Julian Reeves gave a very emotional introduction to the work of the Seamab School near Kinross. Julian is one of the trustees of the foundation as well as a volunteer with Barnardo’s Scotland which he has continued since retiring in 2012.

Seamab is for the most traumatised and neglected children in general education. Typically, the children have awful early years and do not communicate well. Julian emphasised how Seamab allows such children to recover; fifteen pupils up to the age of eighteen at any one time.

It was also a surprise to learn that one in two children in care will become homeless in later life. It is the function of Seamab to provide facilities that prevent such a situation. It was an equal surprise to learn that there are at least fifteen thousand children in care in Scotland looked after by local authorities.

Julian’s expertise in regulating emotional responses came through his talk. Children without this link to others suffer severe deprivation and withdraw from communication. The Seamab surroundings provide the shelter and safety needed by these children looked after by some seventy people. Once the children feel safe, they will be able to learn.

Julian was thanked warmly by Douglas Sinclair who repeated the Members understanding that now so much more was known about the school and the situation of the children.