The UK Nanny visa is referred to as the Overseas Domestic Worker visa which allows foreign domestic workers in a private household to immigrate to the UK. If you want to become a nanny in the UK, you will have to apply for this visa. It also covers a wide range of other domestic roles such as cleaners, chauffeurs, and cooks, as well as individuals who provide personal care for their employer and their family members.
Meanwhile, being an overseas Domestic Worker visa holder, you can travel abroad and return to the UK freely during your stay and may even change employers. However, it must be another domestic worker’s role in a private household. UK Nanny visa holders can also stay in the UK for up to 6 months and it cannot be extended any further.
In this article, we will discuss how to become a nanny in the UK and the job responsibilities of a live-in nanny. As well as visa requirements for a live-in nanny in the UK. Interested? Let’s dive in!
Responsibilities Of A Live-In Nanny
To become a nanny in the UK, you will have to take up the job responsibilities. Although these responsibilities may differ from family to family. However, your primary roles will have to revolve around the children of the household. You must ensure that the children’s needs are met and may act in place of a parent.
Furthermore, you may have to arrange meals for the children and if they are of an appropriate age, you will ensure that they get to school or nursery safely. When they are home, your responsibility is to entertain them and put them to bed if your employers are not home yet. In addition, you will need to clean up after them.
This implies that there will be a degree of tidying rooms, clothes laundering, and ironing of clothes. You may also have to take the role of a teacher and help the children with their homework. As well as assist them with their basic reading, writing, and arithmetic skills. Furthermore, you may also need to be a chauffeur, arranging drop-offs and collections at extra-curricular activities.
These are just the minimum expectations of your job role if you want to become a nanny in the UK. Some families may expect you to still do more. For instance, they may be seeking a live-in nanny who will also double up as a general housekeeper. Therefore, you should clarify this and know your basic responsibilities before accepting any role.
If the responsibilities are confused, it could create an awkward working environment. Keep reading as we take you through the essential skills and qualities to become a nanny in the UK.
Essential Skills And Qualities Of A Live-in Nanny
We can assure you that qualifications are secondary to the soft skills and personality traits to become a successful live-in nanny. So, if you want to become a nanny in the UK, you will be expected to possess the following qualities. Scroll down!
- Have excellent communication skills especially when around children.
- Also, you must have boundless patience as children can you with your patience.
- The ability to think on your feet and react swiftly and with sense.
- Strong organizational skills, but must be willing to be flexible when required.
- A cool head in a crisis, being calm always.
- In addition, you must be knowledgeable about basic first aid and nutritional requirements.
As far as your potential employer is concerned, no certificate can beat all of these desirable qualities.
Requirements For A UK Nanny Visa
According to the UK nanny visa requirements, Overseas Domestic Worker visa applicants must:
- Be 19 years or above.
- Have worked for their employer for 12 months or more.
- Carry out their job roles in the same household as their employer.
- Be traveling to the UK with their employer (including their partner or children).
- Also, be working as a full-time domestic worker in a UK household in which their employer resides.
- Intend to leave the UK at the end of the 6 months.
- In addition, they must have sufficient funds to finance themselves in the UK.
- Be paid at least the UK national minimum wage:
- 23 and over: £9.50 per hour
- 21 to 22: £9.18 per hour
- 18 to 20: £6.83 per hour
As a nanny visa applicant, you must also demonstrate that your employer is:
- A British citizen who normally resides outside the UK and is coming to spend nothing more than 6 months in the UK.
- A foreign national who is coming to the UK for no more than 6 months.
Furthermore, you must provide a copy of your work conditions which confirms that your employer will:
- Meet the national minimum wage requirements stated above.
- Not overwork you for excessive hours forcefully.
- Also, provide you with your holiday pay based on the agreement.
- Provide you with a proper notice in case your employment ends.
If you plan to work in the UK as a nanny on a Skilled Worker visa, the eligibility rules require that you:
- You must acquire a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer who must be an approved sponsor license holder.
- Must have a role as an au pair, child care assistant, childminder, or nanny.
- In addition, you must have a salary of at least £25,600 annually or £10.10 per hour. If you are under 26, you only need to be paid 70% of your job’s usual going rate (£12,320 or £6.07 per hour).
- Must also speak, read, and write English to CEFR level B1 or above.
- Lastly, must have at least £1,270 held for 28 days or more to financially support yourself while in the UK.
How To Apply For A Nanny Visa In The UK
If you want to become a nanny in the UK, you must apply for a nanny visa (Overseas Domestic Worker visa). However, you will need to complete the following steps.
- Complete and submit the online application form1 (this must be done from outside the UK and up to 3 months before your departure date).
- You must pay the application fee of £531.
- Also, book and attend an appointment with your nearest UK Visa Application Centre (VAC) to provide your biometrics.
- Lastly, upload any documents requested by the UK Home Office.