Child care for tweenager?

[JTHS]

We have been through the full time live in professional nanny and then au pair route but now our child is older and more independent we are beginning to think we need something else.
We both work full time and although child has long school days he still needs someone at home when he comes in to chat to, maybe make some food and generally be there. There is also the issue of the long holidays.
We have been thinking about getting a student (say a PHD) to come and live with us to help out a bit and just be there in exchange for room and food. Has anyone else tried this and do you have any ideas how we might find suitable candidates?

What age is your son? What kind of hours do you need?

So you don't want to pay a wage to this PHD student, just room and food?

How old is child?

How many hours are you expecting?

Where do you live? (Relevant as it will determine how much room is worth, and how many likely candidates you would have)

Our local university has a jobs notice board where you can advertise free for a month. It is one of the largest teacher training schools in the UK.

I have just tried this for maternity cover for our nanny over the summer holidays. I should say I am offering a paid role.... No reply so far.

Jths would you consider a housekeeper person. We had a lady who was in her late 50's. Kids all grown up and gone and she would come in an hour before kids come in from school and cook the dinner , do ironing and some light housework. She then supervised dinner and made sure she started homework. She would leave then as I would come home. During hols she would come for a few hours around 11 and then stay till 3 but I would work shorter hours some days but the kids like the few hours independence at that stage. I paid her 10 per hour. My dd who is 17 is going to be a companion this summer for neighbours 11 year old dd for 6 hours every day. She is excited and will be getting £6.50 per hour.

Thanks for the ideas. Our son is 12 so not completely ready to be on his own but also doesn't need full time supervision. The housekeeper idea is possibly the answer and will look into that. Will also have a look round the local universities and see if they have boards to advertise on.