FAQ
Who can use Breakaway’s services?
Breakaway’s services are available to French individuals, members of the EU, aged between 18 and 27 years old.
What documents do I need to provide to be able to live and work in the UK?
All individuals coming from the EU can live and work in the UK as long as they have got a valid ID or passport.
What sort of travel insurance can Breakaway offer?
All our French clients must take out a travel insurance before leaving France. Breakaway can offer a comprehensive and affordable health and travel insurance called "Globe Partner", click here to find out more.
You can subscribe to the "Globe Partner" insurance directly from the link: http://www.assistance-etudiants.com/fr/page/globe?part=breakaway
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Is it possible to apply for Breakaway’s services anytime in the year?
• Breakaway will not accept any applications for the Classic and Winner packages between January and March, as business within the hospitality and catering industries is usually very slow and employers do not tend to employ any new members of staff. But Breakaway will welcome candidates’ applications any other time in the year.
• If candidates wish to apply for the Au-pair package, they can send Breakaway their applications whenever they want. Please be aware that host families are particularly looking for Au-pairs in January and in August/September, so if candidates apply during these periods, Breakaway could offer them a placement fairly quickly.
• The Summer package is only available from June to September and applications must be received at the latest by mid-April.
• Finally candidates can apply for the Work Experience package any time they want.
Do I need to bring some cash with me?
• For the Classic, Winner and Summer packages, candidates will probably start getting paid in arrears.
This is why Breakaway recommend them to bring enough cash to cover all their expenses during their first weeks in the UK.
• For the Au-pair package, candidates should always bring a little bit of cash with them, just in case the pocket money given by their host family is not enough to cover the costs of activities they might want to undertake during their stay in the UK.
• Finally candidates applying for the Work Experience package must bring enough cash to cover all their expenses during their stay in the UK. The amount to bring will depend on the length of their stay of course.
How much will I get paid?
- If they work in the hospitality/catering industry, candidates will get paid the legal minimum wage:
· Workers between 18 and 20 will get paid £4.98 gross an hour (€5.98), so roughly £199 gross (€240) a week if they work 40 hours.
· Workers aged 21 or older will get paid £6.08 gross an hour (€7.30), so £243 gross (€292 approximately) a week if they work 40 hours.
Tax and National Insurance Contributions will then be taken off their wages, which roughly represent 20%.
- As Au-pairs, candidates will be offered accommodation and full-board by their host family. Therefore they will not get paid a proper wage, but some pocket money, minimum £50 a week, for looking after the children and helping out with other duties.
- As students on work experience scheme, candidates will not get paid during their placements.
Is my placement guaranteed when I arrive in the UK?
Breakaway commit to arrange for their clients interviews and trial periods with potential employers. It will then be up to the candidates to make all the necessary efforts to prove to their future employer that they deserve the job.
What will be my job?
Regarding the paid placements, there are many positions available within the hospitality and catering industry: waiter/waitress, barman, chambermaid, receptionist, chef, kitchen assistant, porter etc.
The position that a Client will be offered will depend on their level of English, experience, attitude and motivation.
Now, the duties and responsibilities of a Student during their work experience placement will be stated on their work experience clauses.
Where will I be working?
• For the Classic, Winner, Summer and Work Experience packages, candidates will be placed in the South East part of England, around Brighton. Please note that Breakaway try not to place any of their clients in London where life is very expensive and where a lot of French people live.
• For the Au-pair package, candidates will be placed wherever host families are looking for Au-pairs when sending their applications, which means that it can be anywhere in the UK.
Will my salary allow me to cover all my expenses? (Food, accommodation, going outs...)
For the Classic, Winner and Summer packages, candidates will, as mentioned above, get paid the minimum legal wage, which is obviously not very high. But if they manage their money properly and spend it consciously, they should definitely be able to cover all expenses with their salary.
Can boys apply for the Au-pair package?
Boys can apply for the Au-pair package, however they must know that girls are usually more appreciated and successful in this position. Therefore, as well as fulfilling the other criteria, boys must:
· drive
· be 20 or older
· be available for a minimum of 10 months.
I don’t have any experience in the hospitality/catering industry, is it a problem?
If candidates don’t have any experience within the industry, they will have to undertake a training period for a week or two before starting your job. Candidates won’t get paid during that period, but will learn everything that they need to know, which will secure their job afterwards.
What is the English level required?
For the Classic, Winner, Summer and Au-pair packages, candidates must have an intermediate level of English. For the Work Experience package, an upper intermediate level of English is required. If Breakaway consider their level too low, candidates will have to take some English lessons before starting their job.
The way I look, is it important?
English people are usually very tolerant. However, in the hospitality and catering industry particularly, candidates must be clean and presentable, piercings and tattoos are not acceptable.
What do I need to take with me when I leave France?
· ID/passport
· Some cash in Pounds Sterling
· Personal belongings (as well as sheets, sleeping bag, bath towels etc...)
· A driving licence (if candidates have one)
· An international credit card to be able to withdraw money in the UK
· The European Health Insurance card, but also a personal insurance
· Uniform for work (but this will be confirmed when time is appropriate)
· Dictionary, adaptors