justaupairs.co.uk

[henryhsmum]

Has anyone used justaupairs.co.uk?

I just spoke to the lady there and she seemed very helpful and sensible but I'd be keen to hear from anyone who has used them and how you found them?

I have used them on several occasions, not the cheapest, but all the girls I have had have been excellent. I found Samantha really helpful.

Punchy terms of business though Lizcat. Have you noticed this bit below?

Not suggesting for a moment an AP should be made homeless even after a misdeed but would wnat to pin down exactly what they had in mind in terms of an ongoing obligation to them and the AP? Could they reject my Ryanair flight home offer and drive to the airport? How are they going to enforce that police nonesense as well - love the proliferation of caps here.

"...All Au Pairs should be given 14 days notice. No refund or replacement will be given if the Host Family ask
the Au Pair to leave without 14 days notice being given.. However any serious misconduct (this is at the absolute discretion of the Agency)
on the part of the Au Pair allows the Host Family to terminate her employment immediately, however an Au Pair must be helped to find
somewhere to stay by the Host Family in these circumstances. There can be no justification in making an Au Pair homeless by making the
Au Pair leave the family home immediately.

A Host Family will be liable for any costs incurred by the Au Pair or Agency for
accommodation/travel until a suitable alternative arrangement can be made. The Au Pair must always be given enough notice to find alternative accommodation.

IF THERE ARE ANY ALLEGATIONS WHATSOEVER MADE OF AN ILLEGAL NATURE, BY EITHER THE HOST FAMILY OR THE AU PAIR THEN WE INSIST THAT THE POLICE AND
OURSELVES BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY."

I've just looked at my terms from Abacus. Much more sensible - no suggestion that they are involved in settling what constitutes gross misconduct and stipuate 48 hours worth of accommodation elsewhere, which I think is fair for someone truly guilty of gross.

If you hire an AP from this Just Au Pairs I would have a tight contract in place with the AP and also enquire from someone whose contract yours or the agency's would prevail in the event of a dispute. I wouldn't sign their terms personally.

No I don't think they would have had a problem with what you did, you never left your AP in an unsafe position.
However, having picked up the pieces after a host family locked out an AP out of the house, I think some host families forget that many of these girls are young and vulnerable. So I feel the punchy terms of business serve to remind some families to behave.

We've never had to do that, but that would be my strategy I suspect. Just a bit worried about them feeling able to take a view on whether whatever gross misconduct terms I agreed with my AP would gel with theirs and what they'd do if not.

I would also be very wary about using their contract, particularly the parts Harriet picked out.

Fistly it's up to the employer to decide what gross misconduct is.

Secondly they have no right to be notified in the event of a criminal investigation.

Thirdly if you want to fire the au pair you don't want to be responsible for 2 weeks keep when the legal minimum notice is 1 week! 1 week pay in lieu is fine. Paying for a flight home and a lift to the airport is discharging any responsibility you have to them.

I can see I'll have to be careful! I'll speak to abacus too. Are there any other agencies you would recommend? In a way we have quite specific needs as my son is autistic so I'd be particularly interested in agencies where they play a more involved role in selecting the au pair rather than ones where u just browse yourself

Hi henryhsmum - As I said to you on the other mesage thread, I'd recommend 1st Choice Au Pairs. They are very thorough in identifying requirements and do use psychometric testing to identify a certain type of candidate (i..e more independent, more emotionally stable etc). The calibre of candidate they have is very high and browsing through them, there are a couple that may be suitable for your situation..

27 year old psychologist

25 years old also with good experience

I have phoned them for an aupair, but only got 3 files to look at, when I asked to have a look at some others I did not hear from them again. When I phoned the office at 4pm there was no answer so decided to use somebody else. the fees are too expensive for me anyway, nearly £500 and only one months trial, after 1 month you will not be entitled to a free replacement so would not recommend them .. there are lots of other aupair agencies, the terms are moreless the same, only the fees varies

Not sure if your mesage is a reply to me Paulinaanddavid as it is from October...? Are you talking about 1st Choice, Abacus or Just Au Pairs. Terms bvary a lot actually between agencies - I always get 90 days guarantee from 1st Choice as I use their psychometric service which I think is worthwhile.

its regarding Justaupairs, sorry

90 days is great, most of them do only 30 days ...

i used aupair-world.net
and i have found it fab.. no agency costs.... it was recomended to me by an aupair, and i got my current auapair from there....
i went live on 23dec.. and appoint 2nd week in jan and in that time i had 150 applications to be our aupair...