Yep, that's us and I have noticed how people often go through the most amazing twists and turns of process in deciding whether to return to the UK.

On of the most regular questions is "how long should we give it?"

I have posted before that I was advised two years and I took that advice, yet it was three years before I started to feel settled.

Now, almost four years and I am "on the turn again".

Why - I think when people decide to return it is often a cumulation of events that clinch it or at least move the person in that direction.

Recently we have been looking at High Schools for our children. Those of you who remember me posting in the early days will recall how difficult it was for us to find appropriate support for our adopted boys. Boys had educational special needs. Four years on and we got a lot of support after a lot of hard work and throwing a bit of cash at the problem. Now we come to High School and it appears as if the UK, in particular the LEA of Westminster may be able to offer better support for the kids.

Work wise - I have gone from finding it totally difficult to find a job despite 8 years of University and Post grad education to being run off my feet. Yet - and this is the big on, almost all of the work has been short term contract. The only perm. part-time is in the Health Service here and they have been terrible employers.

I was promised that my grade would be looked at on the day I began as i was shocked by the low level of pay. Yep - they could not tell me at the interview how much I would earn because I did not fall neatly into a state award.

It took them a year and no increase was given. I then resigned only to be informed that a new pay award was going to be introduced for professionals within my category. It looked like I was up for between a third and 50% increase and it was to backdated.

That process has taken 10 months and now I have been informed that there will be no change to my pay but I can appeal. Of course i will appeal but it would seem so much easier to return to the UK and get a job back in the NHS on a salary more than double what I am earning. i would not have to work all of the small contract jobs to make ends meet either.

So next week I head back to London to look at schools that the education authority have arranged for me to do. It will include private an state schools. I will also have a meeting with the special needs education officer. I will also have a holiday, see my mates, take a short trip to Paris and another to Hungary. Am i looking forward to it? You bet your life. Will we be back in the UK in May 2009.

Crystal ball anyone?

Ian

Hi Ian
Glad your boys are getting the support now, you fought so long for.
It does seem people get itchy feet around the time of their childrens' milestones.
I can only speak from my experience but I got my kids into a fantastic state school with no problems. The youngest only has 20 in a class, so like private! I know though that a lot of posters have had problems getting into schools of their choice due to catchment areas. i know people who rented short term a couple of months for the postcode, applied for the school place, hey presto got it, only to "move" out of the area a couple of months later when placements secured.
It does seem to be the standrd reply you will get is, you need to be in the right postcode to get considered, (so I wouldnt take that as a definte no)but saying that - once in the country, if you are out of catchment and there are places, you would/should be offered it.
But, from what you are saying, you have all bases covered - its fantasic you have a meeting with local schools and the special needs education officer.
And enjoy your break around Europe and catching up with your old friends.
Good luck and Im sure you will make the best decision. No crystal ball necessary. You - as a parent - do what you think is [I]right at the time[I] How could that ever be a "bad" decision?
C

Thanks for your words of encouragement. I wonder how many other people go through the same anguish for so long of should we should we not return?
Ian

At least you are engaged in active decision making not just going with the flow and regretting it down the track. From what you have said, it certainly seems like the best opportunities are to be had back in UK - and not just financial ones either. You are almost at the point of no return though, once kids get into High School you are really sort of stuck here until they have finished school - the older they are the more difficult it is to put them into a new system! Good luck with your decision - I hope it becomes crystal clear to you once you have made the trip!

I remember you Ian, you've been through so much with one thing and another and you're such a damn good dad it's ridiculous!

I hope the trip back goes well and you find Blighty to be welcoming. Keep us posted eh? All the best x