What does a nanny agency actually do?

[Blueskythinker]

I have previously recruited my nannies directly. Have had a childcare disaster this week, so we have an interview with a nanny from an agency this afternoon. The agency charges a £300 placement fee, with no ongoing charges.

I was so filled with relief that someone was coming for interview, that I didn't ask what the agency actually does for the £300 fee.

Now my DH is giving me a hard time, asking me questions which I can't answer. And of course, it is Saturday, so agency is closed. So what would you normally expect from a nanny agency?

Do they do vetting? What about contracts of employment? What if the nanny doesn't work out - do they charge another fee, or would you expect a partial refund?

I'm afraid I am going to be plaguing the board with questions today. Off to write a question on childcare vouchers.

THe nanny agency fields calls from prospective nannies, who then fill in a form and send it back to the agency. Some agencies ask for CVs and copies of written references too. The agency would set in motion a CRB check. If the nanny isn't an obvious psychopath, they will start sending her out for interviews, and build a picture of her from the feedback for interviews. If she is offered a job, then they will check references and as long as they basically check out, they will ok her.

That's my experience as a nanny, with the exception of 2 agencies, who do the following:

1.also demand to meet and interview nannies in person - not all agencies do this, check with the nanny

2.personally and thoroughly check all refs before they let the nanny go on their books, also get CRB in place

3.make sure the nanny and family have a phone conversation before the interview

4.actively recruit nannies, instead of just waiting for them to respond to adverts.

I am registered with lots of agencies (as a nanny) and they have all interviewed me in person, verbally checked every ref i have, gone through my CV with a "fine toothed comb" and asked about any gaps. Most also insist on a current CRB and first aid. Some also ask you to get public liabilty insurance.

Most agencies won't send out any nanny that hasn't had at least some of their refs checked.

That wasn't my experience round my way, phraedd. I think it's always worth checking references in person, and not relying on an agency.

Or maybe I've 'trustworthy' and 'diligent' written all over me

I think what an agency does will vary quite a bit from agency to agency. Legally, there is legislation in place (for example, The Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003), which should result in agencies doing certain things - like physically meeting candidates prior to sending them for interviews - but not all agencies may comply with legislation.
My experience with agencies has been that they ALWAYS meet me, prior to sending my details to clients. At that meeting with agency, the agency confirms details I have completed on registration form, sees and takes a copy of ID documents, certificates, latest CRB check etc. They then chat generally about what I am looking for, my style of childcare, what I will and won't do, that sort of thing.

In my view, an agency should be checking candidates suitability - so reference checking, qualification checking, making sure they have a CRB check, Ofsted registration that sort of thing. Then I feel the agency should be matching candidates to jobs - not just sending out candidates details to every parent who makes an enquiry.

Agencies may advise you about contracts of employement (written statement), some may provide specimen contract. Some may even write up a contract for you. Probably best though to do it yourself, using a template as a starting point if necessary, and just asking the agency for general advice - or just ask on here

If the nanny does not work out, in my experience many agencies have a sliding scale of fees, with regard to refund. I would expect most agencies will try to find you a replacement. Details of refunds should be in the agencies terms and conditions.
For example, one agency I located online had the following scale of refund fees:
Up to 1 week - 75% Up to 2 weeks - 60%
Up to 3 weeks - 50% Up to 4 weeks - 40%
Up to 5 weeks - 30% Up to 6 weeks - 20%
Up to 7 weeks - 15% Up to 8 weeks - 10%

How has the interview with the nanny, sent by the agency gone this afternoon?

The agencies I have used in the past have not be good. For example, CRB had not even progressed and gaps in employment not been explored. Yet they still wanted to get paid close to £3000! If anyone has had experience with a good/great agency who places candidates in central London pls let me know.
Thanks

All, thanks for this. Actually, the lady from the nanny agency unexpectedly called immediately before the nanny's interview - and I was able to ask her some questions prior to seeing the nanny - if the nanny doesn't work out, she will replace her for free - she also provides sick cover for free! Not bad

I am really shocked by some of the amounts mentioned on here for nanny agencies - I think we are pretty lucky! Although we are in the wilds of NI, so that is probably why it is so cheap.

The interview with the nanny went OK. She isn't at all like our previous nanny (the one before the Hungarian who did the runner), and it is hard not to make comparisons. Both me & DH thought she didn't seem to interact with the children that much, however I think this could be down to interview nerves - I called one of her previous employers, and she said the nanny was absolutely wonderful - she really waxed lyrical about her! I think we will offer her the position - she is extremely experienced, and professional, which are qualities I like!

IMO a nanny agency does nothing you cant do yourself for the price of a few phone calls!

Can you ask her back for a second interview, where she spends more time with the children? I'm a bit surprised by the lack of interaction... but then again, I probably do things differently to other people... when I meet a new family, one of the things I quickly do, is sit myself on the floor and interact with the children.

Sick cover for free is a good perk... but what is meant by free? I expect that is just finding someone for free... rather than that the agency actually pay that person.

At interview I have to conciously remind myself not to play with the children, which has led to issues in the past where I've had to practically ignore the kids in order to focus on the parents because they want to talk to me and had feedback from the agency that I didn't interact with the children enough. That may have been what she's done.

Does that make any sense?