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Which
young people are suitable to become AA Au Pairs?
AA will consider applications from all
young Romanians who can demonstrate that they have a loving and caring
attitude towards people and who speak some English and wish to improve
it.
Graduates whose study has involved elements
of child development (e.g. psychology, sociology, medicine, health studies,
teaching, social work); languages (especially English); and law. You may
wish to consider taking a break in your education after completing your
first degree before starting a Masters. A period as an au pair in the
UK may improve opportunities for permanent employment in occupations where
there are shortages in the UK.
How does AA work?
AA works with partners based in Bucharest,
Cluj and Iasi. These partners have been friends and colleagues of AA for
over four years. Unlike other recruiting agencies AA makes no charges
to applicants. Partners receive a proportion of the fee received by AA
from host families.
Once you have applied to be considered
as an au pair in the UK you will be contacted by your local agent who
will assess your suitability; collect and verify documentation; and place
you on a register of available au pairs. Don't be surprised if you get
a phone call from the UK or a sms asking you to check your E mail. AA
works very efficiently!
In
the United Kingdom AA has agents (a number are Romanian) located in London,
Cambridge, Suffolk, Norfolk, Oxford, Cardiff and a growing list of other
locations. UK agents will match you with a host family and deal with practical
arrangements for the commencement of placements. Agents are available
to offer advice and support to both the Au Pair and the family during
the settling in period of the placement.
What does “Au-Pair” actually mean?
The word “au-pair” derives from the French expression “at par”, which
means “equal to” or “on equal terms”. An Au-Pair comes to live as part
of the family, and is treated as a family member, in the sense that they
eat with the family, have their own bedroom and take part in the occasional
family outing and sometimes holiday. In return, the Au-Pair is usually
expected to take on certain duties to help out the family.
What can an Au Pair be expected to do?
The day-to-day work of an Au-Pair depends
on the nature and lifestyle of the host family. However, their duties
generally include:
* looking after children, which may involve
supervising and accompanying them to nursery, school or certain events;
* going for walks or playing with them,
as well as occasional evening baby-sitting;
* light housework and help with keeping
the apartment or home tidy, for example help with washing and ironing,
vacuuming, dusting and bed making;
* preparing breakfast and simple meals
for children;
* looking after pets;
Au Pairs are not trained nannies and should
not be left in sole charge of babies for long periods. AA does not place
Au Pairs with families where the Au Pair will have sole charge of children
under the age of 3 years on a regular basis . Families should be looking
for someone with qualifications and training if this is a requirement.
Will I be expected to drive?
Having a driving licence can be helpful
to both you and the family. If you have access to a car you have greater
mobility which is almost a necessity if placed in an area where there
is little access to public transport.
Au Pairs may be asked to drive children
to and from school. If you say you are prepared to do this, you must be
a confident driver with a clean record. AA asks that the family arrange
for you to have lessons to assist with adapting to driving in the UK before
doing this. You should also make sure that the family has you insured
to drive their car. This is their responsibility – not yours.
How much time is involved in such duties and responsibilities?
Au pairs can expect to undertake a mixture
of childcare and light housework, working up to 5 hours a day. 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. This information is based on Home Office Regulations
regarding 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. Initially they may need
more looking after to avoid feeling isolated and uncomfortable. . Once
they have found their feet they will want to be with their own friends
during their free time. AA agents will assist au pairs to meet other Romanian
au pairs who are placed locally or elsewhere in the UK.
What are the financial implications of becoming an Au Pair?
Au
Pairs are expected to meet their own visa costs and the cost of getting
to the UK. If you cannot afford to fly you may wish to go by coach – Eurolines
for example. The cheapest option is to travel by train or coach to Trieste
or another Italian destination serviced by Ryan Air
from where you can fly to the UK for no more than thirty pounds stirling.
Once you have arrived at the nearest airport or major town/city to your
host family they will either meet you personally or make arrangements
for your travel to their home. Host families are required to meet the
cost of your travel back home once you have successfully completed your
placement. If for some reason you do not complete your placement the cost
of getting back to Romania is your responsibility.
You will receive a minimum of Ł45
per week from your host family. This will be set out in a contract. Host
families are asked to pay for the cost of English language tuition. Families
may also voluntarily offer further financial assistance but this is an
arrangement between you and them.
How do I qualify to come to the United
Kingdom as an au pair?
You will need to show that:
* You are seeking entry to take up an
arranged au pair placement; and
* You are a national of one of the countries
included in the scheme; and
* You are aged at least 17 and no more
than 27, and you are unmarried; and
* You have no dependants; and
* You do not intend to stay in the United
Kingdom for more than two years as an au pair; and
You intend to leave the
United Kingdom on completion of your stay as an au pair.
Are there any difficulties in getting
an Au Pair Visa?
AA’s Romanian partners will assist preparing
you for your visa application. You will have to attend the British Embassy
to make an application and to pay the fee which is currently Ł37.
Check by phoning the Visa section or going to the web site reccomended
by us in our LINKS page their requirements before
going and take the necessary documents with you including your educational
certificates and work book. Make sure you complete the application form
correctly. You will then have an interview with a Vice Consul.
It is essential that you are able to explain
WHY you want to improve your English; HOW improved English
fits into your career plans and will improve your job opportunities WHEN
returning to Romania after completion of your period in the UK.
Can I move to another
host family?
You may change families provided the new
arrangements continue to meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules.
Once I am in the
UK, can I extend my stay as an Au Pair?
If you are currently working as an Au
Pair in accordance with the Rules and were given permission to stay for
less than 2 years, you can apply to extend your stay up to a maximum of
two years in total.
What do I do next?
If you are genuinely interested in becoming
an Au Pair and are convinced that you meet the criteria please complete
the Au Pair Registration Form.
Once you have done that send some pictures
of yourself (preferably with children) and a Dear Host Family letter that
explains a little more about your background and motivation for being
an au pair to charles.bell2@btopenworld.com
Once this has been received AA can circulate your details to potential
host families. You will also be placed on an au pair E-mailing list and
will receive, amongst other things, details of potential new placements.
To find out more about the UK and
for up to date visa information take
a look at our LINKS page!
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