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’Au pair’ means ‘on equal terms’.
What is an au pair placement?
An au pair placement is an arrangement where a single person between 17 and 27 comes to the UK to study English and:
lives for up to two years as a member of an English-speaking family; and
helps in the home for up to five hours a day with at least two full days off a week, in return for a reasonable allowance and their own room. (The current minimum amount for the weekly allowance is £60.)
For further information please refer to the Home Office web site at
www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/aupairs/whattoexpect/
Visas and Entry Requirements
Read about the changes to UK Immigration taking place in November 2008 - The Youth Mobility Scheme
It is very important that a family accepts an au pair who is entitled to enter the UK as an au pair. To confirm which countries are eligible for entry as au pairs to the UK please visit www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/
Pocket Money Guide
An au pair receives an allowance from the host family each week called pocket money.
For the latest Home Office recommendations on pocket money please visit:
www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/aupairs/whattoexpect/.
Young children
If the au pair is to have sole charge of a young child or baby, then it is important that this is detailed on the family membership form, and that the au pair has appropriate childcare skills.
First Aid
Please remember that au pairs are not qualified child carers and may not necessarily have a First Aid certificate or experience.
If you feel that you would like your au pair to have further knowledge about First Aid please refer to these sites:
www.sja.org.uk , www.redcross.org.uk and www.safe-and-sound.org.uk
Safe and Sound is a dedicated paediatric first aid company running scheduled courses in venues across Greater London and in private homes. They currently work with families and child care agencies, the government agency SureStart and Local Authorities, GP Practices and Health Centres, The National Childbirth Trust, Schools and Nurseries. All courses comply with both British and European Resuscitation guidelines and satisfy the course content requirements set by Nestor, the approval body for the Childcare Approval Scheme. The trainers are all medical professionals, working primarily in accident and emergency departments. Their experience means that they can confidently respond to questions and anxieties which may arise.
Safe and Sound will offer any au pair or family member a 10% discount when registering on a course if you mention that you found them via Universal Au Pairs.
Police registration
An au pair’s passport will be stamped upon arrival in the UK if he/she needs to register with the police. This is a legal requirement and must be adhered to within 7 days of the au pair’s arrival.
Holidays
In order to calculate holiday entitlement we suggest that you visit the Business Link web site.
Insurance
It is not a legal requirement for au pairs to arrive with or maintain any insurance. Please consult a professional insurance advisor for further information regarding steps you might consider taking in relation to cars, property, belongings, liabilities, etc.
Medical
For medical and dental treatment, please contact your own doctor and dentist. It is advisable to register the au pair with these practices upon arrival in the UK. Useful information explaining the rights of visitors wishing to use the NHS can be found at http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/family_parent/health/nhs_charges_for_people_from_abroad.htm.
Driving
Visitors to the UK who hold a valid driving licence issued in an EEA country are able to drive in the UK. The appropriate full entitlement for the vehicle to be driven must be shown on the licence. Please see www.direct.gov.uk/ for more information. Valid insurance is a legal requirement.
Language Classes
An au pair will usually pay for their own language classes. Please ask local schools/colleges for details of suitable English Language courses. You can usually find these via your local authority web site. A list of UK local authorities and their contact details can be found at www.direct.gov.uk/Homepage/fs/en
For those in the London area you may like to visit www.crestschools.com. If you mention 'Universal Au Pairs', the course registration fee will be waived.
Travel
Au pairs will usually pay for their own travel to and from the UK placement. In the case of holidays or longer trips, the following sites may be useful:
www.thetrainline.com
www.nationalexpress.com
www.greenline.co.uk
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