Urgent Move Back to UK Likely

[Franklin05]

Husband and I moved out to OZ 10 years ago, in that time we've moved to 4 states looking for work, got a dog and had two kids and finally after securing permanent work built and bought a house, with the view to returning to the UK in about 3 to 5 years time (missing culture and family - who are now getting on and in need of extra support).

Husband has had a few difficulties with work, new management, change in direction of the organisation and he along with another staff member have become the fall guys and management are looking to remove them and I guess start afresh, not necessarily an easy process and HR and unions are involved. Husband has been essentially been given 2 months, until precisely what they wont clarify but from the way things are at the moment we're expecting him to be leaving the organisation one way or another. 

So the move to the UK we had planned in a few years will now be in the next few months. It's a lot to take in, remaining or moving (yet again) in Australia is not really a possibility due to costs (our last interstate move cost about $10,000 for furniture removal, vehicle transport costs and our flights), securing work and that fact that we have already done that more times than I care to remember, practically it makes sense to return to the UK sooner. Mine and my daughters UK passports are expired, we haven't even gotten around to getting our sons. We are located remotely, there are limited jobs, and a down turn in the property market so we can't sell and will have to rent the house out. We have very little money, most of that went into the house and my parents will be supporting us finically to return and to get set up there.

I feel so overwhelmed, especially with all the uncertainty going on with Brexit and the austerity measures, our daughter requires a specific medication, and several therapies and occasional in class support - we had been hoping to get most of these these therapies out of the way before returning and I am so worried about the affect this will have on her. I know once resident we will be entitled to NHS and school etc, but with therapy under way here there will be a gap in services and starting out on waiting lists again and a system I've not used in a decade. 

What do we need to consider in the move back? 

[ali]

I can't offer advice regarding the move back - but there are some members who will be a mine of information for you.  I just want to lend some emotional support, I think you're right given your current circumstances that you make the move sooner rather than later if that was always your intent.

I'm guessing that there may be some wait for specialist therapies (particularly in demand), to get additional support in school may require some testing etc., so it would be wise to get any reports you can and diagnoses which may ease that access to services once you're eligible  @Quoll is usually very helpful in regard to education

Good luck with the move back, use the forum for both practical advice and some moral support even if it's to just let out your frustrations xx

[Franklin05]

Thank you, I do really appreciate you commenting, I've just called my mum for the second time this evening in tears, so your kindness has helped. 

I guess as I think of questions over the next day or two I will be putting them up here and searching for previous peoples questions. Hubby is at least applying for jobs here, what few there are, but that will only buy us a little more time to plan. 

[VERYSTORMY]

First, break down the practical stuff to what has to happen.

Passports probably first. These can be done online.

If you have pets, speak to some good pet shippers such as Dogtainers. This needs to be done early.

If you are moving really quick, you probably won't have the time to arrange to ship all your possessions. But, you will have time to arrange a MoveCube. These come in three sizes and you would be surprised what you can get in! 

In which case, start thinking about what you will sell and doing so.

Start job hunting back in the UK.

Look at schools and speak to / contact the schools in the area you are hoping to move to. 

Speak to property management agents about renting out your property. If you do decide to sell later, this can be done from the UK.

With regard health / medications, get a copy of medical records and take these with you. I take a number of medications and it wasn't an issue. 

I know it seems daunting. But, we did it in less than a week from the position you are in now. 

[Franklin05]

Thank you, I had heard of MoveCube before and could not for the life of my remember their name. 

We are pretty much doing all of these things this evening, so I am glad we are on the right track. Thankfully I've been vigilant in keeping medical records for my daughter and I've left a message for someone who works at a charity for people with her medical condition - I know at least in Australia that GPs cannot prescribe her meds as it has to be a specialist so it will be helpful to find out more about this from the charity. 

Can't believe you did it in less than a week, we're looking at it being about 2.5 months, and that feels too soon. 

[VERYSTORMY]

Generally, from my experience, if a medicine is normally only prescribed by a specialist, a GP can still do the repeat prescription 

[Amber Snowball]

You will need to register with a GP asap when you get back. Will you be staying with parents? You’ll need evidence of residency to register. Maybe a bank statement or uk drivers license? Therapies etc are commissioned via GPs so you won’t get anything until you have the GP so the therapy service can claim their funding.

