The United Kingdom your ideal GAP YEAR or EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME

BE A HOUSEKEEPER OR A CARER IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

There's so much history and ancestry to explore and discover - the home of the Queen, castles, rolling English countryside, warm beer, country pub culture, fashion, theatre, markets, London with all its wonders. Oxford and Cambridge - university cities. Bath - with the still used ancient Roman baths said to have healing properties. The home of Jane Austin and the Bronte sisters, The Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Madame Tassaud's wax museum, central to the rest of Europe, an easy train or hovercraft ride for a fantastic European weekend.

JCR Intercultural Exchange Programs provide safe and secure placements and "in country" back up and support

House Keeper or Carer. Who may apply.  

Mainly females but males can apply.

Period of commitment: 6, 12, 24  month placements all year round.                           

Visa: 2 year Youth Mobility Visa age limit 18-30 incl. Only Australian, Canadian, New Zealand and Japanese passport holders may apply for this visa.
5 year Ancestral visa. No age limit
Right of Abode Visa. No age or length of stay limit
British /EU passport. No age or length of stay limit.

Ancestral Visa, Right of Abode UK or EU passport holders are not restricted by age.

Housekeepers and/or carers can be of any age between 20 and 60 depending on the visa and provided they are able to carry out their duties.

Both live in and live out positions are available.

You pay your own airfare.  As the YM visa is a 2 year visa you would fly on a one way ticket.    Australian passport holders are able to use the British National Health scheme as they would use Medicare.  Canadians, New Zealanders and Japanese provide their own health insurance cover.

Housekeepers run the home for the family they work for.

• We require dedicated housekeepers who preferably have had previous experience.
• You should be flexible and adaptable so as to fit in with a family's requirements.
• Be responsible and reliable.
• Have a positive attitude.
• If possible, have a driving license although not essential.

HOUSEKEEPER DUTIES

• All general household duties such as cleaning, vacuuming, dusting etc.
• Polishing silver and brass.
• Shopping.
• Organising wardrobes, cupboards etc.
• Laundry and ironing.
• Dealing with tradespeople.
• Taking messages.
• Help at dinner parties with serving and washing up.
• Cooking or food preparation.
• Occasional childcare where required.
• Other activities such as care of pets.

WORKING HOURS

• Housekeepers normally work a five and half day week.
• Normal full time working hours are from 8.00am to 6.00pm. This needs to be flexible according to the requirements of the family.
• Some housekeepers are expected to work over the weekend, with perhaps half a day or a whole day on Saturday and being given half or a full day free during the week in lieu thereof.

SALARY

• Live in  £350 - £450 per week
• Live out  £400- £500 per week
• On average, 20 days  paid leave per year

CARERS

Who may apply?
If you have gained experience as a "hands on" carer in aged care, youth care, disability care and any other kind of care and are therefore, qualified by experience.
If you have worked as a carer in a nursing home
If you have worked as a carer in a hospital
If you have worked as a carer in a private home.

Visa, hours and salaries are as above.

General Information

The UK program is not a controlled program so rates of pay are market driven. Family requirements and the rate of pay offered will differ in each position. The above is a guide line only and will vary.

UK families do not provide airfare
UK families do not provide health insurance cover

In general the process for the youth mobility visa takes about 4 - 6 weeks.
You will need to show the British High Commission that you have a certain amount of money available to you before the visa will be issued.

The UK is well placed to visit Ireland, all of Europe, Scandinavia, New York.

The amount paid to you will enable you to do lots of touring. It is suggested that should you wish to travel in Europe, you take additional money with you or a debit card.

JCR provides this program working together with their associate office in the UK.  

These are safe and secure placements with families known to our associate office.

You will be provided with contact details of our associate in the UK before leaving.

You will have back up and support at all times from our associate and from JCR head office in Australia.

Cost:

AU$200  payable on registering.

This amount can be paid by credit/debit card when calling to register or sms to 0409 579 800 [+ 61 409 579 800] or faxing card details to [03] 9557 0400 [+61 3 9557 0400]

Send in the following documents to P. O. Box 497, Bentleigh East, Victoria 3165, Australia.

• Letter to JCR advising;   When you wish to go. The period of time you would like to work for.
• Up to date CV/Resume
• Full length smiling photograph
• 1 or 2 page letter talking a little about yourself and saying why you wish to be a Housekeeper or a Carer in the UK.  Sign the letter personally.
• Police Clearance. Finger print is not required, just a name check.
• Certificate of good physical and psychological health and no drug or drink dependency, from your doctor.
• Character reference. Three are required but you may submit as many as you wish. The character reference should be from someone who knows you and can speak to your experience as a housekeeper or a carer. The referee must provide their telephone number and email address so that we can verify.

Payable on placement:  $850

Apply for this program at least 2 months before you wish to go.