Home Assistant
Do you need an extra pair hands at home to help with all sorts of errands ?
What is a Home Assistant?
A Home Assistant is a foreign person who wants to come to the UK to
learn English and learn about the culture by living as part
of the family. A Home Assistant will live with your family and in return for board and lodging, will help ease the burden of a busy family household by carrying out tasks and errands you never seem to have time for. The Home Assistant expect to have the time to find a job outside of the home as well so the hours should be flexible in order to allow them to combine both jobs.
A Home Assistant will be educated to at least A-Level, have a least a basic level in English and a little experience in the domain you require.
What is a Home Assistant's role?
A Home Assistant can carry out any of the following tasks within your home :
- Housework & other domestic duties (ironing, shopping, cooking etc)
- Gardening
- Odd jobs around the house
- French lessons
- Running errands such as dropping the dry cleaning off, picking up the children from school
- Caring for pets
A Home Assistant should be included in family activities including most
mealtimes and some outings. They will expect to be treated as a
family member and not an employee. This is essential not only if the placement is to succeed but in order to comply with Employment Law.
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About the Home Assistant's work conditions
What are the recommended hours and pocket money?
Number of hours per week Weekly Pocket Money 16 hours over 5 days Full Board & Lodging + £0.00 24 hours over 5 days Full Board & Lodging + £49.50 32 hours over 5 days Full Board & Lodging + £93.50
Days off/Holiday : Two Full days off per week.
One week's paid holiday every 6 months.
Optional Benefits Use of a car - pay as you go mobile phone -
help with cost of language lessons etc.
These benefits are all optional and not expected by the Home Assistants.
What can the family ask a Home Assistant to do?
The Home Assistant will expect to become a member of the family - they should eat with the family and take part in leisure activities. Provided this is respected, the family can ask the Assistant to carry out a range of different tasks. It is important to specify these tasks and to outline a detailed job description prior to the assistant starting to avoid any misunderstandings or disagreements.
The most common duties include French lessons, housekeeping, babysitting, petcare, gardening, odd jobs around the house and even waiting in for the delivery man!
What can't the family ask a Home Assistant to do?
A Home Assistant doesn't have childcare experience so isn't qualified to look after children.
The Host family must provide full board an lodging for the Home Assistant. They should have access to a bathroom but this does not have to be for their sole use. The Home Assistant should cover their travel costs. They are also responsible for their own washing and cleaning of their room.