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Posted: November 2, 2021

This Halloween, Kibble’s campus was transformed into a terrifying Transylvania as young people decorated houses, made their way through the spooky Halloween Trail and pinned their hopes for the future in the Paisley Halloween Festival.

On Thursday 28 October, young people left no ‘tombstone’ unturned as they dressed their houses in the scariest decorations that would’ve left Frankenstein quaking in his boots. Prizes were awarded for the scariest, funniest and homemade decorations and the competition was fierce! As judges made their way round the houses, they were entertained by dancing zombies, scenes from The Shining, smouldering cauldrons, headless teddies, haunted dolls and even Pennywise hiding behind a tree. There was so much fun and excitement with young people planning and coordinating costumes, props and accessories for a number of weeks. Among the costumes we had scary dinosaurs, superheroes, black cats, zombies with petrifying make up and the witches from Hocus Pocus.

It was thanks to Aldi In Cardonald who, for the second year running, kindly donated 25 pumpkins to the children and young people at Kibble to help decorate the houses.

Under the cloak of night, it was time to make for the Haunted Halloween Trail. This was certainly not for the feint hearted. In their groups, young people tentatively followed the trail featuring terrifying props, haunting music, atmospheric smoke, dramatic lighting effects… and lots of unexpected surprises along the way! The trail hosted cackling witches, haunted pirates, scary clowns and zombies that appeared from pumpkin patches, within tunnels and hiding behind the spooky props. It’s fair to say that the children and young people were far braver than the staff who were left screaming like banshees.

After all the excitement of the trail, Carol in our home economics class was serving up delicious hot dogs and hot chocolates whilst stories were shared of what part of the trail was the most frightening and who had the best costume. The buzz around Kibble was magical and it was an evening to make lots of fun, happy memories among friends. The Halloween event was the brainchild of the education team, and what an event it was! But of course, every opportunity is a chance to learn and the many props that lined the trail were created by pupils in our expressive arts department and contributed to a range of qualifications.

Just a short broomstick journey away at Forest View, our primary years campus, children enjoyed pumpkin carving and had a very special Halloween party with lots of party games and prizes to be won. There was event Halloween themed numeracy and literacy lessons to bring some fun and magic within the classroom.

Young people also got involved in their year’s Paisley Halloween Festival themed ‘Out of This World’. Visitors came from all over to visit the historic centre where there was a host of activities and spooky installations, including a huge purple alien emerging from Paisley Town Hall. In front the abbey was a 16-foot spacecraft installation, Earthship 1, which featured inspiring artwork and messages of hope for the future from young people across Renfrewshire. For Kibble’s young people, their creations were aligned to the environment, their hopes and dreams as well as messages calling for adults to consider care experienced young people in their decision making. This was in the shadow of COP26, the world climate conference happening in Glasgow, and our ongoing commitment to Keep the Promise and improve the life chances for care experience people across Scotland.

As part of the festival Kibble young people also designed artwork inspired by renowned artist Keith Haring, which was projected on the side of the Town Hall.

The next big event on the Kibble calendar is Christmas time and the plans are already in full swing to make this another special event to remember. Happy Halloween one and all!

Posted: October 11, 2021

Meet Emma, who joined Kibble through our Staff-in-Training course. She is now qualifying as a Child and Youth Care Worker while earning a living wage and gaining valuable work experience.

What did you do before Kibble?

I worked in Glasgow airport for 10 years as an airport ambassador, mainly help, information and customer service.

Why did you apply to Kibble’s Staff-in-Training programme?

I’ve always been interested in joining the care sector and supporting children and young people, but never had the qualifications to do it. The Staff-in-Training programme was perfect for me as I got to work and get the qualifications at the same time.

What has been a highlight of your trainee experience?

I’ve loved everything about Kibble’s trainee experience. Mainly I have enjoyed building friendships with the young people. Also, learning about Kibble’s Safe Centre and becoming part of the team and having camaraderie.

What was the most challenging aspect of the trainee programme?

