and bank holidays.

Au Pair Plus are also permitted to come to the UK under Tier 5, the Youth Mobility Visa. Under this visa we can accept candidates from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Japan