Imagine a family arranging for their Aunt to move in and run the household for a fortnight or so; (or in the case of the older generation, a younger sister, daughter or niece). "Irish Aunts" is a specialist Employment Business and Care Agency providing short-term residential staff to run private households. They run those households around resident dependants during the absence of the usual family members or carers. Irish Aunts are most frequently used to provide holiday, sickness and hospital breaks for carers; and to cover periods of recuperation after illness or hospitalisation of people who may be vulnerable at this time. The Agency used to provide a significant number of staff that specialized in running households around children, from new-born to teenagers. However, due to lack of regular demand, we have now ceased to provide this service. Irish Aunts expect to work either five or six hours; with fifteen or sixteen hours present and on call, (during which they expect to get their night's sleep, living in as a member of the family); and three hours off, out of each twenty-four. One can usually only expect this level of cover from a member of the family. The Agency has a small number of long-term contracts with Clients, (mostly in the Greater Belfast area). However, because of the hours they work, it is usually necessary to have two staff working as a team, usually week-on-week-off or some similar pattern. Irish Aunts will do everything you would expect of your own Aunt on taking charge of the household. They will plan meals, shop, cook, do light cleaning and housework, drive (you must ask for a driver if needed), provide care and companionship and cope with any emergencies that might arise. Irish Aunts was established in 1967 by Iris I. Brownrigg, based on her own career as a Princess Christian Children's Nurse, and upon the need she found amongst families with whom she worked, for short term staff capable of dealing with virtually any eventuality. The Agency has been run since 1986 by her nephew, Jack Brownrigg. The Terms and Conditions, and Fees are published separately, and reviewed annually on 1st May.
