Au Pair for Neurodivergent siblings in Somerset West

Somerset West, South Africa Posted on 19/02/2026

We are seeking an energetic, patient, and emotionally grounded au pair with a strong understanding of neurodiversity. This role involves supporting three siblings: The eldest (12-year-old boy) is autistic with developmental delays, social communication and learning difficulties. He enjoys soccer and ball games. The youngest (7-year-old boy) is autistic/ADHD with a PDA profile. He is curious, playful, and full of energy. He loves projects-woodwork, building, caring for pets, swimming and needs constant engagement. The middle child (10 years old girl) requires balance and inclusion in the family dynamic.

The ideal candidate is someone who values relationships over rules and approaches neurodivergent behaviours with patience, empathy, and confidence. They are playful, creative, and hands on-whether building, crafting, swimming, bug hunting, baking, playing soccer, or walking the dog-and bring both energy and patience to keep up with active children. Most importantly, they are seeking a meaningful, long term role with a family, offering consistency, warmth, and a safe presence for the children to thrive.

The essence of this role is to be a safe, steady presence-a companion, co regulator, and emotional anchor for the children. You'll be joining the household as an extra pair of hands to support the parents and help balance the needs of three siblings. This is a collaborative role built on trust. It is not about enforcing strict behaviour management or control. Instead, the focus is on prioritising connection over control, meeting the children with patience, creativity, and empathy. The right personality fit, presence, and attitude are what truly matter.

• Companionship and emotional support for the oldest and youngest sons
• Helping manage sibling dynamics and providing safe supervision during play
• Fostering emotional safety through predictable routines and creative, active engagement, while ensuring each child feels supported and included
• Support PDA related behaviours with a calm, low arousal approach-prioritising connection over control
• Keeping the child (youngest) engaged with projects, crafts, outdoor play, and experiments
• Supporting routines and transitions calmly and consistently
• School pick ups and outings (shared between adults and au pair)
• Joining family social events, braais, and outings as a safe presence for the children

We are looking for someone who is:

• Calm under pressure, with a nervous system that stays steady in big moments
• Patient, grounded, and emotionally intuitive
• Genuinely curious about how neurodivergent children experience the world
• Open to learning low demand, counter intuitive approaches (especially PDA informed)
• Creative and imaginative, able to invent playful ways to keep children engaged
• Physically energetic and strong enough to keep up with active boys
• Water safe and confident around a pool
• Willing to use defensive distraction (screens, novelty, humour, sensory activities) to de escalate without activating further
• Able to commit to the role as a long term source of support (at least one year)

Previous experience in au pairing or childcare/support role - Essential

• Familiarity with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) - Essential
• Familiarity with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - Essential
• Familiarity with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) - Advantageous
• Understanding of a low arousal, neuro affirming approach - Essential

• Ability to plan and implement engaging activities aligned with children's interests and needs
• Skills to reduce stress and anxiety through a low arousal approach - Essential
• Strong verbal communication with both children and parents - Essential
• Excellent organisational and time management skills - Essential
• Strong relationship building abilities - Essential

• Weekday afternoons: 1:30pm - 5:30pm
• Opportunity to work during holidays
• Support and training from the Facilitation Academy over a 4-6 week period, including access to online modules, individual training sessions, and a wide range of resources.
• Salary: R15,000 per month
• Petrol for transporting the children reimbursed at AA rates per kilometer (excluding travel from home to place of work)