Profession suffers poor pay and lack of legal controls: Steve Boggan examines the plight of workers in an institution which often suffers from exploitation

THE THOUSANDS of nannies caring for children in Britain are part of a transient, often exploited class over which there is little legal control.

No one knows for sure how many people are working and calling themselves a 'nanny' because anyone can adopt the title and take on a job with neither proper qualifications nor adequate employment protection.

Nannies have been in existence as long as the middle classes have used servants. But in recent years, moves have been made to formalise the profession with the introduction of two-year courses leading to recognised diplomas issued by the National Nursery Examination Board, the National Association for Maternal and Child Welfare and the B-Tech national board.

Some argue, however, that their introduction has led indirectly to the exploitation of those without qualifications, who must undercut the professional nanny in order to land a position. In turn, the undercutting has led to a general limiting of salaries for the professionally qualified nanny.

The Professional Association of Nursery Nurses (PANN) says some nannies earn as little as pounds 60 a week for living with a family and being on-call 24 hours a day. Employers often expect housework, cooking and gardening to be included in the job description. 'Professional abuse is rife,' Pat Smail, general secretary of PANN, said. 'Often when nannies go for an interview, they are promised a contract of employment, which often never materialises, and certain guarantees about hours, duties and time off, which quickly go by the board.

'When the Children Act came into operation (in October 1991) a massive loophole was left in. Child minders have to be registered, but nannies don't. What is needed is legislation requiring nannies to be professionally qualified and registered. If they commit a breach of the law, they will be struck off. That is the only way that conditions can improve for the professionals and guarantees can be given to parents that their most precious gift - their child - is being properly cared for.'

Even nannies whose talents are appreciated by responsible families do not fare particularly well. Wages as high as Ms Beeston's pounds 250 a week are extrememly rare, according to Lindsey Blythe, editor of Nursery World, who said the highest wage a nanny can expect in Britain is about pounds 150 a week, after tax. The best pay is in the Middle East, where pounds 250 a week net, plus room and board, is not uncommon. Unfortunately, employment protection is even worse there than it is in Britain.