Page 14 - Staff FocusSeptember 2020

A testing time for us all – and also one of triumph in adversity

Continued from previous page “Virtual courts – while born out of necessity during the
is essential that we ensure that our staff are effectively pandemic – have the potential to vastly improve accessibility and
supported through the changes.” user experience, and this is something I look forward to working
And when you are covering a large geographical area, that brings with colleagues across the organisation to build on and refine in
added difficulties. “For me, the single biggest problem of the coming months.”
adapting to this new role has been getting to grips with a new “I’m hoping that as this crisis wanes there will be less pressure,
sheriffdom with such a geographical spread and not being able less anxiety and that we can all look back on what we have gone
to visit all of the courts as planned owing to lockdown through in 2020 with a sense of pride about what has been
restrictions,” said Laura. achieved in the most trying of circumstances,” said Neil, a hope
“This would have been a challenge even in pre-COVID times in that is shared by Laura and Lynne.
terms of not being in a position to familiarise myself with “I hope that we all have a chance to take a breath and reflect on
any of the teams, the judiciary or the estate. Add to that the the mammoth task we have undertaken during this period. There
various arrangements for the processing of custodies and are so many things we have done well, and as always, it will
business given the remoteness of some courts, it’s something I be really valuable to consider the lessons learned,” said Laura.
feel I am really just beginning to get to grips with now, but am “I do hope we continue to build on our experience of electronic
sure I still have a lot to learn.” and virtual processes, and balancing this with the traditional way of
There have been unanticipated boons from the COVID crisis too, clerking courts etc. which I know is really valued by so many of our
though. Lynne said: “I think we are now starting to see the real team, judiciary and justice partners.”
benefits of the roll-out and availability of technology. It has So what is the single most important thing that the new SBMs have
allowed SCTS to look at the way in which we deliver our service learned during these first hard months in their new job?
to customers and there is a lot that we can build on and develop Laura: “You never have all of the answers. During COVID, it has
as we progress through our recovery phase. ‘To see the team adapt and embrace sometimes felt that you didn’t have any of the answers. I’ve always
“Remote civil and criminal hearings have been challenging for innovation when the ‘normal’ job is enjoyed working with my colleagues and sharing ideas and
staff, judiciary and court users to adapt to but I personally can experience, but I think COVID really has emphasised how valuable
see the real benefit of this in the longer term. One development, hard enough was really remarkable’ collaboration is. My new favourite saying is “I’m not here to be
in particular, that I was really impressed with was the quick and Laura McGeary right, I’m here to get it right” (which I think I heard in a podcast so
effective implementation of the electronic search warrant can’t take credit for!), which is so true and takes some pressure off
process. This, without doubt, has improved that aspect of our service delivery for in terms of feeling you should be able to respond immediately and confidently to every
everyone involved in that process. Laptops being provided to staff also assisted with the question or query.”
introduction of home working during lockdown, supporting the delivery of essential Lynne: “It has taught me not to take things for granted, whether it is in work or in my
services to court users.” own personal life. I am extremely fortunate that I have a secure and rewarding job which
GH&I were the first to pilot virtual summary trials and Laura is proud with the way the unfortunately cannot be said for everyone during this pandemic.”
team rose to the challenge. “To see the team adapt and embrace innovation at a time Neil: “Enjoy the little things in life as those are the ones you miss the most when
when the ‘normal’ job is hard enough going was really remarkable. they’re gone.”