British Council Families Association

Sometimes it’s nice to hear from other people in the same position as you. We have a lively online community on Facebook, where you can network with members from all over the world, ask questions and share your experiences.

Many people who are posted overseas read and contribute to the British Council Families Association newsletter, keeping up-to-date with issues that affect members around the world.

We help to ensure a smooth relocation for members who are heading overseas, both before they go and once they arrive.

In most locations, a local point of contact can give information on a range of topics.

We can advise on: 

• local living conditions - specific country and cultural information
• visas
• employment opportunities for partners: members can access local knowledge about job opportunities
• schooling: we can support you in your search for a school for your children, whether overseas or in the UK. Members also have free online access to the Good Schools Guide
• healthcare
• financial planning:  we can direct you to tax, National Insurance and pension advice
• accommodation: the local contact can advise you on finding a place to live for the duration of your post
• security: the British Council takes the security of staff and families seriously. The local point of contact can advise on security awareness.

The British Council supports accompanying partners of staff to find work and maintain their own careers during a posting.

As a member you have access to:

• group or one-to-one consultations with a careers expert, to find out what transferable skills you have, get tips on improving your CV and find advice on how to perform well in interviews. Consultations can be held remotely or in-person
• vocational training support: partners can apply for reimbursement of tuition and exam fees for specified courses
• resources: members can borrow a range of career management books
• social media training: a half-day course led by an expert trainer, providing an introduction to Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to help you stay in touch with friends, family and business contacts while you are abroad
• language training: we’ll assess your need for language training and how best to help you get to grips with local languages, on a case-by-case basis.

Excited to come home? Sad to leave? However you feel, we are here to help you get back in the swing of things.  

We offer:

• job search workshops: members can register for a one-day workshop followed by a one-to-one consultation with a career management expert. 
• education advice: we support members whose children are applying for a state school or university place in the UK. Members also have free online access to the Good Schools Guide.

The British Council may be able to support your application for naturalisation to become a British citizen. Whether we can support your application will depend on your contract terms.