That said, a lovely ophthalmologist agreed to see my mum for ongoing treatment when we returned without a GP. We just advised him when she had got registered and he then submitted the back dated claims.

Funding for the school help comes via EHCP usually. That is an Educational Healthcare something or another. School can get the ball rolling with an ed psych assessment and/or a Child Development Assessment via the paediatrician. Take as much info as you can.

I used a movecube, found them very good. There are a number of threads on here about them.

What state are you currently in? I mean in Australia, not level of stress!!!

[Quoll]

I'm in the throes of moving in the reverse direction (unfortunately for me) without all the additional stresses you have but it's still pretty daunting. Sadly I'm not that good about education moves to UK, I'm more Au fait with the Australian system.  But, that said, the vast majority of returnees I have spoken to who have kids with special needs say that the service they have had in UK knocks spots off what they had in Australia. You've got comprehensive reports so you're definitely on the right track. You could approach schools once you know where you will be living and see what advice you get. They'll be able to get you organised for whatever level of support may be necessary. 

My experience of the NHS (with frail aged folk mainly) had that is been amazing but everyone seems to whinge constantly about appointment times which, compared with what I've had in Australia are astonishingly quick for a free service.

We have decided on the Move Cube option - we don't have much but we have been here 8 years now and my wool stash rather reflects that as does the DH'S book collection. We are clearing out my parents house of 35 years detritus and sentimental value so lots on Free cycle and the local charity shop is going to get fed up with seeing  us! I think it would be easier if it was our own stuff rather than someone else's precious belongings. 

I'd be optimistic, I've not meet many who haven't been able to find a job and it seems to me that there is much less age discrimination here. You're lucky to have the parental backstop option to tide you over. 

Good luck! We may cross in the air - our move depends on how quickly the house sells and fingers crossed its in one of "those places" that everyone wants (worst house in best Street thing). Then we return to our own house which is half renovated and sort of have to stay again with the declutter ruthlessness. I hope your move on is going to be more satisfying than I fear mine will be.

[Franklin05]

2 hours ago, Amber Snowball said:

You will need to register with a GP asap when you get back. Will you be staying with parents? You’ll need evidence of residency to register. Maybe a bank statement or uk drivers license? Therapies etc are commissioned via GPs so you won’t get anything until you have the GP so the therapy service can claim their funding.

That said, a lovely ophthalmologist agreed to see my mum for ongoing treatment when we returned without a GP. We just advised him when she had got registered and he then submitted the back dated claims.

Funding for the school help comes via EHCP usually. That is an Educational Healthcare something or another. School can get the ball rolling with an ed psych assessment and/or a Child Development Assessment via the paediatrician. Take as much info as you can.

I used a movecube, found them very good. There are a number of threads on here about them.

What state are you currently in? I mean in Australia, not level of stress!!!

In the NT, Darwin and pretty stressed, it's 4 am and I've maybe had about two hours sleep. Hubby is stressed to the max over work, end boss is making life pretty unpleasant. I'm currently in talks with the main UK charity who support my daughters condition and once we know if we are heading to my parents or a friends (opposite ends of the UK) they can give us Dr info which I think may be a backdoor way in. I'm freaking out over her needs, we've not long know about her condition and the medication is essential to her growth. 

Are you heading back to Australia then? 

There is a local Move Cube office and I'm going to call them at a more reasonable hour than this. We have a lot to sort and it is so overwhelming, I'm pretty sure that one day we will get there. 

Fair to say we will not miss the Australian work environment, we have found it highly stressful with regards to age, needing qualifications for absolutely everything, and this may just be our experiences as there are so many lovely kind Aussies, but management who make working so much harder than it has to be. 

[Franklin05]

2 hours ago, Amber Snowball said:

You will need to register with a GP asap when you get back. Will you be staying with parents? You’ll need evidence of residency to register. Maybe a bank statement or uk drivers license? Therapies etc are commissioned via GPs so you won’t get anything until you have the GP so the therapy service can claim their funding.

That said, a lovely ophthalmologist agreed to see my mum for ongoing treatment when we returned without a GP. We just advised him when she had got registered and he then submitted the back dated claims.

