Clear guidance for private households.
Practical considerations for choosing, interviewing and welcoming household professionals across childcare, domestic service, education, security, driving and care.
Hiring private household staff
What should we define before starting a search?
Clarify the role title, core duties, working hours, live-in or live-out arrangement, travel expectations, household size, reporting lines and any essential qualifications or licences.
What checks are commonly considered?
Depending on the role, households may consider identity and right-to-work checks, references, employment history, DBS status, qualifications, driving licence, professional licences and role-specific training.
How important is household fit?
Very. Experience matters, but discretion, communication style, boundaries, temperament and understanding of private service can be equally important to a successful long-term placement.
Nannies, childminders & Mothers Help
What should a nanny brief include?
Children’s ages, daily routines, school or nursery arrangements, activities, meal expectations, travel, proxy parenting requirements, driving and any special educational or care considerations.
What is the distinction between a nanny and Mothers Help?
A nanny generally takes primary responsibility for children during working hours, while a Mothers Help commonly works alongside a parent and may combine childcare assistance with light household support.
Housekeepers, maids & domestic staff
How should housekeeping duties be set out?
Specify cleaning standards, laundry, ironing, linen, wardrobe care, shopping, household organisation, guest preparation, pet care and whether cooking or service duties are expected.
When is a live-in housekeeper appropriate?
A live-in arrangement can suit larger households, properties requiring greater continuity, or families who need broader availability. Accommodation, privacy and working/rest arrangements should be clearly agreed.
Private couples
What duties can a private couple cover?
Depending on experience, a couple may combine housekeeping, cooking, driving, gardening, estate support, maintenance, security-conscious routines and household service.
How should responsibilities be divided?
Define individual and shared duties before recruitment so both candidates understand working hours, reporting lines, cover arrangements and where responsibilities overlap.
Private tutors
What should families consider when choosing a tutor?
Subject expertise, curriculum knowledge, age-group experience, teaching style, exam-board familiarity, safeguarding considerations and the ability to work constructively with parents and schools.
Chauffeurs and security staff
What should be checked for a private chauffeur?
Driving licence, driving history, relevant experience, route knowledge, vehicle familiarity, discretion, presentation and any advanced driving requirements relevant to the role.
What about private security roles?
Security requirements should be clearly scoped and any applicable licensing, professional credentials and specialist experience verified for the duties involved.
Arranging care support
What is the difference between visiting and live-in care?
Visiting support is provided during scheduled calls or blocks of time. Live-in arrangements provide a more continuous presence in the home, with clearly agreed working and rest periods.
Can support change as needs increase?
Yes. A suitable arrangement should be reviewed when routines, mobility, health circumstances or family availability change.
Are all care activities unregulated?
No. Certain personal-care or healthcare activities can fall within regulated activity in England. The exact service, provider status and regulatory requirements should be confirmed before regulated care is delivered.