For almost a decade, Tina Masson and her husband Harish have had au pairs from countries such as Spain, Italy and the Czech Republic at their home in Essex. Since their last young helper, Awena, returned to France this year, however, it has been a struggle to find someone to fill the void. The couple, who have three children, Serena, 11, Anouskza, 4, and Jayan, 2, have failed to find a new au pair, despite contacting more than 50 candidates. “I have virtually no faith that we are going to find someone,” said Tina, 40, who sometimes works until after 8pm in her pharmaceuticals job. “Either my husband, who is a medic, may consider leaving his role or I might take a pay cut or

Source: The Times August 08, 2020 22:52 UTC