Going rate for au pairs?

Counting_Pennies_2

From what I understand you can continue to pay an NI contribution when in a low paid job, you will need to check with the tax office.

Au Pairs typically are paid a pocket money allowance. It is more for the priviledge of living in a difference country, to practice the English language, and many go to college, either to better their English, or to study something else.

Most parents who have au pairs work or have large families. Help is often required for breakfast, school runs, after school care and bed time. The au pair will typically eat with the family, and most families will put a tv in the au pairs room so the parents can have some quiet time to themselves in the evening.

So you will need to look on this as experience in childcare, than paid employment.

daska

It's all changed relatively recently. 'Au-pair' is, or rather was, an Immigration category which is now covered by a something called the 'youth mobility scheme' which is only available to foreign nationals from Australia, New Zealand, Canada (and Japan?). You have to apply for permission, prove that you can support yourself and you're not allowed to change your immigration category or claim benefits while you're in the UK. In order to take a regular job you would have to leave the UK and apply for entrance under a different immigration category. But EU nationals can take au-pair positions (because they are free to travel within the EU for work, with various restrictions depending on the country they come from. So, the first thing is to work out whether you are constrained by any of the above.

An au-pair contract falls outside employment law (or at least used to, I'm not 100% sure now) but if you didn't fall within the rules governing au-pair placements you could be classed as a domestic servant and be covered by standard employment law including minimum holiday, minimum wage, ees and ers contributions etc. Ditto if you took an additional part time job. So the next thing to establish is exactly how many hours, what the pay is etc.

The only people who can confirm exactly what your position would be are the HMRC. Give them a ring, they're very helpful.

sprinkleglitter

Looking into it a bit more, I guess I will technically be 'just a friend' doing bits and bobs round the house and being given spends, rather than being an employee. I *think* this should mean that if it comes to an end, as a UK citizen in UK, I should be able to go straight onto JSA if I need to?? I can't see me needing to spend all the money either - I don't go out often and don't buy a lot of clothes - so should be able to save a little too. Seems a win/win situation to me:beer:

daska

That's exactly what an au-pair should be, a friend living as part of a family and helping out. Have fun

Mojisola

sprinkleglitter wrote: »

Looking into it a bit more, I guess I will technically be 'just a friend' doing bits and bobs round the house and being given spends, rather than being an employee. I *think* this should mean that if it comes to an end, as a UK citizen in UK, I should be able to go straight onto JSA if I need to?? I can't see me needing to spend all the money either - I don't go out often and don't buy a lot of clothes - so should be able to save a little too. Seems a win/win situation to me:beer:

Talk about what you will be expected to do and get it in writing. Also what the arrangements are if either of you want to change the situation. You'll be living in their house and don't want to end up homeless with no notice!

blue_mum

I think you're being employed as a mothers help, not an au-pair as you are working in your own country. Not sure on all the laws, but you do need to look into getting a contract/agreement of what is expected on both sides. also with the wages I think you can be paid minimum wage and they can then take reasonable amounts towards board etc. the HMRC web site might have more info. I'll try and have a look.