WHAT IS AN AU PAIR?
Most people know what an Au Pair is in principle. The typical profile is a young woman (and increasingly) young man, who live with a family in a foreign country for up to two years. They live as part of the family, helping in the home for a set number of days and hours a week. Crucially, they are in many senses part of the family rather than a worker or servant. They should receive a reasonable allowance, as well as a private room. Apart from the modest monetary reward, the Au Pair enjoys first hand experience of another culture, and a direct means to improve their English.
Age: Traditionally, an au pair is aged 17 – 27, however an au pair from the EU (not the new Accession Countries such as Romania and Bulgaria) can be older.
Hours on duty: Au pairs can be on duty from 25 – 35 hours per week if they are from an EU country. This is limited to 25 hours per week if the au pair comes from Bulgaria or Romania. These hours can be spread out over 5 days per week. Longer hours are usually referred to as ‘au pair plus’.
Pocket Money: Au pair should expect some pocket money which can be from £70 per week for 25 hours, regardless of whether the minimum hours are worked. For 30 hours the minimum should be at least £85 per week.
Babysitting: Two evenings babysitting per week are included as part of the programme. Additional pocket money should be paid for any additional evenings.
Hours on duty: Au pairs can be on duty from 25 – 35 hours per week if they are from an EU country. This is limited to 25 hours per week if the au pair comes from Bulgaria or Romania. These hours can be spread out over 5 days per week. Longer hours are usually referred to as ‘au pair plus’.
Pocket Money: Au pair should expect some pocket money which can be from £70 per week for 25 hours, regardless of whether the minimum hours are worked. For 30 hours the minimum should be at least £85 per week.
Babysitting: Two evenings babysitting per week are included as part of the programme. Additional pocket money should be paid for any additional evenings.
Room and board: The au pair receives full room and board from the family throughout the stay. The au pair must have her own private room with a window and not be required to share with children, and she should be given facilities to study.
Travelling Costs: The au pair is required to pay their own travelling cost to and from the UK, unless the family chooses to fund this.
Insurance: EU au pairs visiting the UK do not need additional health insurance as they are entitled to use the National Health Service. The au pair may also wish to take out additional travel insurance to cover loss of belongings, repatriation in case of accident, death etc.
Language School and Costs: Au pairs must be given enough time to attend language school. Your family will help you to find a language course when you arrive but unless you are from an EU country, you may have to pay for the classes yourself.
Travelling Costs: The au pair is required to pay their own travelling cost to and from the UK, unless the family chooses to fund this.
Insurance: EU au pairs visiting the UK do not need additional health insurance as they are entitled to use the National Health Service. The au pair may also wish to take out additional travel insurance to cover loss of belongings, repatriation in case of accident, death etc.
Language School and Costs: Au pairs must be given enough time to attend language school. Your family will help you to find a language course when you arrive but unless you are from an EU country, you may have to pay for the classes yourself.
Leisure time: The au pair’s schedule must provide sufficient time to attend language school, and the au pair shall receive two free days each week and should be offered one full weekend off per month.
Holiday entitlement: As of September 2010, BAPAA recommends 28 days holiday per 12 month period, including Public Holidays. Pocket money will be paid during this time. The au pair should not be forced to take holiday to coincide with the family holiday. Holidays should be mutually agreed between host family an au pair.
Light Housework: A list of suggested light housework duties is below these guidelines.
Childcare: An au pair is not permitted to have continuous sole charge of children under the age of two.
Holiday entitlement: As of September 2010, BAPAA recommends 28 days holiday per 12 month period, including Public Holidays. Pocket money will be paid during this time. The au pair should not be forced to take holiday to coincide with the family holiday. Holidays should be mutually agreed between host family an au pair.
Light Housework: A list of suggested light housework duties is below these guidelines.
Childcare: An au pair is not permitted to have continuous sole charge of children under the age of two.
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