InBrief

The Bar Association has been considering ways in which it can assist those of its members who require assistance with childcare. The association is also seeking to better understand the needs of its members with respect to the availability of long day care in the Sydney CBD. Members are invited to complete a survey with information in relation to their long day care needs, or their likely long day care needs in the near future. The survey, which takes less than 2 minutes to complete, is available here. The survey will be open until close of business today. The Bar Association already has an arrangement with McArthur Management for the provision of emergency childcare. Information in relation to this service appears below.

Emergency childcare

McArthur Management has provided emergency childcare to members of the Bar since 2003. McArthur can make carers available in emergencies or when regular childcare arrangements break down. If, for example, the child’s usual carer is unwell, or if the member is detained in court, the carer from McArthur could be called upon to provide childcare at short notice.

All McArthur In Home Carers are fully screened in accordance with the law, have an early childhood certification/qualification and are personally interviewed and assessed by McArthur. The hourly rate for in home childcare is $43.50.

Families wishing to retain McArthur for in home child care are requested to register in advance, although this is not essential. Following registration McArthur will conduct a Home Safety Check. This is not an intrusive process, but it is required for McArthur to meet its workplace health and safety obligations. It is recommended that families who would like to have the same carer available to them when needed retain the services of that carer for a minimum of 4 hours per fortnight

McArthur can also arrange for the placement of permanent in home carers. The fee for the recruitment of a carer is 11% of the annual salary plus superannuation.

Members with an enquiry, or who wish to make a booking, can call Melissa Sciglitano or Bernadette Dunn from McArthur on 02 9277 7000. Calls made outside of business hours go to a pager service and a McArthur consultant will be advised of your enquiry/request for a carer.

General enquiries

Barristers with general enquiries in relation to childcare at the Bar are invited to get in touch with Megan Black at the Bar Association on 02 9229 1739.

19 November 2013