Kim & Sarah(36)

Sarah is a headhunter in the financial sector, I'm a child psychologist. We lived with our adopted daughter Mila (5) in Haarlem. Sarah was approached by an executive search firm in London that wanted to hire and sponsor her. It was an opportunity we couldn't pass up — but the complexity of emigrating as a family with an adopted child was enormous.

Sarah got a Skilled Worker visa through her employer. Mila and I came along as dependants. The adoption documents were the most complex part: we had to prove that the Dutch adoption was legally valid in the UK. That required an apostille on the adoption order, a sworn translation and approval by the Home Office. An immigration lawyer specialised in family law was indispensable.

The UK fully recognises adoption by same-sex couples — both England and Scotland have equal marriage and adoption rights. Our Dutch adoption was recognised without problems. Mila's BRP lists both of us as parents. This was a relief — we had heard stories about problems in other countries.

Hampstead was a deliberate choice. The neighbourhood is green, safe and has excellent state schools. Hampstead Heath is our backyard — Mila plays there every day. Rent is steep: £2,800 for a three-bedroom house. But Sarah's salary as senior consultant at a headhunting firm (£95,000) makes it possible. I work part-time as a child psychologist in private practice.

As a psychologist in the UK I had to register with the HCPC. My Dutch BIG registration was recognised, but I still had to go through a twelve-week application process and pay £495. The title "psychologist" is protected in the UK — you cannot use it without HCPC registration. I now work three days a week in a practice in Belsize Park and earn £200 per session.

London as a family with a young child is different from as a couple. Schools are good but competitive — we had to register Mila early via the council's online admission system. NHS child healthcare is excellent, with health visitors and free dental care for children under 18. What surprised us most: the diversity of family structures at school. Mila has classmates with two mums, two dads, single parents — nobody bats an eye. That gives an enormous sense of safety.