Michael Berry:

Initial

I suppose My experience with amicus recruit has been more than I could really ask for. I was at a social work conference in Australia when I was asked what my bag was doing open. Katrina went on to explain how you must be really careful leaving you bag open when you go to London. She then asked if I had ever considered going to London to work.

I had never thought about it before but it would be nice. Katrina basically gave me some information and told me to contact her about a couple of months before I would leave, making sure I had an a Police Clearance - Some sort of ID - Passport and the right to work in the UK. I decided in Feburary to leave in April - so contacted Katrina - who processed all my details - and emailed my CV - to Mark so he could circulate it.

Arrival in the UK

I had been to the UK before but never on my own; amicus helped out here by 1) Having a place for me to stay for the first three nights 2) Helping me set up a bank account (you won't believe how hard it is - the truth be known all banks are horrible anywhere in the world) 3) Having the three job interviews when I landed. My Hostel was brilliant. I spent a week hanging around enjoying the sites of London before having my first interview (what a life!).

It's not just child protection

There are many jobs going here in London not just in child protection. I have worked in an Asylum Team. There are also jobs going in hospitals and there has been a strong push on mental health recently. What I found really supportive was the contact I was able to have with amicus recruit. They can come out and meet you to discuss job interview and fix you up with maps - who you need to speak to and can give you clues how to get there.

If you don't want child protection just talk about it DON'T WORRY

They don't just leave you in the lurch

It's reassuring to get a phone call to see how you are going,

Bonus

Training - the in house training - is really wonderful, you can do PQ1's - advance practice qualification's that run with the same trainers that run the inhouse courses that the other Council Borough's access. Long-termers - there are bonuses for staying on. I think most of all you know if you want a change - or something doesn't work you can pick up the phone and someone will help you.

What you are going to need

Do it through amicus they will look after you.

Michael Berry

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