Moving into a new home can be a daunting experience; unfamiliar surroundings and a period of adapting to change can be unsettling and add unnecessary extra stress. These feelings are heightened by the thought of contacting your domestic staffing agency and hiring a new set of household staff. Although you may be able to retain some of your existing staff, others may not want the change, especially if you have moved into a new area.
Perhaps you are moving into a house and considering hiring household staff for the first time; this can be very unsettling. You can very quickly become overwhelmed with the prospect of hiring staff to help you. Who do you hire? What do I need to look out for? Which types of staff am I going to need?
The last part of that is the most crucial consideration. Which type of household staff will you need? Every household is different, dictated by work, social commitments, family dynamics, and makeup. If you are a busy young couple with no children, you don’t require the services of a nanny just yet, but a chef might be more appropriate should you need additional help in the kitchen. If you are unsure where you should start, it’s always advisable to seek guidance from a domestic staffing agency. Let’s explore some of the most common and helpful household staff you can hire.
Housekeeper
Any domestic staffing agency will often repeat the importance of having a good housekeeper. Not to be confused with the cleaner, the housekeeper’s role is all-encompassing and varied. It can range from basic cleaning duties such as mopping, dusting and hoovering to help with the cooking or restocking of the cupboards. The housekeeper would be considered a more generalised role and ideal for a household exploring the idea of employing household staff for the first time. You can hire them on a full-time or part-time basis and due to their generalised role are considered one of the cheaper forms of staff and would be ideal for any household that just needs a bit of extra help across the board without spending a fortune.
Nanny
For any family with children, babies through to adolescents, a nanny is a vital part of family life. Their range of assistance is varied but solely focused on looking after the children in the family. They often become an integral part of the family and care for and stimulate the children under their care, taking the stress off the parents and allowing them the flexibility to go about their day. Safe in the knowledge that their child is being well cared for. A nanny can be hired full or part-time and offer assistance wherever required.
Chef
For any families or households needing extra support in the kitchen, a chef is a perfect option. Depending on the level of support required, they can be employed on both a full and part-time basis. A professional with food they can cook whatever is needed, be it dietary requirements, calorie-controlled diets or a high-end dinner party. A chef is often a popular choice amongst athletes or those in tune with their fitness due to their strict dietary requirements. If you require a specific type of chef with a particular set of skills, speak to your domestic staffing agency, and they will be able to accommodate your request.
Estate Manager
An estate manager shares some similarities with a housekeeper on a much larger scale. They will have experience in managing larger estates and properties with lots of lands as opposed to a family home. They have additional bookkeeping and accounting skills and will also be highly proficient in admin and organisation. They are used to running large estates and multi-property portfolios. Their primary role is to keep the entire estate running smoothly, ensuring everyone is where they need to be when they need to be there.
Security
Security staff can be employed to carry out many different roles, but their goal is always the same. They maintain the safety and security of whoever they have been tasked with protecting. You could hire in-person security to monitor your property whilst you are away, although this could also be conducted remotely through security cameras. Alternatively, if you are concerned about your family’s safety when they go about their day-to-day lives, you could employ personal security staff or ‘bodyguards’. They will accompany you wherever you choose and help keep you safe from harm.
Whatever your requirements with security, speak with your domestic staffing agency, and they can advise you accordingly.
