Working as a nanny can be very different from other childcare positions. Because a nanny works within a private home, the lines between being an employee and a friend of the family can get blurred. It is a very personal job looking after someone's child, if your workplace is also your home, it can get even more fuzzy!

To make sure everyone knows where they stand and what is expected of them, it is important that everyone knows their role. We always provide a contract so that specific details are spelt out - it's very easy to assume on both sides! This is less the case with daily positions, but clarity is still needed.

Duties
The duties of a nanny are those that relate to the child. You will be responsible for providing a safe, stimulating environment for them, as well as making sure their clothes, bedrooms, toys etc. are clean and tidy. You will be required to cook healthy meals and tidy up after the children (and yourself!). You will not be expected to do general cleaning or cooking for the family. Occasionally you may be asked to do general errands.

Different Titles:
As well as special needs nannies, we place facilitators, enablers and buddies. Typically these are with older children who have a greater level of ability, but need assistance to enable them to access activities, education, socialisation etc.

With Children with Additional Needs
Working as a special needs nanny is very different from mainstream nannying. It is very likely that you will be working alongside other professionals; speech, physio, and occupational therapists, teachers etc. There are often opportunities for training in various areas.

Sometimes our positions involve working just one a one-one basis with a child with special needs, other times it may also be siblings to look after too. Where a child's special need are severe, it is unlikely that any other duties will be involved. Jobs may be based in the home, others are in schools or nurseries where the nanny may shadow the child and give extra support.

As well as working with children with additional needs, we also help families in difficult family situations, such as bereavement of a parent, or a parent who has additional needs (such as an acquired brain injury) who needs assistance to be able to look after their child.

As a special needs nanny or carer, is vital to remember that the parents of the child you are looking after may still be coming to terms with the fact that their child has a disability or illness. It is important that you are sensitive to this. A good special needs nanny will be aware of a child's limitations, but also help them reach their full potential. First and foremost the child you are looking after is a child. It is secondary that they have additional needs.

To get more of an idea of what it's like to be a special needs nanny, why not have a look at some of the jobs available, or read the articles featuring SNAP! Nannies.

Our SNAP16+ division, (as the name suggests!) is very similar work, but with the older age group of 16 - 25.