Every profile is reviewed
A real person checks every new profile before it goes live — not a filter. Photos, headlines and duty lists are reviewed against clear criteria, and profiles that read like ads are removed.
Safety centre
Trust, but verify.
Most placements are wonderful. The way to keep them that way is boring and effective: verify, write things down, and never move money on promises.
ID checks on both sides
Any member can verify their identity with a government ID document. Verified profiles are badged, and you can filter for them — we recommend it as a minimum before sharing any personal details.
Messages stay in the platform
Chat and video calls happen inside The Pair Network until you choose to share contact details. That keeps a full record if anything goes wrong, and keeps your phone number private until you trust the other side.
Everything in writing
Use our contract template before anyone books a flight: hours, duties, pocket money, days off, holiday and the notice period. A written agreement is what immigration officers ask to see — and it prevents the misunderstandings that end placements.
Money, handled safely
Pocket money is paid directly by the family to the au pair, weekly, as agreed in the contract. We never handle it, and neither should anyone else. Be suspicious of anyone asking you to wire arrival fees, deposits or 'agency costs' to an individual.
Red flags we screen for
Requests for payment before a match, refusal to video-call, vague or evasive duties, pressure to move to private email immediately, or photos that don't match — all are grounds for removal, and all are worth reporting.
The verified badge
Members can confirm who they are with an identity check, then carry a verified badge on their profile and in every conversation.
The check is run by Stripe, our payments and identity partner. You photograph your ID and take a short selfie on their secure page — those documents never reach The Pair Network, and we never store them.
All we receive back is whether the check passed, the date, and a reference number. You can start a check any time from Settings, and filter Browse to verified members only.
A badge can be removed if a profile is later found to be misused. Verification confirms identity — it is not a background check or a character reference, so keep using your own judgement.
If something feels wrong
Use the report button on any profile or message. A human reviews every report within 24 hours, and we can freeze an account during an investigation. If a placement is already going wrong, our support team helps with re-matching at no cost.
Five signs to walk away
- Anyone asking you to pay a fee to 'unlock' a match or see a profile
- A family that won't do a video call before inviting you
- Duties that drift from childcare into housekeeping or elder care
- Requests for your passport or bank details before a written agreement
- Pocket money that is dramatically below the country's typical range, with an excuse
Safe matching starts before the first message
Read the safety guide, agree the contract, and you've already avoided the mistakes that end most placements.
Browse verified profiles