Funding for the school help comes via EHCP usually. That is an Educational Healthcare something or another. School can get the ball rolling with an ed psych assessment and/or a Child Development Assessment via the paediatrician. Take as much info as you can.

I used a movecube, found them very good. There are a number of threads on here about them.

What state are you currently in? I mean in Australia, not level of stress!!!

Sorry, I just realised that when I asked about you returning to Oz, and that was someone else moving back. I wish I could sleep, I really need it!

[Franklin05]

2 hours ago, Quoll said:

I'm in the throes of moving in the reverse direction (unfortunately for me) without all the additional stresses you have but it's still pretty daunting. Sadly I'm not that good about education moves to UK, I'm more Au fait with the Australian system.  But, that said, the vast majority of returnees I have spoken to who have kids with special needs say that the service they have had in UK knocks spots off what they had in Australia. You've got comprehensive reports so you're definitely on the right track. You could approach schools once you know where you will be living and see what advice you get. They'll be able to get you organised for whatever level of support may be necessary. 

My experience of the NHS (with frail aged folk mainly) had that is been amazing but everyone seems to whinge constantly about appointment times which, compared with what I've had in Australia are astonishingly quick for a free service.

We have decided on the Move Cube option - we don't have much but we have been here 8 years now and my wool stash rather reflects that as does the DH'S book collection. We are clearing out my parents house of 35 years detritus and sentimental value so lots on Free cycle and the local charity shop is going to get fed up with seeing  us! I think it would be easier if it was our own stuff rather than someone else's precious belongings. 

I'd be optimistic, I've not meet many who haven't been able to find a job and it seems to me that there is much less age discrimination here. You're lucky to have the parental backstop option to tide you over. 

Good luck! We may cross in the air - our move depends on how quickly the house sells and fingers crossed its in one of "those places" that everyone wants (worst house in best Street thing). Then we return to our own house which is half renovated and sort of have to stay again with the declutter ruthlessness. I hope your move on is going to be more satisfying than I fear mine will be.

Thank you, all I ever hear is very negative things about the NHS and that scares me. Especially with how easy even getting a GP appointment here, in Darwin at least, is as the surgeries are open till 8.30 and at weekends. That said after a year or so of GP's who don't listen 3 new ones who are all great have started and they are all from the UK, so as long as they are not all leaving in droves, some good ones should still be left  

We have continually found work hard to obtain and for it to be pleasant environment, hence why we have moved interstate 4 times. At the  moment with all the changes that have occurred in my husbands work place he has found the environment to be a very unpleasant one and stressful one, everyone seems to be on the attack. We both found work easier in the UK, but that might be different in the current climate with the uncertainty of Brexit looming over the country, from the outside in it seems that no one knows what will happen.

What prompted the return to Oz for you?

[Amber Snowball]

12 minutes ago, Franklin05 said:

Sorry, I just realised that when I asked about you returning to Oz, and that was someone else moving back. I wish I could sleep, I really need it!

That’s ok, quoll is moving back to Australia. 

I have returned to work in the NHS and it’s not great that’s for sure but it wasn’t when I left it 14 years ago either. The staff will want to do the best they can for you, the system hampers their efforts sometimes. Bring a stash of her meds with you if you can.

The charity certainly sounds helpful and if you are intending on staying in the UK I can’t see the NHS refusing to treat a child.

Definitely get the dog sorted and your movecube. I had a large one and had space to spare.

As for Brexit I wouldn’t even bother about it, they are amusing themselves going on round in circles as we speak.

It’s not utopia but I am much happier at work in the Uk than I was in Australia.

Good luck. Take a breath and make a list. Then start working your way through it. I feel for you, your situation sounds hugely stressful. Sending hugs.  

[Quoll]

I promised my DH we would return when we were no longer needed to support my parents.  My dad has decided that he needs to be in a care home now so we are having to sell up his stuff and we will leave him in care.  I feel sad that we are having to do that but we cant afford to live here unless we move lock stock and barrel and that would be financially ruinous for us  - we are past the point of no return and DH is an Aussie.

Dont panic about Brexit - the Remainers are spinning all sorts of doom but once we leave (fingers crossed) there will be scope for a much better future and more opportunities. 

