Return to UK

[justaphase]

I'm not sure if this belongs here, but after years of fighting with my ex I now have my kids with me with full consent and I think, after 15 years here, I need to get back to the UK and sort my life out. I'm 46 and my kids are almost 5 and 7. I don't have any family there and wondered how viable it was to just turn up. I would prefer to have money to rent when I arrived so I could choose where to go rather than ask for emergency housing. So I guess I would have 3000 pounds with me. God knows what to do, I cant stay here and have a normal life with them.

[theoldgit]

If you're a Brit then yes you can return to the UK at will and live wherever you please.
More complicated with the kids, it really depends on so much, are they UK passport holders, do you have legal custody etc etc.
As to emergency housing, again so many variables, if you were on your own then very little chance, with the kids in tow then maybe.

To be honest, I've really no idea.

[Jip99]

14 minutes ago, theoldgit said:

If you're a Brit then yes you can return to the UK at will and live wherever you please.
More complicated with the kids, it really depends on so much, are they UK passport holders, do you have legal custody etc etc.
As to emergency housing, again so many variables, if you were on your own then very little chance, with the kids in tow then maybe.

To be honest, I've really no idea.

 

 

I imagine that you may have experienced similar in your former life...............

 

 

How would immigration view a returning Brit with 2 kids under 8 ?  Would the situation even fall under an I/O's remit ?

[ThaidDown]

If flying into Heathrow then 'Heathrow Travel Care'  could provide an initial contact to answer questions, provide contacts and possibly  assistance.

(an acquaintance returned to UK almost destitute and they were very helpful arranging job interviews etc)

 

https://www.heathrow.com/airport-guide/terminal-facilities-and-services/social-care

 

 

[justaphase]

They are UK passport holders, there's no problems with any custody. I just havnt been back for 15 years and have no clue where to go.

[Mattd]

27 minutes ago, justaphase said:

They are UK passport holders, there's no problems with any custody. I just havnt been back for 15 years and have no clue where to go.

You need to research this carefully, gone are the days where as a British Citizen you would automatically qualify for welfare benefits, you may need to be able to sustain yourself and the children for 3 months, to prove that you intend on being resident in the UK, any money in excess of 6,000 GBP would also reduce or negate any benefits.

The first thing to consider is the children's welfare and how you are going to look after them, schools etc.

You need to decide where in the UK you would base yourself, if no family there, then look at the cost of living, likely hood of employment and so on.

3,000 GBP would not last very long, especially with the children, even if you find housing, then think of the deposit needed to secure as well.

Regarding custody, you will need to have this in writing to be allowed to depart Thailand with them, do they have valid Thai passports now, as these will be needed to clear immigration in Thailand.

If it is at all possible, you might be better leaving the children here until you have managed to settle and sort out all of the necessary things, they can join you later.

Edited March 19, 2018 by Mattd

[justaphase]

There is no-one here to leave them with, that is out of the question. I have the option of staying with an uncle in France, but only for a few weeks.

[chickenslegs]

1 hour ago, justaphase said:

They are UK passport holders, there's no problems with any custody. I just havnt been back for 15 years and have no clue where to go.

The Citizens Advice Bureau website has a lot of good information.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

You could contact them by email and describe your circumstances.

 

[strikingsunset]

Hi, I wish you well, you must have been through so much these recent years.

Could you look at some of the larger charities websites and see what services they can offer, eg Salvation Army, Shelter.

Once you have decided where to live obviously contact the local social services to see what support is available.

Good luck

 

just seen the above reply re citizens advice bureau, I didn't think of that, great advice

 

 

 

Edited March 19, 2018 by strikingsunset
oversight

[GinBoy2]

I really feel sorry for you, it's a crappy situation you're in.

It does highlight what I have believed for a long time, cutting off all links to home is a really really bad thing.

None of us knows what will happen in the long run, for God's sake sake a huge % of us were married before in our home countries and divorced, which is never easy, sometimes terrible.

For Americans we tend to always keep a bolt hole, if for no other reason the US almost requires it to maintain taxation status, residency, bank accounts, drivers license, you name it.

I have unfortunately come across many Brits (and you do seem to be in the ascendency in terms of numbers of farang men) who just up sticks, sell everything and move to Thailand, then the tears start when things go south, which experience tells us it can do in Thailand real fast.

Now, taking your kids into an uncertain future without anywhere to go seems reckless, but then again we have no idea what options you have to leave them here in Thailand while you go sort yourself out.

Another random thought after you said you could stay with your uncle in France for a while. Without wanting to promote sponging off the State, since you are still a resident of the European Union, are there any countries that if you showed up on their door might offer you better support while you sort things out?

Bottom line, really sorry or where you find yourself, you got a tough row to hoe in front of you.

Good Luck

[justaphase]

Thanks for the advice.

Also when I left i was signed off and taking meds for a bit of mental illness.

And I've been in jail here and not done the normal route straight home.

