Destination Services

The Chen Family Settling in Manchester

A Hong Kong family relocated to Manchester — school search, home setup, and community integration.

May 2024·Destination services — full settling-in programme·Hong Kong → Manchester

6 Weeks

To Settled

Schools Shortlisted

Services Coordinated

Named Consultant

Throughout

The Challenge

What needed to be done

The Chen family — Michael, his wife, and two children aged 8 and 11 — relocated from Hong Kong to Manchester for Michael's new role. Neither parent had lived in the UK before. They needed a family home in a good school catchment area, school places for both children, UK bank accounts, GP registration, and support navigating the local area. The relocation timeline was eight weeks from confirmation to arrival.

Our Approach

How we delivered it

Daley & Co's destination services coordinator began work immediately on confirmation of the relocation. A detailed needs assessment was conducted remotely with the family. Three school options were shortlisted based on Ofsted ratings and catchment alignment with suitable rental properties. Virtual property viewings were arranged and a shortlist of five homes presented. On arrival, the coordinator accompanied the family to school visits, bank appointments, and GP registration. A local area orientation tour was arranged, and the family were introduced to a local Cantonese community group.

Key Actions

Remote needs assessment before arrival
Three schools shortlisted with Ofsted and catchment analysis
Virtual property viewings with five-home shortlist
On-arrival coordination for school, bank, and GP appointments
Local area orientation and community group introduction

The Outcome

The result

The Chen family were fully settled within six weeks of arrival — both children enrolled in their first-choice school, a family home secured in Didsbury, and all essential services registered. The settling-in programme was completed inside the first month of the assignment. The family have since recommended Daley & Co's destination services to two colleagues making similar relocations.