Dont envy you Darwin - not the sort of place that I would like to spend awfully much time and it sounds like you have done the hard yards for a long time with all your moves.

[Franklin05]

20 minutes ago, Quoll said:

I promised my DH we would return when we were no longer needed to support my parents.  My dad has decided that he needs to be in a care home now so we are having to sell up his stuff and we will leave him in care.  I feel sad that we are having to do that but we cant afford to live here unless we move lock stock and barrel and that would be financially ruinous for us  - we are past the point of no return and DH is an Aussie.

Dont panic about Brexit - the Remainers are spinning all sorts of doom but once we leave (fingers crossed) there will be scope for a much better future and more opportunities. 

Dont envy you Darwin - not the sort of place that I would like to spend awfully much time and it sounds like you have done the hard yards for a long time with all your moves.

We are in a similar situation financially. Hubby loosing his job means we can't afford to house, so have to rent it out and forces an earlier return. Darwin is great between May and August, but out of that the heat and humidity it unbearable. I have also found it to be easier to make friends here, but they don't satay long. 

A few people have said that to us about Brexit, and I guess we are banking on that being the case. 

I'm gutted that we are leaving the house we designed and built a year ago, the transition from it being our family home to a rental investment is hard. 

[Franklin05]

1 hour ago, Amber Snowball said:

That’s ok, quoll is moving back to Australia. 

I have returned to work in the NHS and it’s not great that’s for sure but it wasn’t when I left it 14 years ago either. The staff will want to do the best they can for you, the system hampers their efforts sometimes. Bring a stash of her meds with you if you can.

The charity certainly sounds helpful and if you are intending on staying in the UK I can’t see the NHS refusing to treat a child.

Definitely get the dog sorted and your movecube. I had a large one and had space to spare.

As for Brexit I wouldn’t even bother about it, they are amusing themselves going on round in circles as we speak.

It’s not utopia but I am much happier at work in the Uk than I was in Australia.

Good luck. Take a breath and make a list. Then start working your way through it. I feel for you, your situation sounds hugely stressful. Sending hugs.  

Thank you. Your perspective is helpful and easing my mind.

NHS will definitely treat her, but it's just getting it into place I guess. Sorting the dog and move cube today, along with a few other things. 

I've been at home with the kids, but struggled to find work I was happy in, I only have GCSEs (now two Cert IIIs which I obtained while at home with the kids) and found it hard to get work, where as in the UK I had a very good, skilled job that the employer trained me for. So I'm hoping the UK will be easier for me work wise. 

Thank you for the hugs and kind words, as odd as it may be to receive such things from strangers online, they are helping me. 

[Vickie78]

I'm not "urgent" but planning to move to the U.K by Jan at the latest (I don't want to stay here anymore and need to get kids into school there asap) , I too am overwhelmed but we can do it. My ex has signed a letter allowing me to apply for Passports for the kids/stay in the U.K. Phew! So i am about to apply for mine and theirs. That's step one. Once we have those (6 weeks ish fingers crossed) I will then do a TOR for Movecube I  am taking two bikes, and 10 boxes.  That seems to take 3 weeks(tor app).

After that will be selling my car, selling anything else of value (Fridge etc) giving away anything else and chucking the rest in a skip.

Then it will be sorting out the final things like outstanding bills, ending lease/getting bond back, cancelling/pay out remainder of phone contract so it's unlocked for the U.K. Keeping Aus bank account open (telling them going overseas so don't block my card) until I can sort out a U.K one, once that is done transfer money across. Sorting out temp accomodation over there, and then looking for a rental/job)

Getting on the plane and going home. 

Scary and exciting all at the same time. My trick is not to overthink things, it will work out  

Edited September 4, 2019 by Vickie78

[Franklin05]

54 minutes ago, Vickie78 said:

I'm not "urgent" but planning to move to the U.K by Jan at the latest (I don't want to stay here anymore and need to get kids into school there asap) , I too am overwhelmed but we can do it. My ex has signed a letter allowing me to apply for Passports for the kids/stay in the U.K. Phew! So i am about to apply for mine and theirs. That's step one. Once we have those (6 weeks ish fingers crossed) I will then do a TOR for Movecube I  am taking two bikes, and 10 boxes.  That seems to take 3 weeks(tor app).

