Here you find information about pocket money, working hours and more information concerning your au pair placement.
In the UK, there is no official au pair programme anymore. EU-und EFTA citizens as well as citizens of other specific countries may nevertheless work as an au pair in the UK: as a "regular" au pair or an au pair plus. Both types differ from each other with regard to working hours for instance. For a better overview, we have displayed both of them in a table.
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Au Pair
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Au Pair Plus
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Duties
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As an au pair, you are primarily responsible for looking after the children. Besides childcare, helping with the household chores is part of your duties.
Clarify with your host family, what your exact duties as an au pair would be. It is also recommended that these duties are well defined in the au pair contract (please also have a look at: Do not forget: contract, insurance, & Co.).
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Pocket Money
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An au pair normally gets 55 GBP per week. Board and lodging are free. In some official sources 40 to 60 GBP is stated. |
According to some sources, an au pair receives 60-75 GBP per week. Others state that the au pair receives the regular pocket money for the first 25 hours. Each addtional hour is to be paid extra. |
Board and Lodging
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Besides pocket money, you get free board and lodging. You are still entitled to board and lodging in cases of illness and during your holiday. |
Working Hours
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An au pair normally works 25 hours per week. |
Under the au pair plus programme, an au pair weekly works approx. 35 hours. |
Time Off
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An au pair is entitled to 1 day off per week. This day should be on a Sunday at least once every month.
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Holiday
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There are no consistent regulations concerning the au pair holiday. You should clarify with your host family how much holiday you will be entitled to. Our recommendation: an au pair gets four weeks holiday provided that he/she stays in the hosting country for 12 months. Au pairs and host families can take this value as a basis for calculating the amount of holiday in case of shorter placements.
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Language Course
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As an au pair, you should be given the possibility to attend an English language course. Usually, you bear the cost for it yourself. Ask your host family if they can help you find proper offers within their area. |
Termination
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The legal period of notice is 14 days. Both the au pair and the host family need this time in order to find a replacement or organise the return trip. |
More information for au pairs in the host country UK:
Information for host families in the UK
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[Last update: July 2011]
