Starting work in the UK

Hi Colleagues,

I am an Australian-trained physiotherapist who has recently relocated to London. I have just received my HPC approval and am therefore ready to begin work in the UK. I have signed up with one agency and am awaiting job offers through the NHS, but understand that it is very quiet at the moment and few positions are currently available. I worked in private practice straight out of university back home, therefore musculosketal therapy is not only my main area of expertise, but also my main interest. I have heard, however, that clinics over here in London will avoid employing international physiotherapists with less than 5 years of clinical experience. Does anyone know if this is true? I have only 18 months of full time experience as I have spent the last year travelling through North America. Will this greatly reduce the chances of me securing a job?

On a completely different topic, due to me being a bit rusty after a year of travel, can anyone recommend the best way for me to go about signing up to do some continuing professional development courses? Do I need to be a Chartered member? Where can I find information about doing a clinical pilates course?

I apologise for all the questions, and would greatly appreciate anyone that can help, even by answering just one of the many queries I have!

Thank you, kind regards.