Presenters:

• Goran Rannefors IAPA Treasurer, Cultural Care Au Pair (EF Education)
• Jack Hompes IAPA Chairperson, S-au pair intermediate

Current trends in the au pair industry reflect a changing landscape. How can agencies adapt to shifting demand on the one side and changing regulations on the other?

IAPA presents a portrait of US and European au pair programmes examining trends, national standards, and current rules and regulations. Where is the market moving, how do standards and regulations affect au pair programmes, and what is the role of national and regional associations in setting standards in the future?

This session will also address the question of how receiving agencies can assist sending agencies navigate through the large number of national programmes and their requirements. US and European agencies are collaborating with each other and with government to meet this challenge by helping to implement comprehensive standards and regulations. and by communicating these to the marketplace.

Goran Rannefors will present a synopsis of the rules, regulations and legislation currently impacting the au pair programme in the USA. He will shed light on new rules and regulations which have yet to be enacted, and will discuss the position of the US sponsor agencies in lobbying for new legislation meeting their obligations to assure that requisite standards are met.

Jack Hompes will follow this segment with a view of matters over the Atlantic. He will give a brief presentation of ECAPS (European Committee on Au Pair Standards), and will discuss how au pair policy and programmes differ among European countries. Mr. Hompes will highlight the efforts of ECAPS to develop and implement standardised regulations and legislation on a European wide scale. He will conclude by introducing the National Au Pair Associations.

National Au Pair Association Fair

Time: 17.15 - 18.00

Following the presentations, the second part of the IAPA Programme will give delegates the opportunity to meet with National Au Pair Associations and representative US agencies to gain a more in depth understanding of their national programs and requirements.

Presenters:

• Bettina Wiedmann Experiment e.V - PDF of presentation
• Diana Pilling Australian Internsships - PDF of presentation
• Paul McLaughlin CIEE - PDF of presentation

Moderator:

• Marc Lankamp Travelplus Group GmbH

Managing expectations

Is the key to a successful work abroad or cultural exchange experience the programme’s content? Or is it a case of managing expectations; carefully balancing those expectations against the programme you are delivering.

In this seminar, experts will share some of their not-so-secret formulas for creating successful client experiences by through the exploration of key issues.

Can proper pre-departure preparation make the difference between an empowering experience and a disappointing one?

Is thorough preparation, in addition to the careful selection of participants, the key to a successful cultural experience abroad?

Bettina Weidmann will explore the content and the various elements that are essential to an effective orientation; addressing the most important benefits of offering a pre-departure orientation.

She will explain why in addition to including information about the country of destination, a successful orientation should raise cultural awareness and encourage participants to think about their own cultural identities as well as their fears and expectations.

Together, we will look into methods of conducting an interactive orientation seminar, demonstrating specific tools for conveying these messages that actively engage participants in the learning process.

Meeting expectations

Diana Pilling will focus on pre-departure vetting of placements to be sure they meet health and safety standards. Including issues such as why it is crucial to define the program terms and conditions to all candidates and partners; the need for standard definitions within documents; explaining the interview process and why it is beneficial to interview each candidate personally prior to accepting them into programs.

Discussion will continue on how companies are selected and why telephone interviews are arranged with host companies prior to any development of formal Training Agreements.

In any placement, information and communication are essential.  A ‘Best Practise’ strategy should be adopted that includes manuals for the Intern, Host Organisation and Sending Partner. Important information these Manuals should contain will be summarized.

Managing the unexpected

Is your organization prepared for a serious participant issue such as an accident, or even death?  Paul McLaughlin will explore, through several case studies, the best practices for handling the most difficult participant support issues. 

Together you will develop a set of standard operating procedures in anticipation of these incidents and review crises strategies on how to best manage a case from start to finish.  We will also review the various factors complicating a case including insurance, visas for next of kin, communication, family, impact on staff and others involved, including lawsuits.