Selkirk

Continuing what is fast becoming a tour of this year's Christmas decorations, here is the tree in Selkirk next to the statue to Sir Walter Scott.

I was spending the afternoon observing children's hearings, learning further about the challenges the volunteer panel members have to face and how their training and experience is put to use.

A variety of cases. One demonstrating how help at the right time can place a life on a more optimistic path.

Another highlighting the frustrations when young people simply refuse to engage with no apparent concern about their future.

And the third where procedures had to be observed while the court system moves to a decision. At one level this could have been dealt with as a matter of process, simply agreeing an extension. Instead time was taken to explore current circumstances, clarify the wellbeing of the child, tease out some issues to progress the care of the child.

All handled with care, sensitivity, thoroughness and - if the term can be applied to volunteers - professionalism.