Au pair through family friend vs. agency?

[Quinquennial]

Hi

We've never had an au pair before but I'm looking into it before the birth of our third child.

We have a friends and family with contacts in South America, and I was wondering whether it would be better to ask around via those avenues for someone, who is potentially known to people we trust, or to go through an official agency, who will have structured arrangements and references etc.

My concern with a South American contact is that if it doesn't work out they will be a very long and expensive journey from home. Also well-meaning contacts might not know them that well.

My concern with an Agency person is they are totally unknown to us and won't know anyone at all here, or have any way of asking a trusted person about us.

Has anyone got any advice or experience? Thank you!

South Americans can't au pair in the UK, there is no entry route for them to obtain a VISA to work here unless they have dual nationality with an eligible country.

I've often been approached by S. Americans on au pair world who are convinced they can come here on a student visa, but in reality in order to even work 20 hours they would have to be on a degree course. A language course would only allow for up to 10 hours a week of work.

Thank you underneaththeash - that clears that up! I don't know anything about British visa rules...