1. Au pair duties
2. Travel arrangements
3. Support after arrival
4. Terms and conditions of business
5. Registration

IES Au Pairs is a well known agency with many years experience of successfully placing au pairs not just in the UK but throughout the world. We match au pairs to families based on various criteria: childcare, management of light household duties, how well we expect them to fit into family life, independence, interests and other aspects of personality. We take up references and ask au pairs to provide a signed statement of good medical health.

When providing clients with au pair details wee try to match au pair and family interests and requirements and also ask clients to provide information to assist in the matching process. We deal with both female and male au pair placements.

In order to re-assure au pairs about the families they are coming to live with, we ask clients to provide a reference, wherever possible, either written or verbal, from a previous au pair or nanny. This enables the new au pair to speak to a previous au pair and discuss any relevant issues that may have arisen during their stay.

Many of our au pairs have a very good knowledge of English before they arrive, particularly those that originate from Scandinavia or Holland.

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An au pair is a single person who wishes to improve their English and live as part of an English-speaking family. Au pairs can be expected to do a mixture of childcare and light housework, working up to 5 hours a day. They are not trained nannies and should not be left in sole charge of babies for long periods. In addition they can expect to do about two evenings a week babysitting. Free time should be given daily for study or to pursue personal interests and they must have two days a week completely free. Most families do not usually ask an au pair to work weekends apart from babysitting. Au pairs should not be asked to baby-sit every Saturday, although one evening per weekend is not unreasonable. (Information based on UK Home Office Regulations for au pairs).

If there is additional work during school holidays, this should be made clear at the time of making the offer and reasonable additional pocket money can be expected in return for this.

During free time the au pair should be made to feel welcome as a member of the family. Usually, once they have found their feet they will want to be with their own friends during their free time. Initially they may need more looking after to avoid feeling isolated and uncomfortable.

We suggest pocket money of a minimum £50 per week. Some families give additional benefits, such as help with language tuition, use of a car or travel pass. The payment can depend on the level of responsibility given to the au pair.

It is recognised that these are only guidelines and that the situation differs from family to family. Individual requirements can be discussed when you register with the agency and we aim to match these requirements with a suitable au pair.

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Au pairs normally pay their own return fare to Britain and are asked to inform the family about traveling arrangements. Wherever possible, we recommend that the family meet the au pair at the airport or station. Whilst in most cases arrangements will be made directly with the family, the Agency can help liaise if requested, to avoid confusion.

Families must provide au pairs with a letter of invitation, which should be copied to the Agency. Au Pairs from non-EEC countries will be required to register with the Aliens Registration Office and pay a small fee shortly after arrival, if they are staying more than 6 months.

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1. A fee of £145 + VAT is payable for all bookings of less than three months duration. For all bookings of three months duration or more a fee of £285 + VAT is payable. We will not be able to confirm the booking of the au pair until full payment is received. The fee payable must be sent to the Agency with the letter of invitation.

2. Should, within the first 21 day period following arrival, the au pair prove to be unsuitable, the Agency will provide a replacement as soon as possible at no additional cost to the Client. This offer is subject to there being no change to the Clients requirements set out in the Client Registration Form and the Client notifying the Agency in writing within the 21 day period, clearly stating the reasons for the unsuitability of the au pair. Should the Agency fail to find a replacement within a 30 day period, a full refund will be made to the Client.

3. Should the au pair fail to take up the position, a replacement au pair will be found by the Agency or a full refund made to the Client.

4. Client’s rights to refunds are dependent upon prompt payment of the Agency’s invoice. If payment of our invoice is not received within 14 days of the invoice date, no refunds will be payable.

5. Although the Agency will endeavour to introduce suitable applicants, it is the Clients responsibility to ensure the suitability of the applicant prior to engagement.

6. The Agency does not accept responsibility or liability for any damage, loss, costs or injury resulting from an introduction by the Agency to the Client.

7. The Agency shall not be liable or responsible for any breach by the au pair of the terms of employment or for any other act or omission whether wilful, negligent or otherwise.

8. Should a Client introduce our au pairs to a third party resulting in the engagement of that au pair the Client will be liable to pay the full fee for that engagement.

9. Should the Client cancel the booking after the au pair has been engaged and prior to arrival at the Client's home, a cancellation fee of £140+VAT will become payable to cover the Agency’s costs.

10. The Client will notify the Agency of any changed circumstances or changes to their requirements and discuss the issues and possible implications with the au pair and the Agency without delay.

11. Upon the arrival of the au pair with the Client it shall be agreed that the termination notice required will be two weeks by either party. In the event of serious misconduct by one of the parties, the other party shall be entitled to terminate the agreement with immediate effect provided that, in the event of the misconduct being on the part of the au pair, the Client shall be responsible for providing appropriate accommodation for a period of four days from the date of termination.

12. The Agency reserves the right to remove an au pair from the Client in the event of non-compliance to the guidelines or terms and conditions of business or for giving false information when registering. In these cases, no refund will be paid.

13. These terms and conditions are deemed to have been accepted by the Client upon completion of the registration process.

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