AN increase in the number of working women has meant that the demands for live-in nannies and child carers has soared.

However, there is a shortage of people qualified to fill these posts and agencies are increasingly turning to other young women, particularly from eastern Europe and Australia.

Now an undercover investigation has revealed alarming loopholes in the vetting systems used by many of the country's nanny agencies.

Which? magazine says one in four agencies would be willing to place an unqualified young woman with a family.

The fact is there no legal definition of a nanny so, consequently, anyone can apply for a position, provided they have a convincing CV and a pleasant manner. So what safeguards are there for parents?

Professional bodies say parents should look for someone who has a qualification from the National Nursery Examination Board (NNEB).

Most turn to agencies because they are authorised to carry out Criminal Records Bureau checks which show convictions, reprimands and warnings by the police. They can also check government lists of people banned from working with children.

An NNEB National Diploma in Child Studies (Nursery Nursing) indicates the holder undertook a full-time two-year course and is probably the most widely recognised qualification, and the Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education, which administers the NNEB diploma, also offers a one year certificate in child care and education, covering theory and practical areas.

Carole Payne is owner of Nanny and Au Pair Connections, based in Lostock, and says she believes the undercover investigation by Which? magazine has been "greatly exaggerated".

"I've been in this business for 16 years," she says, "and when I first opened my agency in 1989 I had to apply for a special licence. That was in addition to being vetted and checked by the police.

"When the licence was phased out a number of years ago a lot more agencies opened. Obviously I can only speak for my own business but I do think the Which? report has been greatly exaggerated.

"I will not accept any nanny or au pair on my books without a certain number of references. These are then gone through with a fine tooth comb and all police checked before I will even consider sending them to a family.

"When a nanny is eventually placed with a family I advise the people employing them to also check the references -- that way everyone feels confident about the placement."

One agency investigated by Which? was willing to place a nanny with a family during the two months it would take for the results of a reference check to come back.

Carole said: "I'm sure the Which? investigation was well meant but I really can't think of any agencies I have heard of that would work that way -- I certainly do not.

A spokesman for the Professional Association of Nursery Nurses, which is campaigning for a register of nannies and child carers, said parents would be alarmed at the Which? report.

He said: "It is disturbing to think that such a high proportion of agencies (in the Which? investigation) were not properly vetting potential nannies.

"There is a real loophole here in that anyone can call themselves a nanny with no experience of childcare or qualifications."

Qualifications a parent should demand

A qualification from the National Nursery Examination Board (NNEB)

BTEC -- National Diploma in Child Study (Nursery Nursing)

ADCE -- Advanced Diploma in Childcare and Education

GNVQ -- A vocational alternative to A levels, administered by City and Guilds

CACHE -- the Council for Awards in Childcare and Education

Salaries

A nanny in London can expect to earn an average of £27,300 live-out, £21,343 live-in

Nannies in the home counties could expect £22,120 live-out, £17,458 live-in

Nannies in other cities and towns £18,786 live-out, £15,521 live-in

Rural areas £18,546 live-out, £15,450 live-in

Other perks can include use of car, mobile phone and going on the family holidays

Nanny and Au Pair Connections can be contacted on 0845 166 2216 or visited online at www.aupair-agency.com