What would you class me as?

[ELLNEW1698]

I am 17 and in full time education I look after two boys aged 8 and 10 both with autism usually two days per week for a few hours. This can be Thursdays anytime from 4 - 11, Saturdays anytime up until 11 and Sundays. I am not qualified, I took a crash first aid course with my school and have an Autism awareness diploma. I get paid £5 an hour. I am really confused as to what I would class myself, as I put the boys food on, play with them, take them to the park, soft play. Can anyone help me??

When I do get bruises it is by accident they don't mean to and I am on my own the majority of the time however the boys are for the most part well behaved.

I'd say you were a Nanny.

I pay a local 15 year old (a junior leader from DD's Rainbows group) £5/hour to look after 5 yo DD and then-6 yo DS on odd days when I work from home over the school holidays. I would class her as a babysitter, despite the daytime hours, as she's not really in sole charge (except maybe the odd short trip out to the park) and I prepare lunch and snacks for them all.

You sound fantastic btw, good luck with your studies!

I called it babysitting when I did it, but the children were you nger and it was usually early evening. I did some in the daytime when their mum was at home, although I'd take the children to the park on my own etc - I would call that mother's helper. It think you could sell this as nannying though. Either way, I earned £4-5 per hour for less responsibility and this was 15 years ago, so I do think you could earn more.

Thank you sitsonfence and wiIdfire

You are 17 so you are being well paid over nmw - which is £3.81 - so yes you may think you are being underpaid but you aren't for your age

You Havnt any childcare quals and although you are doing some daytime care I would call you a babysitter tho others may say nanny

Whoops hit send

As 4/8 thur so more of babysitting role tho obv weekend work you do all day on a Saturday

Where are the parents?

And yes it is a lot for you to take on 2 boys with autism when you are only 7yrs older then them

Parents go out whether its to run errands or go out for day trips stuff like that I have never felt my age is a problem more the lack of predictability that goes with the job, their moods can change in a flash.

You sound like a home child carer to me.
Is the Advanced Diploma / Cert HE in Special Educational Needs from Leeds Becket the one you have?

No its from the online academy I took it in my spare time last year.

I used to look after a boy with autism in the school holidays when I was 16/17 and he was 9/10. I worked 8-6 every day in the half terms and summer. I really enjoyed it, wasn't paid much but then I was only a school kid so I wouldn't expect to be.