Anyone have experience of juggling being a magistrate and primary carer?

[kbreene]

Hi

I'm about to start training as a magistrate and will be appointed in April. I have 3 year old twins who are at pre school part time. I'm just wondering if anyone has sat as a magistrate and balanced that with having young kids. Were they flexible in terms of the days they required you to do, did they give you plenty of notice of days and did they pay for childcare?

Thanks!

Keith

The only magistrate I know personally seems to work very hard indeed and is often away at short notice. He has a partner who is primary carer for his 3 children.

I'm not saying it could not be done of course but he really seems to work very hard and long days.

Hi, yes of course you can - you will bring a valuable and much needed air of youthful via our to the Bench! . I have juggled a part time job and four children with my duties. Basically you must sit a minimum of 26 half pays per year, usually worked as 13 full days sittings - those who can, do more, up to an agreed maximum. The rota arrangements currently vary from area to area, (although all are gradually moving towards an online system), and the rota is usually set either three months or six months in advance. You notify the system of days when you can't sit, so for example, I don't sit much in school holidays and never in half term, but sit quite a lot (as I have other responsibilities) the rest of the time. You need to think about days when you can sit, and whether these will be regular each week, for example. You will be rally be expected to reach court by 9.30am and a full sitting may go on to 5pm. Magistrates leaving early are now frowned upon, as the emphasis is quite rightly on getting the maximum amount of work througha the court each day. You will need to factor in childcare arrangements. courts also sit as what are known as remand courts on Saturday mornings in some areas, and these sittings are popular with our magistrates who have child care issues. Afternoon clubs at school were a godsend for me, as was a 'share' for a long time with another mum. If you are organised it will be fine. I have been sitting for 14 years now and never regretted it - it brings a much needed dose of sanity and reality check to my own life and is very rewarding. Incidentally, there are 'short notice' sittings but these are optional and you will find that they are always grabbed by the magistrates (often local and retired) who are most flexible in their daily life. Start sitting now, and it will become easier/you can do more as your DCs grow older, that's what I did. Well done on getting selected and good luck.

PS re childcare payments, the rules are very strict, but clear. If you require to pay a childminder in order to sit - then because you have been appointed, HMTCS will reimburse you, but it has to be a charge incurred because you are sitting. If you have a full time nanny anyway, you can't pro rata charge HMTCS for her time because you have the service as part of your normal daily life and not in order to enable you to sit. if on the other hand your childminder requires a minimum booking per week for your child, you will still be able to claim for the day you sit. Hope that makes sense. you will also get a mileage allowance and a sandwich allowance, that's it.

PPS sorry for typos

That's extremely helpful - thanks very much indeed. I don't have any childcare at the moment. I'll be using it specifically for the days I'm sitting so it's good to understand the rules.

Mine were very young when I started and I arranged childcare for the days I sat. Expenses were reimbursed fairly easily. Things are a bit easier now they are both at school though, I have to admit! However I still have to arrange after school cover.
The rota is arranged a year in advance and swaps with other magistrates are fairly easy to do. Our rota clerk appreciates us swapping amongst ourselves if at all possible.
I really find my time on the bench a productive and satisfying one and hope you will too. Good luck!