Guidance for families and people arranging care

How to Choose a Domestic Helper or Live-in Staff Member

A successful domestic role starts with a realistic daily and weekly task plan. Cleaning, cooking, ironing, shopping, child support and live-in work should never be treated as one undefined package.

01

Task plan

List home size, residents, cleaning frequency, meals, laundry, ironing, shopping and any child or pet support.

02

Working hours

Agree start, finish, breaks, weekly time off, overtime, public holidays and travel.

03

Live-in conditions

Provide private, safe accommodation, rest and time off; define any night duty separately.

04

Privacy

Discuss keys, alarms, cameras, guests, phones, private rooms and confidentiality.

05

Additional skills

Verify driving, languages, specialist cooking, travel or pet-care experience where needed.

06

Written terms

Record pay, payment date, time off, duties, start, accommodation, trial and notice terms.

Request a caregiver

Duties, schedules, accommodation, privacy and written terms for daytime or live-in domestic staff.

Request a caregiver →