BAPAA is the only recognised Trade Association for the au pair industry in Britain. This organisation was formed on a non-commercial basis with the purpose of setting standards for the au pair industry and protecting the au pair experience as a rewarding cultural exchange programme.
Members must meet firm business and ethical standards and, in turn, agree to abide by BAPAA's code of conduct, which signifies competence, fair dealing and high integrity.
Are you seeking an au pair?
If you are a host family seeking an au pair, please contact one of our member agencies.
Would you like to be an au pair?
Whether you are a young British person wishing to be an au pair in Europe or the USA, or coming from abroad wanting to be au pair in Britain, your first contact should be with an au pair agency in your own country. Please see our page How to apply?
Warning! Protect Yourself! 
If you see a website of an agency not listed here, displaying the BAPAA logo, claiming to be a member, or claiming that they 'abide by the guidelines of BAPAA or IAPA' (the International Au pair Agencies Association), exercise caution; this agency may be deliberately misleading you with this information. Please tell BAPAA or IAPA about any websites acting in this way.
It has come to BAPAA’s attention that there are some very disreputable internet sites operating from outside the UK – they are promising opportunities that do not actually exist and requesting money under false pretences. We urge you to carefully research an internet agency before using them or paying them any fees!
Always use a reputable and established au pair agency.
Newspaper, internet advertisements or one of the many web-based matching services may appear to be acceptable and inexpensive alternatives for securing an au pair placement. There are, however, potential risks in arranging a placement in this manner.
10 potential risks you face when not using a reputable and established au pair agency:
- high probability of unsuitable au pair or host family candidates
- absence of a written contract
- little or no experience in the au pair industry
- lack of professionalism or financial stability
- non-existent standards or guidelines
- insufficient references and/or medical certification
- danger of document falsification
- no re-match policy (secondary placement) if the initial placement is unsuccessful
- no local support during the placement
- limited understanding of national au pair regulations, which changed in 2008 with the implementation of the new Youth Mobility Scheme. For many nationalities it is now impossible to take up an au pair position in the UK!
