WHY AN AU-PAIR?
An Au-Pair is a female or male aged usually between 17 and 27 who comes to the United Kingdom primarily to learn the English language and to live for a while as a member of a resident, English-speaking family. She/he should receive pocket money of at least L50 per week. She/he is expected to help with the housework and take care of any children. Her great advantage to a family is in her being educated,eager to learn, yet prepared to work for less money than would be expected by a professional from the UK. For these reasons she needs to be treated with consideration and helped to pursue her aims.
She/he must be provided with her own bedroom and full board, but it would undoubtedly be appreciated if the room is regarded as private, (e.g. free from intrusions by children), also having a TV, desk or table where she/he can work. Finding time to talk, making the effort to introduce her to English people of her /his own age and taking her/him with you on family outings where possible (provided that no cost to her is involved) would also be greatly appreciated. Au-pairs are also entitled to 1 week paid holiday for every 6 month placement.
The relationship between the Au-pair and the hostess is a personal one depending for it's success both on the willingness of the hostess to help the Au-pair in their studies and recreation and on the readiness for the Au-pair to play the part in the life of the household. The arrangement should not be confused with a "boss" and employee relationship.

THE DUTIES OF THE AU-PAIR
An Au-pair guest may be expected to perform domestic tasks (including childcare) or to be on call for household duties for up to five hours daily (25 hours per week). In addition Au-pair may also be expected to baby-sit for up to two nights a week. Au-pair should be given at least two days a week free. It is important that the "free time" should be genuinely free, that the Au-pair should be able to study, meet her friends and to go sight-seeing and to concerts, cinemas etc. and that she/he should have the time and opportunity for religious observance.
In return for hospitality and pocket money an Au-pair is expected to help her hostess with household duties on a partnership basis and to do her share of any kind of housework which the hostess herself undertakes. Where however the hostess employs other help for the heavier chores, she/he should expect the Au-Pair only to help with such jobs as basic cleaning, washing, ironing, hoovering, light shopping, walking the dog, helping prepare meals etc.. She/he should not be asked to do heavy housework.
In our experience many Au-pairs leave families because they feel they are being taken advantage of so we recommend a work schedule being written so both you and your Au-pair know exactly where you stand.

THE BOND BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR AU-PAIR
The au-pair is mainly there to experience life in an English family and treating her as one of the family will bode greatly on your working relationship