Au pairing after the au pair scheme: New migration rules and childcare in private homes in the UK

The study of paid domestic labour brings together two hotly debated issues - women's changing relationship to the home and the growth of labour migration. For many families around the world, the solution to the problem of how to balance the demands of home and paid work is to rely on low waged migrants to carry out domestic work and childcare. Transformations in women's lives and in the private spaces of the home are, therefore, intimately related to global labour flows and to state migration policies that mediate those flows.

As numbers of paid domestic workers in advanced capitalist countries have increased in recent years so has academic interest in their lives and those of their employers. Research has revealed the often problematic nature of both the relationships between domestic workers and employers and the government policies that facilitate paid domestic employment. Many countries have migration schemes specifically designed to allow migrants to enter as domestic workers and these schemes often impose restrictive conditions, limiting workers' rights and protections and increasing the likelihood of their exploitation and abuse. Even in situations where workers are not subject to such restrictions, relationships with employers can be fraught, particularly when workers care for children. Employers' anxieties about their children and their role as parents can create tensions which profoundly affect domestic workers' autonomy and conditions of work.

One under-researched group who have become increasingly important to British families are au pairs. Au pairs are defined as neither workers nor students but as participants in a 'cultural exchange' scheme who receive 'pocket money' from host families in return for 'helping' with domestic tasks. Au pairing grew substantially during the 1990s and 2000s and au pairs are now depended upon by tens of thousands of British households. While the traditional image of the au pair is of a young, carefree, woman enjoying a sojourn abroad, evidence indicates that au pairs are becoming less distinguishable from other domestic workers and may suffer from the exploitation and poor conditions that have been observed elsewhere in the sector.

Recent changes to legislation covering au pairing in the UK have created a situation that urgently needs investigation. These changes - the ending of the au pair visa and the expansion of migration from EU countries in the wake of EU enlargement - have created a new context for au pairing and new living and working conditions for au pairs. Most importantly the abolition of the au pair visa has also brought to an end the role UK Government has in defining and regulating the au pair role including the remuneration and living conditions that are appropriate. Au pairs are no longer safeguarded by Home Office guidelines, but neither are they protected by employment law. They have no right to a minimum wage, nor do they have defined maximum working hours or a right to holidays.

This project will provide data on au pairing in four ways. First, by collecting and analysing quantitative data the project will provide the first overview of the nature and extent of au pairing in the UK, including outlining working conditions. Second, through in-depth interviews with au pairs, the project will explore au pairing within the lifecourse and subjective experience of au pairs. The lack of definition of the au pair role creates a liminal position for au pairs and this experience needs to be understood. Third, through interviews with host families, the project will provide data on how families understand au pairing to fit with their identity as parents and their ideas of good parenting and how these ideals shape the relationship between host and au pair. Last, through interviews with key informants from government and specialist agencies the project will locate au pairing within the wider context of migration and the treatment of low-waged migrant workers.

This research has the potential to impact a range of users in the commercial, public and voluntary sectors and to benefit wider publics such as au pairs, migrant domestic workers, their hosts and employers.

The project will produce data on the current operation of au pairing which has the potential to increase the effectiveness of policy and public services. The research will reveal details of au pair and host family practices, expectations and experiences which will cast light on whether the scheme operates as it is assumed to. For example, the project will provide data on the effects of au pairs not being considered 'workers', and whether they are distinguishable from paid domestic workers. It will provide information on the welfare needs of au pairs (for health care, maternity benefits etc) and the extent to which these are met. This knowledge would help policy makers revisit guidance on au pairing to bring the scheme in line with government intentions. Data will also be provided on host family motivations and concerns which are of relevance to policy makers interested in work-life balance and other family policies.

Information gathered by the project will be of use to public and third sector groups who offer support and advice to au pairs and domestic workers. The research will establish common issues faced by au pairs and could inform the extent to which there is a need for more specific support for this group and how support for au pairs is best delivered. Similar information could be used by commercial agencies, such as those who place au pairs, who would benefit from increased clarity regarding the legal definition of au pairing, and the needs of the current au pair and host populations.

The research will benefit wider publics, particularly au pairs, host families, paid domestic workers. The findings will be used to inform those involved in the sector, or thinking of becoming involved, about common problems, best practice, rights and responsibilities. Such information would be of substantial benefit to au pairs and their hosts and could impact their welfare considerably.

The project engagement plan involves rapid dissemination of findings to a range of audiences in order to enhance the impact of the research. (1) The project website will allow for rapid communication in a variety of styles (short and long articles and reports) and interaction with users. It is anticipated that the website will be particularly important for communicating with wider publics and non specialist groups. (2) An advisory group made up of policy makers and members of NGOs will be involved in the project from the outset. They will be sent reports of findings for comment and will act as a conduit to other policy makers and third sector uses. (3) Communication to non-academic users through press releases and news articles. Both Cox and Busch have extensive experience of working with the press (Busch as a journalist for over 10 years) and have good contacts in relevant media such as the BBC and broadsheet newspapers. (4) Production and dissemination of a succinct report which highlights the outcomes of the research of greatest relevance to policy makers and third sector organisations. This will be distributed to a mailing list of appropriate individuals and organisations. It will also be presented at a dissemination event to which academics, policy makers, and third sector organisations will be invited. (5) Dissemination to academic audiences through publication of journal articles, presentations at conferences in the UK and abroad and production of a book.

Professional skills will be developed by the staff throughout the project. Busch will receive training in Nvivo software; Cox and Busch will both receive web site management training. Busch will develop experience of quantitative research, use of survey monkey, analysis of quantitative data and analysis of qualitative data using Nvivo.