What is an Au Pair?

The government publish Accommodation Offset Rates each year.

If an employer charges more than the offset rate, the difference is taken off the worker’s pay which counts for the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage.

This means the higher the accommodation charge, the lower a worker’s pay when calculating the minimum wage.

If the accommodation charge is at or below the offset rate, it does not have an effect on the worker’s pay.

If the accommodation is free, the offset rate is added to the worker’s pay.

How do I find an Au Pair?

Before you start the search process, make a list of the key attributes that you’re looking for in your prospective Au Pair. Consider the type of person that would fit in with your family and lifestyle. Are there particular cultures that you feel you and your family would like to learn more about? Where will your Au Pair live? Do you have a private bedroom or annex to offer? Have you researched local language colleges in your area? 

The British Au Pair Agencies Association can provide up to date information on the current requirement and is certainly worth checking, before inviting an Au Pair to join your family. You can find further employment information on working, jobs and pensions via the gov.uk website.

Further considerations

For many families who do not require full-time childcare but do require part-time help with the children and light housework, an Au Pair can be a good choice. Not only will you enrich the life of a foreign young person through cultural exchange, but very often, the relationships that are built in the process can continue for a lifetime. An Au Pair becomes part of the family when they travel to live abroad with a host family. It is important to remember too that your Au Pair may feel homesick at times so it can be helpful to look into local Au Pair groups or online forums where your Au Pair can meet others which will make the transition that much easier for all concerned.

It is also worth noting that an Au Pair should not be expected to carry out heavier housework duties such as gardening, washing upholstery and carpets, cleaning windows, washing the car or doing ironing and bed changing for parents. Use your discretion when compiling a to-do list. Are you expecting too much at the risk of not finding or retaining a suitable Au Pair? Keep in mind that you will have put in a lot of effort to find your ideal Au Pair so it is important that you keep to the agreement made and offer competitive duties and pocket money so that your Au Pair doesn’t decide to look for a new host family if she’s unhappy.

Your Au Pair should be allowed to return home to visit family and friends each year, at her expense. The current recommendation is that you offer at least 28 days paid holiday. Bank holidays should be treated as such and the Au Pair can either have the day off or another day off in lieu of the bank holiday worked.

It is not recommended that Au Pairs take continuous sole charge of children under two years of age. While you can expect up to two evenings babysitting per week, your Au Pair should be paid extra for any additional evenings worked.

If your Au Pair is expected to drive, it is your responsibility to ensure that she is allowed to do so on her current driving licence. Make sure that your insurance provider is notified and be confident that your Au Pair is capable and responsible driving in the UK prior to allowing her to take your vehicle. Take a drive together so that you can show your Au Pair the local area and have the opportunity to evaluate her driving skills.