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Invitation Letter
After a Family and Au Pair have agreed to an engagement in principle, the Family sets out more details in an “Invitation Letter to the Au Pair”, which would normally contain the following items:
The Family should specify the hours of work they require per week from the Au Pair, typically Au Pairs expect to work up to 25 hours per week. However, Au Pairs can work longer and this is subject to discussion and agreement between the Family and the Au Pair.
Duties Required
The Family should specify the types of tasks they expect the Au Pair to undertake. Families should consider the typical types of tasks for an Au Pair, which are described in the Matching Expectations section of our website.
Pocket Money or Allowance
The Family should specify the “Pocket Money” or weekly allowance that the Au Pair will receive. Typically, an Au Pair working up to 25 hours per week will receive between £65 and £70. If additional hours are to be worked, the Family should specify what payment will be received. For information, an Au Pair is exempt from the National Minimum Wage providing they live in the host family’s home and share in the household’s work and leisure activities.
Free Accommodation & Board
The Family must specify the details of the accommodation they will provide within their family home to the Au Pair free of charge. The Au Pair should be provided with their own private room, with a window and should not be required to share with children. The Family should also specify that free board will be provided, including meals on days when the Au Pair is not working.
Start Date, Duration of Engagement & Notice Period
The Family should the required start date and how long the engagement is for. The Family must also specify a paid notice period should either party want to terminate the engagement early. The Au Pair can terminate the engagement without notice on an unpaid basis.
Time Off and Paid Holiday
The Family must specify that the Au Pair will have 2 days off per week, when they will not be required to work and how these days will be chosen. An Au Pair could want these days to align with language classes, if they plan to take them.
The Family must also specify the Au Pair’s entitlement to paid Holidays, and state how it will be agreed when they can be taken or if there are any times that they cannot take them.
