Au Pair Contracts

[Millarkie]

Does anyone use a contract for au pairs rather than than a 'handbook'? With the change in visa status (and after recent mumsnet threads) I want to have a contract with the next au pair. Can anyone point me in the direction of an example contract?
I used the aupair-world one with our first au pair but it doesn't really cover the important things (holidays/notice period etc) - and I have a copy of the nannyjob nanny contract but that seems a bit OTT for an au pair (and doesn't cover the live-in aspect).
Thanks

You contract can be as simple as a written statement - see ACAS guidelines here and then you can add anything you want to it.

A contract for an AP, or at least a written statement of employment is now a legal requirement.

Bump - in case anyone can point me in the direction of an example contract specifically for au pairs..something that includes having visitors stay over and acceptable use of the car would be good (and not creating artistic sculpture from firewood )
Thinking of putting in a formal review period (maybe after the first month) but not sure how to phrase that either.

I think DadInsteadOfMum has contracts for his APs

Hi I have an au pair agreement. This is drawn up like a contract but is not really legally binding but it sets expectations. Mine outlines our obligations and then hers. it also talks about what is in our eyes gross misconduct which will result in immediate dismissal without notice, its based on family experience ie you have said you are in good health and now we find you have a mental illness, you smoke after declaring you are a non smoker, you drink over 14 units of alcohol in a week after declaring you are a light drinker/teetotal , you have downloaded porn on our laptop etc. I don't know how to CAT anyone but you are all welcome to a copy if you email me at Juliettedotlockstone(at)btinternet.com

Hello did somebody mention me.

I do have a contract it is the APW one (which is out of date as it is based on the old au apir visa contract) but then tweaked for things like notice period (also following recent threads thinking of adding a holiday clause).

CAT me for a copy.

I'm sure nannynick must have one. The thing about contracts, as I understand it, is that they are supposed to be legally binding. But how legal can you be about things if, for example, your contract states 2 weeks' notice from each side and your AP wants to leave in a week's time? She could just do a bunk, or be so miserable & useless for her final week that you might as well let her go.

We are hoping to go aupairless after present one leaves, as youngest DS now 11 and off to secondary school in September. I'm sure force of habit will have me back on these threads, so I'll let you know how I get on!

You can use a very brief contract and state that the "handbook" where you probably include things like car usage etc, forms part of the contract,

I'm in the same situation as Milarkie; the nannyjob one seems a bit ott and doesn't deal with the 'part of the family aspect' but I can't find anything more suitable.

Julesnobrain do you mind if I email you to have a look at the agreement you use? I would be very grateful.

Thanks all.
DIOM and Jules - will be emailing you - thanks

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