Although the Au Pair program is more a win-win cooperation between the Au Pair and the Host Family, there are rules that both sides should respect. In this post we have gathered the most important information about being an Au Pair in the United Kingdom.
Au Pair duties
The participant will be in charge of taking care of the Host Family's children. To the Au Pair’s duties also belong all the tasks related to child care - like cleaning the kids' room or preparing some little snacks for the kids.
It’s important to understand that the Au Pair is not a cleaning lady, but should contribute to general household chores as every other family member. The participant should discuss with the Host Family the exact scope of responsibilities.
Host Family responsibilities
In the United Kingdom the Host Family needs to provide the Au Pair with:
The Host Family should also respect the work time of the participant. In case of the UK it’s 30 hours per week. The family can arrange the schedule with tasks in a way allowing her/him to attend a language course.
The participant becomes a family member! It’s important to keep it in mind.
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The participant should spend 30 hours per week on the Au Pair duties including babysitting!
Although it is not recommended, the participant can also work part-time; as an EU citizen the applicant can work in the UK, and the Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme visa allows non-EU Au Pairs in the UK to work up to 20 hours per week in addition to the participant’s responsibilities. The Host Family should always be a priority, though.
Wages
According to the official Au Pair program in UK, the participant should receive a salary about 70-85 GBP per week, what makes 310 - 380 GBP per month.
Still, if the participant happens to work more than 30 hours per week (only upon the mutual agreement!) she/he can negotiate some extra salary.
Time off and holidays
The participant in the United Kingdom will have at least 1 free day a week. This day should be a Sunday at least once in a month.
The participant will also have a holiday, although in the United Kingdom there are no clear requirements regarding this case.
It is recommended to grant 4 weeks of holiday per 12 months of the program, though the participant needs to discuss the details with the Host Family. Make sure to note this fact in your contract as well!
Accommodation
Full board and lodging are the main responsibilities of every Host Family. The participant should not pay neither for the food nor for the accommodation. These are main foundations of the Au Pair program.
The Au Pair can stay at the Host Family's place and enjoy full board and lodging also during the holiday or illness.
Language course
The participant needs to have the possibility to attend a language course in the United Kingdom. A daily schedule of activities will help her/him to plan the time for the classes.
The Au Pair has to cover the cost of the language course and the Host Family doesn't have to participate. The participant can always ask the Host Family though to take it into consideration!
What else?
The participant should keep the income tax in mind. The pocket money in most of the cases is not high enough and the income does not have to be taxed. To pay the tax and National Insurance contributions the participant has to receive more than 140 GBP per week.
The Au Pair should ask the Host Family about the National Insurance in the UK - purchasing it may be a necessity.
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