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Find your staff
A LITTLE MORE CLARITY
A few things
you might want
to know.
Practical guides and helpful answers in one place. Compare domestic staff roles, plan your budget and understand the steps from your first enquiry to a supported start.
Choosing your staff · Costs & employing
Your search & first days · Helpful answers
PRACTICAL GUIDANCE FOR YOUR HOME
Choosing your staff
Start with the help your home needs, then shape a role that works in practice.
Compare household roles
Housekeeper, housekeeper cook or wider household support? Understand the differences before you decide.
Build your starting brief
Bring together your priorities, preferred hours and household routines.
Hiring for the first time
A practical introduction to the steps between your first enquiry and welcoming someone home.
Costs & employing
Plan beyond the salary, with a clear view of recruitment and the responsibilities of employing at home.
Housekeeper costs
Explore working hours, salary examples and the additional costs to include in your budget.
Agency fees explained
See how the recruitment fee is calculated and what to clarify before your search begins.
Support for employers
Find practical resources for payroll, employment arrangements and running things smoothly.
Your search & first days
Know what to expect when choosing a candidate and preparing for a supported start.
Screening & checks
Understand our approach to relevant experience, references and role-specific checks.
Ready for day one
Prepare duties, routines and the everyday details that help someone settle into your household.
Our approach to your search
Learn how we help shape the brief, make considered introductions and support your next steps.
Explore nanny costs or compare nannies and nanny housekeepers. You’ll find answers to common childcare questions below.
YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
Helpful answers.
Finding your staff
Which type of staff do I need?
A housekeeper focuses on caring for your home, while a housekeeper cook combines housekeeping with agreed meal preparation. A private chef focuses on food, and a house manager coordinates the running of a household. We can also discuss care, companionship and childcare. Our role comparison guide can help you choose.
Can I hire part-time or live-out staff?
Yes. We recruit for full-time, part-time, live-in and live-out arrangements. Tell us your preferred days, hours and location, and we’ll discuss what is practical for the role.
How long does finding someone take?
Timing depends on the role, hours, salary, location and candidate availability. Share your ideal start date and any flexibility, and we can discuss a realistic view of your search.
Where do you place staff?
Our focus here is London and the Home Counties. If your home is further afield, tell us where you are and we’ll confirm whether we can help with your particular search.
What should I tell you before starting my search?
Tell us about your household, responsibilities, preferred hours, location, salary budget and ideal start date. For childcare, include children’s ages and routines. You can use our role planner to prepare a brief; it is fine if you are still exploring.
Screening & placement support
How do you screen candidates?
Our screening considers relevant experience, references, background checks and role-specific qualifications. Read our requirements and screening process, and ask your consultant which checks apply to the role you are filling.
Can I meet candidates before making an offer?
Your consultant helps you review a shortlist and coordinate interviews so you can discuss the role, ask questions and assess the fit before making an offer.
What if a placement doesn’t work out?
Our published Terms of Business include a conditional 12-week replacement arrangement. Ask us how the conditions apply to your placement and what support is available if it ends early.
Can you help us define the role?
Yes. We can help you clarify the responsibilities, working arrangements and priorities so candidates have a clear understanding of what your household needs.
Fees & payroll
What does it cost to use the agency?
Our published permanent placement fee is eight weeks of the candidate’s gross salary, plus VAT. Read our fees guide and ask for a written quote covering the charges and conditions for your search, including any registration arrangements. Salary and employment costs are separate.
Are salary and employment costs included in the agency fee?
No. Your employee’s salary and employment costs are separate from our recruitment fees. We’ll explain our agency fees before you proceed.
Do your clients receive a payroll discount?
My Home Staff clients can access 20% off eligible Payroll & HR service fees with Nannytax for nanny employers or Stafftax for other household staff. Ask us how to access the relevant offer before signing up. The discount does not apply to wages, tax, pension contributions or insurance.
Where can I read your Terms of Business?
You can read our Terms of Business online. Please ask your consultant if you would like any part of the fees, placement process or replacement conditions explained.
Childcare questions
Can you help with a temporary nanny?
Yes. We offer temporary nanny recruitment. Tell us the dates, your children’s ages and the hours you need. Arrangements depend on suitable candidate availability.
What is the difference between a nanny and a nanny housekeeper?
A nanny’s main focus is childcare. A nanny housekeeper combines childcare with agreed housekeeping duties. We’ll help you define a realistic balance based on your children’s ages, the hours available and your household priorities.
Jobs & getting in touch
I’m looking for a job. Where should I start?
Please visit our jobs board to explore vacancies and follow the application instructions. The client enquiry form is for households looking to hire staff.
How can I speak to your team?
Call 020 8144 4321 Monday–Friday, 8am–6pm, or use our contact page to tell us about the support you are looking for.
Exceptional people.
Beautifully supported homes.
London & the Home Counties.
