Aupair Plus: The working holidaymaker scheme.
The working holidaymaker scheme is an arrangement whereby a person aged between 17 and 30 (inclusive) can come to the United Kingdom for an extended holiday for up to two years, with the intention of taking paid work here as a part of her working holiday.
How do I qualify as a working holidaymaker?
You are eligible for entry clearance as a working holidaymaker if: - you are a Commonwealth citizen, British Dependent Territories citizen or British Overseas citizen;
- you are aged 17 to 30 (inclusive);
- you want to come to the United Kingdom for an extended holiday, with the intention of taking paid work here as part of your holiday;
- you are single or are married to a person who also qualifies for and plans to take a working holiday at the same time as you;
- you do not have any dependent children who are aged five years or over, or who will be five before you complete your holiday;
- you can support and accommodate yourself without help from public funds;
- you can pay for your onward or return journey; and
- you plan to leave the United Kingdom at the end of your holiday.
- You must get entry clearance as a working holidaymaker before you travel to the United Kingdom.
If you come to live or stay in the United Kingdom, you must be able to support and accommodate yourself without claiming certain state benefits. Staying with a host family as an au pair is an ideal way of doing this. You can only stay in the United Kingdom for two years as a working holidaymaker. You must apply for entry clearance to the British Embassy, High Commission or other British Diplomatic Mission (known as British Diplomatic Posts) in the country where you live.
Being an au pair An au pair is a single girl (or boy) who helps a host family with childcare and housework while staying as a guest with a host family, seeing the host country, meeting new people and learning the host language and customs. It also make a great base for your working holiday - staying with a family for a period of time and improving your language skills and knowledge of a country before traveling within the country your chose to au pair in. YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PROSPECTIVE FAMILY:
You will provided with free room, board and pocket money. You will have your own room with facility to study and is allowed free time each day at a time which is mutually convenient. The family should understand that it is essential that you are given consideration and respect and treated as a member of the family. You would normally take your meals with the family (or children) and be invited to share in recreational pursuits whenever possible. You are not expected to be a qualified child-minder nor domestic, and you should receive full instructions before being left in sole charge of the household or with children. Families will understand that during the initial period you will need time to adjust to your new environment and the family will be patient and sympathetic and will aim to build up a good relationship.
DUTIES:
You should make sure that you have be given full information about the family and her duties before she leaves her country to avoid any confusion. You are expected to help with the housework and the care of the children. Some training may be given if you require it.
WORKING HOURS:
Au pairs usually work 25 to 35 hours per week (but some may agree to do more for extra pocket money). Also you can expect 1 or 2 evenings baby-sitting a week providing it does not clash with any language classes. Baby sitting during the day is regarded as working time so any additional hours must be paid by agreement between those parties concerned.
FREE TIME:
You should expect to be given at least one and preferably two full days per week, plus free time during the day and some evenings, to allow you to attend classes and socialize with friends.
POCKET MONEY:
This amount is at the discretion of the host family, but is normally £55 per week. As a working holidaymaker it may be more but this is at the discretion of the family.
LANGUAGE CLASSES:
The cost of attending language classes is the responsibility of the au pair (except in USA). The family should help to find a suitable course and assist with the enrolment.
TRAVEL:
You will be responsible for your own travel expenses to your country, however it is understood if the host family cannot collect you from the arrival point of your entry into your country that the host will pre book and pay for their travel ticket to the town where you will be au pairing.
ABOUT THIS SERVICE:
This service is an introductory one - we help you make first contact with families from all over the world who you can stay with. We suggest that before committing yourself you talk to the family by phone and with referees by phone, letter or e-mail if you feel. It is much better that you do that than getting a third party to do it as it is part of building a personal relationship and understanding with the family. We also suggest that families and au pair each send each other photocopies of essential documents such the family contact and au pair passport details page before the au pair starts so that they can be assured that the contacts are as they expected. Start now - no cost - no commitment! Tell us about yourself and we will introduce you to families who would like you to stay with them. Chat to other au pairs worldwide on the new au pair chat forum | Register as an au pair Just fill in your details and be matched automatically with the best matches from hundreds of families ! Every time a new family joins who matches your needs you will be sent an e-mail telling you about them. Click on the link at the bottom of each message if you are interested in this family. IMPORTANT! Make sure that you fill in the correct details. Check carefully before you press submit. |
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