Cited for jury service...

[CustardSocks]

Has anyone been in this position with a child with SN? I would actually quite like to do it, but just can't think of a way to make the childcare work.

My DS is 4.5 and has autism. Also have DD, who is 2. We have no family in the city we live. My family don't live in this country and inlaws live an hour away.

I've been cited to attend court in a month. I phoned the court yesterday and explained that it's not easy to just arrange some childcare for my son. They said that I needed to send them a letter from our doctor, explaining my son's condition and they would excuse me, though I might be cited again in a year. She made it sound like I would be excused, but I'm worrying now in case they don't. Plus, the boarding on rude doctor's receptionist told me I needed to have a telephone appointment with the doctor before they could do this and I can't get an appointment until Monday.

Does anyone have any experience or advice? I'm in Scotland, in case that's relevant.

I had this a year back I wrote to the court saying I have two children with autism and I have to get them to school I was excused. We live in England so I don't know if it's different here

Is there a time limit for responding to the jury summons? If so, I suggest you write explaining the position and that you will forward the doctor's letter when he has prepared it. If you've got any other documents to support what you say, e.g. a report with the autism diagnosis, send copies.

Hi, I am in Scotland. I was excused from Jury Service when my father was terminally ill. I wrote a letter and they excused me but said I would be called again in 12 months. Exactly 12 months later I got called again. My ds was not diagnosed then and I had been excused once so felt I should do it. It was awful because I ended up on the jury of a trial that lasted 6 weeks and ds was sometimes in nursery 9am until 5.30pm. I am a lone parent with no family nearby and it was a terrible strain on me and ds for 6 weeks. I am glad I won't have to do it again for 10 years ( because it was such a long trial).

I would do as the other poster suggested and send a letter with explanation and saying doctors letter will follow. Good luck.

Hi all, thanks for your responses.

tacal that does sound very stressful!

As suggested, I will write explaining and include something with DS's dx, and why it is so difficult to arrange childcare. Then follow with the doctor's letter. Thing is, I'd really like to do it, and I do understand they need jurors for the system to work, but it's very hard when you don't have family support and a child with SN.

If they refuse, DH will have to take time off, which is far from ideal. They reimburse far less if your childcare is done by a family member/friend than if done by a registered childminder.