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What you should know about the Live-in Caregiver Program
Thousands of Canadian families and foreign nationals have participated in the Live-in Caregiver Program (LIC). Most have found it to be a rewarding experience, depending on the caregiver and the agency, but it is important to fully understand the program and what makes an agency reliable before deciding to participate. This material explains the program, answers some frequently asked questions and gives you some tips you need when selecting an agency to work with.
The LIC Program brings temporary residents to Canada as live-in employees to work without supervision in a private household to care for children, seniors or people with disabilities. Participants in this program may apply for permanent resident status within three years of arrival in Canada, after completing two years of employment as live-in caregivers. The LIC Program replaced the Foreign Domestic Movement Program on April 27, 1992.
Although merely a family member who will be living in the same house with you, the caregiver is to be treated as an employee. The employment relationship is to be governed by the domestic worker regulations in your province. Make sure that the agency you are choosing provides you with materials about the Employment Standards Act.
A signed employment contract between you and your caregiver is a legal requirement of the LIC Program. A contract is a written, detailed job description that also describes the conditions of employment, including the maximum number of hours of work per week, and the wage rate for those hours of work. Be sure that the agency you are working with sets out a contract where nothing violates provincial or territorial labour laws, which establish minimum employment standards such as the minimum wage and overtime payment for additional hours worked. The agency you are choosing should put together the contract for you. The following questions and answers might help you to choose the right agency.
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What is the Live-in Caregiver Program?
The Live-in Caregiver Program allows professional caregivers to work in Canada. Caregivers are individuals who are qualified to work without supervision in a private household providing care for children, elderly persons or people who have disabilities. The live-in caregiver must live in the employer's home. Choose an agency that does not advise you against the law, which is to hire a live-out while the legal status of the caregiver is for the live-in program.
Placement agencies in Canada have the moral obligation and legal responsibility to follow the requirements of the program, within the regulations set by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), Service Canada and the provincial or territorial labour laws. However many agencies on the market will advise you against the law. When searching for an agency do not choose the cheapest one, but the one providing you with all the information you need.
The minimum hourly rate is usually set up by Service Canada. When choosing an agency make sure that they follow the governmental regulations.
Although Service Canada confirms the offer of employment for Canadian families while CIC issues work permits for caregivers from all over the world, anyone can start a caregiver placement agency and anyone can place their Resume on-line, the responsibility for choosing the right agency rests solely with the host family and the caregiver.
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What should a placement/nanny agency do?
The agency should carry out the day-to-day operations of the LIC Program as follows. They should identify, screen, select, and match caregivers and host families.
The agency should ensure that background investigations, including criminal history checks, are performed on caregivers. They should provide you with references about the caregiver. Always check references before hiring someone!
They should interview the caregivers for spoken English proficiency and suitability to participate in the program.
The largest and most professional agencies have a Human Resources Specialist working for them. Make sure that the agency you choose has a certified HR Professional on their staff.
The agency should provide the caregivers with a detailed profile of the host family and community into which they will be placed. They should monitor the caregiver/host family relationship throughout the first year of contract at least. The organization should maintain contact, through their staff, with caregivers and host families to ensure compliance with the provincial or territorial employment standards.
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Are there any checks on the Caregiver Agencies?
Unfortunately the Canadian Government does not regulate the activity of caregiver agencies in Canada. However Canadian families can check the credentials of the agencies themselves.
Choose only an agency that is a member of the Better Business Bureau.
Make sure that the agency is a member of the Chamber of Commerce or the local board of Trade to confirm that their business is recognized in the local community.
The agency you want to work with should be a member in a caregiver's association so you can check if they care about their caregivers.
The agency should bring caregivers from all over the world. Choose one which is member in a prestigious international forum such as the International Au Pair Association (IAPA). IAPA monitors and improves the quality of all aspects of au pair exchange programs.
IAPA's main goal is to protect the rights of all caregivers and host families and at the same time establish international guidelines for au pair exchange programs.
Check if the agency has a web site and printed materials. Lack of printed materials shows lack of establishment and business experience.
Check if the agency is visible on the market. Participation in consumer fairs and other events shows the agency is a strong one, capable of recruiting all over the world.
Check if the agency has any references from their previous clients, both caregivers and host families. Check with the agency's business partners whether their current activity is in good standing.
Check if the agency has an office in a well established location. A home office or an office located in a basement or in a Shopping Mall should trigger an alarm for you. Make sure you appoint a meeting and visit their office. A very small, obscure or unprofessionally looking office should make you move on further with your search.
The more credentials the agency makes available for you to check the better for you.
The largest and most professional agencies have a Human Resources Specialist working for them. Make sure that the agency you choose has a certified HR Professional on their staff.
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THE SELECTION AND SCREENING PROCESS
Where do Caregivers come from?
Because the LIC Program is worldwide, caregivers can be from any foreign country. Make sure that you select an agency recruiting in more than one country. The more countries where the agency is recruiting, the better for you.
What kind of training and experience is required to be a Caregiver?
There are three main requirements a caregiver must meet to qualify under the LIC Program. A caregiver must:
• Have successfully completed the equivalent of a Canadian high school education.
• Have six months of full-time training or twelve months of full-time paid employment, in a field or occupation related to the job as a live-in caregiver.
• Be able to speak, read and understand either English or French at a level that allows the caregiver to function independently in a home setting.
Make sure that the agency brings added value to the recruiting process by having their own additional requirements. At least 3 references should be provided for every applicant.
Choose only an agency with their own application forms for the prospective caregivers. An agency presenting you resumes on different formats should better start up in a different business area.
The agency should allow you to interview prospective caregivers by telephone, before they leave their home, prior to accepting candidates as caregivers. Make sure that the agency you choose provides you with the required information.
If possible choose an agency recruiting in the US, Australia, France or UK as it is easier for you to interview people in these countries.
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Is there any agency fee involved?
You should be careful about agencies who offer you caregivers at no cost. That means that the client is the caregiver and not you. In most cases the Canadian family is taken advantage of as the caregivers are paying the agency to do everything possible to bring them to Canada.
The more structured and varied the agency fee the better for you so you can choose a most suitable caregiver.
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How about an agency “at the beginning”?
Agencies without credentials or ones who recruit from one country only usually want to bring their own friends and relatives and then disappear from the market.
Choose an agency who has been in business for at least 3 years.
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How about an immigration law office?
The law firm was retained by the caregiver whom they represent and are paid by to obtain the visa; you are not the client.
Choose an agency with a support system in place who offers you a replacement in case you are not happy with the arrangement. The agency should guarantee your satisfaction.
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QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS
What if I have questions after the initial selection and match have been made, or if a problem arises?
The agency should have representatives available to help and counsel one or both parties of a LIC Program match. Choose an agency which has a grievance system in place.
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What are my options if I am not happy with the arrangement?
Both the host family and the caregiver should be given options if they are not happy with the arrangement. An agency that guarantees your placement at least 4 months proves they stand up to their service and that they care about their clients.
Make sure you choose an agency with a large pool of applicants so you can find a replacement quick and hassle free.
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Checklist for Choosing an Agency
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