Relocating with family or pets

If you are relocating with a family there are many additional considerations. Bristol is a great place to raise a family, work and have a social life.

Never be afraid to ask for advice from sources such as the University's International Advisers, your new manager, colleagues that you will be working with, friends that may live in Bristol already, and family. There is a wealth of advice out there which may help as you begin the process, including Working Families, the UK's national charity for working parents and carers.

Support with finding work for spouses or dependants of working age

The University has a Temporary Staffing Service (TSS) who can discuss potential placements with any working age dependants who may be coming with you.

There are many benefits to joining the TSS.

Find more about joining the TSS

If you have any questions, email: tss-mail@bristol.ac.uk.

Childcare and schools

Think about childcare and schools, perhaps even before you start looking at houses.   

Childcare before starting school (0 - 4 year olds) is not usually available free of charge and can be expensive. Expect to pay a minimum of £35 per day per child. Nurseries are usually upwards of £50 per day.

Contact nurseries or childminders and enquire about waiting lists. Many parents choose to put their children in nursery or childcare that is located nearer to their work location than home.

The University Day Nursery and Woodland House Nursery allow you to benefit from a salary sacrifice scheme where their fees are deducted from your salary before tax. You can find their admissions policies on their websites but be aware that the waiting lists for a place can be very long.

Education in the UK can be a complex and difficult system to understand especially when trying to make important decisions about your relocation. Check Bristol City Council School admissions information to find out the schools admissions process.

Children are required to attend full-time schooling from the age of 5. Depending on when their birthday falls, many children will start school at the age of 4. Children would normally attend school nearest to their home, as priority is given to children who live within a school ‘catchment area’.

The progression through school is:

1. Primary school: age 4 to 11 (this can sometimes be divided into Infant School for ages 4-7 and Junior School age 7-11)
2. Secondary school: age 11-16
3. Sixth form: age 16-18 (pupils can continue this at their secondary school or attend further education college or sixth form college)

If a child leaves school at the age of 16 they must remain in some form of education or training for at least 20 hours a week such as apprenticeships, work experience, part-time education, volunteering or training.

When making decisions about schooling you need to think about the type of school you wish to place your child in. The main divide in the UK school system is between state schools, which are funded by the government and free to attend, and independent schools which charge fees.

The UK Government’s Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (known as Ofsted) is the body responsible for regulating and inspecting schools and other childcare providers. Find the most recent Ofstead reports for education providers. 

Support with childcare costs

The UK Government runs a number of schemes to help with childcare costs, including Tax-Free childcare.

Check GOV.UK information about childcare you can get help paying for.

Relocating with pets

The UK has a rabies free status which means that the import rules are stricter than many other countries, please ensure you refer to the UK Government website (https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad) if you are considering relocating with your pet.

To bring your pet to the UK, you need:

• Microchip
• Rabies Vaccination and Certificate
• Tapeworm Treatment (for dogs)
• Pet Passport or official veterinary certificate
• Additional paperwork or endorsement depending on your country of origin

Pets travelling to the UK need: 

• A travel kennel that is approved by your airline
• A pet friendly airline
• Pet-friendly housing in your accommodation search
• Discussions with your vet about any health concerns regarding your pet before you travel.

You should also be aware that bringing dogs to the UK and bringing cats to the UK requires a slightly different process.

It is sensible to allow at least 30 days of planning time. Starting the process 1 to 3 months ahead of your date of travel allows enough time to organise the detail and deal with any challenges that may arise along the way.

Networking

Expatriate networking opportunities such as Facebook groups and expatriate groups like InterNations are a good opportunity to help you connect with other people that have relocated to Bristol and things they have found helpful.

Parent and toddler groups are a great place to meet parents, carers and grandparents with children your child's age, and your child can make new friends too. There are a huge variety of groups to choose from in Bristol in most areas of the city. Googling parent and toddler groups in your local area is the best way to find listings.