What we do
Our Work
Our mission is to be a trusted and caring voice for the global au pair community, committed to supporting and protecting au pair and cultural exchange opportunities for young people.
We provide information, education, guidelines, and orientation, not only to our members, but to au pairs, host families, governmental bodies, and others involved in the sector.
We advocate for the au pair concept worldwide and support national associations in their work to grow and improve this cultural exchange programme.
What we do
Quality Standards
- Our industry faces real challenges: regulations are inconsistent from country to country, geopolitical issues can affect visas and travel, and a growing number of offers on social media and other platforms make it hard to know who to trust. Maintaining professional standards is essential to navigating these challenges. Through IAPA, au pairs and host families can find trustworthy, professional organisations they can rely on.
- Our Code of Conduct gives guidance to au pair agencies, and our members are committed to following them. This ensures au pairs and host families are carefully vetted and matched, and receive support throughout the whole stay. So both can take part in a well-organised, protected cultural exchange experience.
- We support the development and set-up of new au pair programmes in countries where they do not yet exist, helping new national associations establish strong standards from the start.
- We play an active role in ECAPS – the European Committee for Au Pair Standards, which brings together representatives from national associations across Europe to exchange news on developments and regulations in each country, discuss shared issues, and support one another. Together, we strive towards a unified set of standards within the EU.
What we do
Information and Education
- We provide practical, up-to-date information to au pairs, agencies, and host families, helping them stay informed as the industry evolves.
- We regularly hold conferences, workshops, and webinars that bring the industry together to network, exchange ideas, and share developments.
- Each year, we host and present the Au Pair of the Year award, recognising outstanding au pairs and showcasing the au pair programme as a true cultural exchange experience.
- IAPA members also receive regular updates and information on industry developments, keeping them ahead of changes that affect their work.
What we do
Policy Work
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We lobby for au pair programmes to be recognised and treated as a genuine cultural exchange experience.
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As the collective voice of our members, we represent their interests - and the au pair programme as a whole - at both local and international level, and encourage governments and official bodies to authorise au pair programmes to and from their countries.
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We also work to raise public awareness of our members' professionalism, helping them be recognised as high-quality, reputable agencies.
- We help members resolve specific issues by connecting them with the right local and national representatives.
- We also support the formation of new national au pair associations in countries where none yet exist.
- Our Codes of Conduct and screening process before accepting an organisation as a member allow us to confidently endorse our members as reputable, financially stable IAPA organisations.
What we do
ECAPS
Established in 2006, ECAPS works towards common guidelines and definitions for au pairs, host families, and au pair agencies across Europe. While every country still applies its own national regulations, ECAPS supports joint lobbying with bodies such as the European Commission and national governments, and helps countries work towards greater alignment over time.
ECAPS brings together au pair representatives from across Europe to exchange knowledge, align on shared standards, and support each other's work at a national and European level. Countries are represented either through their national au pair association or, where none exists, through member agencies.
What we do
Research
IAPA conducts regular surveys among its members to evaluate the current state of the au pair sector. These surveys help members benchmark their own companies against industry trends.
We also survey our members directly for feedback — on the association itself, or on specific topics. This helps us continuously improve and identify the issues that matter most to our members.