My life..

[justaphase]

Im only 46 now. I came here as a TEFLer when i was 31after things got shit in England

[vogie]

3 minutes ago, GinBoy2 said:

I really feel sorry for you, it's a crappy situation you're in.

It does highlight what I have believed for a long time, cutting off all links to home is a really really bad thing.

None of us knows what will happen in the long run, for God's sake sake a huge % of us were married before in our home countries and divorced, which is never easy, sometimes terrible.

For Americans we tend to always keep a bolt hole, if for no other reason the US almost requires it to maintain taxation status, residency, bank accounts, drivers license, you name it.

I have unfortunately come across many Brits (and you do seem to be in the ascendency in terms of numbers of farang men) who just up sticks, sell everything and move to Thailand, then the tears start when things go south, which experience tells us it can do in Thailand real fast.

Now, taking your kids into an uncertain future without anywhere to go seems reckless, but then again we have no idea what options you have to leave them here in Thailand while you go sort yourself out.

Another random thought after you said you could stay with your uncle in France for a while. Without wanting to promote sponging off the State, since you are still a resident of the European Union, are there any countries that if you showed up on their door might offer you better support while you sort things out?

Bottom line, really sorry or where you find yourself, you got a tough row to hoe in front of you.

Good Luck
 

If he turned up in France he would still have to pay for all medical treatment, this goes down after 60 or 65, can't remember. I lived in France for 5 years. Even the French have to pay a percentage of their medical bills, many have private insurance for such eventualities.

[lemonjelly]

Citizens advice bureau is good advice, maybe do some research as to where there’s more availability housing wise...and I’d wait until the weather over there warms up a bit before making the move


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[Eff1n2ret]

2 hours ago, Jip99 said:

How would immigration view a returning Brit with 2 kids under 8 ?  Would the situation even fall under an I/O's remit ?

No.

[sumrit]

To the OP. Your £3,000 is unlikely to last five minutes, and, if my mates experiences are anything to go by, don't expect any help from the authorities:

 

A 70 year old friend of mine recently returned to the UK after several years in Thailand. He had arranged 2-3 weeks temporary accommodation on arrival in the UK but couldn't find a more permanent flat/house to rent. Landlords insisted he paid at least 6 months deposit in advance because, with not living in the UK for some time, he couldn't provide references/guarantors. At an average of £400 pm for a one bed flat he would have to shell out £2,800 just to move in. He went to the CAB for advice but they couldn't help so they sent him to the local council who said, because he'd been living abroad, he wasn't entitled to any help for at least three months, so, basically, go away. He ended up sleeping on a friend's sofa. But, with all the stress, he ended up in hospital after having a stroke a couple of weeks or so ago. He was initially paralysed down his right hand side but has now regained his speech and partial use of his leg although his arm's still useless. Then last Thursday the Doctors said he could be discharged and go home, but not to his mates sofa. he'd have to get somewhere with a proper bed. The doctor contacted social services for him but, to date, he's not heard anything from them so he's still occupying a hospital bed that is desperately needed for somebody else.

 

What a shit way to treat a 70 year old UK citizen. Even illegals get a better deal.

 

 

[justaphase]

The whole point is to take my kids back so they get a better education and life. I'm 46 and have been here 15 years without return. I didn't come to find a wife in the first place, just get away from my savage past in sunny Stratford on Avon for a while.

 

[GinBoy2]

Another thought.

At 46, you're still young so that is very much in your favor regarding future employment.

You said you came to Thailand as a TEFL'er so you still have that to fall back on

I'm not a Brit, but based on what the others have said, showing up at Heathrow with your kids might be a really really bad thing. Last thing you want is that your kids get taken into Child Protective Services, or whatever the UK equivalent is, because you have no home for them.

Why don't you in the short term just focus on getting another teaching job in Thailand, look after your kids, then try to reach out to the UK authorities and potential employers before you get on a plane?

I'm just trying to point out, that what might be a possibility if you were alone, is probably a really bad idea with regards to your kids.

So think small increments, before diving head first into a potentially awful situation at Heathrow

[bobrussell]

If you are homeless then the local council has a responsibility to house you. It might not be nice accommodation but it would be a roof over your head. It may well be a B&B.

You do have a deposit for a rental property which is more than some do. The down side is that it might be enough to stop you turning up at the council offices declaring yourself destitute.

There is a small pot to pay for short term budget b&b while something gets sorted out. Better to head back to an area where you have or had links rather than just anywhere. Clearly not the case if you have a job lined up.

It may be that you would qualify for little help but a single parent with children would be a priority.

I would agree that planning ahead, trying to get a job in advance would be better but it is often a chicken and egg situation.

Unemployment levels are low at the moment and there are jobs out there. Might not be the best job in the world but enough to get started.

 

[Fish Head Soup]

Regarding housing these are the people you should contact. This page has online chat etc.

 

https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help