After that will be selling my car, selling anything else of value (Fridge etc) giving away anything else and chucking the rest in a skip.

Then it will be sorting out the final things like outstanding bills, ending lease/getting bond back, cancelling/pay out remainder of phone contract so it's unlocked for the U.K. Keeping Aus bank account open (telling them going overseas so don't block my card) until I can sort out a U.K one, once that is done transfer money across. Sorting out temp accomodation over there, and then looking for a rental/job)

Getting on the plane and going home. 

Scary and exciting all at the same time. My trick is not to overthink things, it will work out  

Wish we could give ourselves that much time, ideally if I could we would but I do not think that is going to happen. I think because this has happened so quickly it's a bit of a juggle to plan everything so quickly. 

[Vickie78]

1 minute ago, Franklin05 said:

Wish we could give ourselves that much time, ideally if I could we would but I do not think that is going to happen. I think because this has happened so quickly it's a bit of a juggle to plan everything so quickly. 

I'm only going by January because that is when my current 12 month lease runs out and I don't want to continue it. If I had passports already I'd be tempted to just get on a plane. Stuff doesn't mean anything to me and can be replaced. Happiness far outweighs material things for me.  But realistically I do need to take some stuff, It may not even be 10 boxes that's just a guess at this point. I do need to go through each room and decided sell/giveaway/throw/take because I have two kids. hehe. So yeah Jan at the latest for us. 

Your passports will be quicker than ours, ours is longer due to me never leaving Aus since mum moved her back in the 90's and kids haven't had one before either so we are all first timers in HM Passport eyes. Annoying as I was on my mums, but it is what it is. 

I'd rather be gone sooner, if only we could swap hehe. 

Where abouts in the U.K will you be off too? That's something We still need to work out too. I grew up in Dorset before we came here, so no idea where to go now.  Googling is doing my head in. LOL. 

[Franklin05]

1 hour ago, Vickie78 said:

I'm only going by January because that is when my current 12 month lease runs out and I don't want to continue it. If I had passports already I'd be tempted to just get on a plane. Stuff doesn't mean anything to me and can be replaced. Happiness far outweighs material things for me.  But realistically I do need to take some stuff, It may not even be 10 boxes that's just a guess at this point. I do need to go through each room and decided sell/giveaway/throw/take because I have two kids. hehe. So yeah Jan at the latest for us. 

Your passports will be quicker than ours, ours is longer due to me never leaving Aus since mum moved her back in the 90's and kids haven't had one before either so we are all first timers in HM Passport eyes. Annoying as I was on my mums, but it is what it is. 

I'd rather be gone sooner, if only we could swap hehe. 

Where abouts in the U.K will you be off too? That's something We still need to work out too. I grew up in Dorset before we came here, so no idea where to go now.  Googling is doing my head in. LOL. 

Dorset will be nice if you are thinking of going back there. We are looking at Manchester Leeds areas, we have support networks around that area and it looks like there are jobs in hubby area.

I think we can get in on our Oz passports, not necessarily the right thing to do, but we all have citizenship so....

You mentioned about opening up a UK bank account, HSBC have an international account, I set one up last night online. Should make it easier to access money from the UK without all the excessive fees etc. 

[Vickie78]

11 minutes ago, Franklin05 said:

Dorset will be nice if you are thinking of going back there. We are looking at Manchester Leeds areas, we have support networks around that area and it looks like there are jobs in hubby area.

I think we can get in on our Oz passports, not necessarily the right thing to do, but we all have citizenship so....

You mentioned about opening up a UK bank account, HSBC have an international account, I set one up last night online. Should make it easier to access money from the UK without all the excessive fees etc. 

Not sure where to go at the mo. Trying to narrow it down to a good/decent secondary school (not private) with good job prospects and rent that isn't too insane. LOL. 

I shall look into HSBC I know Lloyd's have a returning to U.K bank account too, which I also need to look deeper into as well. Thank you  

eta: Am I reading that right? There are ZERO fees for using HSBC card overseas? Says $0.00 for cash withdrawal and 0% of the total value amount of each such transaction for purchases? 
 

Edited September 5, 2019 by Vickie78

[Amber Snowball]

@Vickie78 makes a good point, get your TOR underway for what things you are bringing back so you avoid paying VAT on them. There is a thread on here about it.

I am originally from the south east but have returned to the north west. Liverpool, Chester way. It’s got everything to hand and work is available. The city centres seem to be a bit knifey/stabby is probably the biggest concern crime wise. 

[ali]

16 hours ago, Quoll said:

I'm in the throes of moving in the reverse direction (unfortunately for me) without all the additional stresses you have but it's still pretty daunting. Sadly I'm not that good about education moves to UK, I'm more Au fait with the Australian system.  But, that said, the vast majority of returnees I have spoken to who have kids with special needs say that the service they have had in UK knocks spots off what they had in Australia. You've got comprehensive reports so you're definitely on the right track. You could approach schools once you know where you will be living and see what advice you get. They'll be able to get you organised for whatever level of support may be necessary. 

My experience of the NHS (with frail aged folk mainly) had that is been amazing but everyone seems to whinge constantly about appointment times which, compared with what I've had in Australia are astonishingly quick for a free service.

We have decided on the Move Cube option - we don't have much but we have been here 8 years now and my wool stash rather reflects that as does the DH'S book collection. We are clearing out my parents house of 35 years detritus and sentimental value so lots on Free cycle and the local charity shop is going to get fed up with seeing  us! I think it would be easier if it was our own stuff rather than someone else's precious belongings. 

I'd be optimistic, I've not meet many who haven't been able to find a job and it seems to me that there is much less age discrimination here. You're lucky to have the parental backstop option to tide you over. 

Good luck! We may cross in the air - our move depends on how quickly the house sells and fingers crossed its in one of "those places" that everyone wants (worst house in best Street thing). Then we return to our own house which is half renovated and sort of have to stay again with the declutter ruthlessness. I hope your move on is going to be more satisfying than I fear mine will be.

Good luck with the move Quoll xx

[Franklin05]

4 hours ago, Amber Snowball said:

@Vickie78 makes a good point, get your TOR underway for what things you are bringing back so you avoid paying VAT on them. There is a thread on here about it.

I am originally from the south east but have returned to the north west. Liverpool, Chester way. It’s got everything to hand and work is available. The city centres seem to be a bit knifey/stabby is probably the biggest concern crime wise. 

What is the TOR?

 

[Amber Snowball]

5 hours ago, Franklin05 said:

What is the TOR?

 

It’s a Transfer Of Residence that HMRC requires where you declare your possessions are yours and not for resale. You need to get the dog on there as well otherwise they’ll charge you 20% vat on him! 

When I did mine last year, it is online and you have to do it one go. No saving it and returning to it later. You had to put “live animal” in the subject line of the email and they fast tracked it.

Have a look at the sticky threads at the top of the UK chat section on here, I think it’s there. Lots of information on that thread.

You don’t have to list everything. I put ‘clothes’ ‘kitchen utensils ‘ that sort of thing. I also listed everything I thought I might take but the final shipment had less than half the TOR list in it and there was no issue.

As I say I moved last year and the system was still new then so hopefully it’s improved since then. I would say scan documents at the lowest resolution as the email size limit was tiny! You should get an acknowledgement email straight away. If you don’t it probably means they haven’t received it and email size was a cause of this. 

Your pet and possession shippers will want the TOR number for their paperwork.

[LKC]

I don't have an awful lot of advice to offer, but we moved back two years ago yesterday, and it has by far been the best thing we've ever done! There is some uncertainty about the whole Brexit thing, but day to day so far it isn't really affecting our lives. Sadly my husband and I have parted ways since we moved back, but even though we moved to a different area of the UK than we were from, I have found it incredibly easy to build up a good network of friends, who have been absolutely my rock over the past year or so.

Just a quick note on the passports - If you have Australian passports, you can travel on those (i.e. show them to the airline at check in), but you can enter the UK on expired British passports, because that is exactly what we did. Our children were 1 and 2 when they had their passport photos taken, and were 9 and 11 when we moved back, and aside from the passport control man making a joke about how they didn't look like their photos any more, the only other thing he said was 'Welcome home!'. There is no obligation to hold a passport, and the fact that you have one, expired or not, proves citizenship to enter.