Returning to studying and completing the HNC in Social Services has been challenging but overall I have really enjoyed it.

What advice would you give to someone who was thinking of applying to Kibble’s trainee programme?

Go for it, it’s the most rewarding job you’ll ever do!

Find out more about Kibble’s Staff-in-Training course now.

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Visit Our Recruitment Website

Posted: October 8, 2021

Dates: 16th – 17th November, 2021 (2 days)
Location: Glasgow

Interventions for Vulnerable Youth (IVY) are facilitating G-MAP harmful sexual behaviour intervention training on 16th and 17th of November 2021. This training is specifically for those undertaking or supporting direct interventions with young people who sexually harm. Participants are expected to have a good working knowledge of issues relating to work with young people who sexually harm. This will usually mean that they have completed both foundation and assessment training in this area of work (AIM 3 or similar).

The training will focus on:

The Good Lives model as a framework for intervention planning, informed by AIM2 problem formulation
Planning services and therapeutic work
A range of intervention techniques including offence process, cognitive distortions, schemas, relationship and social skills, risk management
Key areas of intervention with the young person’s family and support system

Further information can be found at Intervention and Planning using the Good Lives Model

Location

The training will take place at Kibble’s Skills Academy (formerly The Experience) at:

2 Lothian Street,
Hillington Park, G52 4JR

Lunch will be provided, and dietary requirements will be requested when booking. You will also get a copy of the Good Lives Manual to take away as well as all relevant case studies required to participate within the training.

Cost to Attend

The training will be at a cost of £126.50 per person and can be booked by emailing learning-development@kibble.org (please include how many places you would like to book, the names of people attending the training/their emails and details of who should be invoiced).

Should you have any queries regarding the training please contact Tanya.Baillie@kibble.org / 07795540947.

Learn more about the Interventions for Vulnerable Youth (IVY) service.

Posted:

Seize the opportunity to begin a rewarding career as a Child and Youth Care Worker with Kibble. No previous experience or qualifications are required. Full training and mentoring provided.

Through the 12-month programme, you can expect to earn a living wage, gain invaluable work experience and study towards a HNC in Social Services. We are in-search of enthusiastic, compassionate and hard-working individuals with life experience who are keen to make a difference to the lives of young people.

Through a strong friendship I have built with a quiet, introverted young person, I have since encouraged them to enjoy swimming, exercise in the outdoor football pitches and get involved in the regular cook nights.
Previous trainee Child and Youth Care Worker, Emma

Find out More about Kibble’s Staff-in-Training course.

Visit our Staff-in-Training FAQs

Visit our Recruitment Website

Posted: September 16, 2021

Kibble is in-search of enthusiastic, hard-working individuals with life experience to become Child and Youth Care Workers.

Through the Staff-in-Training course, successful candidates earn a living wage, achieve a HNC and gain valuable work experience. Upon completion of the year long programme, the rewarding role of a Child and Youth Care Worker is guaranteed.

Quite often people don’t think they have the skills to work as a carer or the experience they need to be successful, however we find that it is the drive to give young people a chance at life that makes a great carer – whether their background is a mechanic, hospitality worker or stay at home parent.
Jim Gillespie, CEO

Jim Gillespie, CEO of Kibble, continued: “During the pandemic we’ve seen a trend of people looking for a more fulfilling role where they can help those in need. People have decided they don’t want to return to their old job, or they have unfortunately found themselves out of work, and are thinking of what to do next.

The Child and Youth Care trainee programme course gives people the chance to make the rewarding career change they’ve been looking for with the peace of mind they will have an income while learning on the job.

We look forward to hearing from people who are ready to take the next step towards a more fulfilling role.”

Applications will open 1^st October and candidates will have the opportunity to join online recruitment events to hear from existing Child and Youth Care Workers and gain an insight into the role.

Find Out More Now

Visit Our Staff-in-Training FAQs

Quotes from Previous Trainee Child and Youth Care Workers

Watch Our Video

Find out about the role directly from our Child and Youth Care Worker Jim. He shares an insight into what it is like working at our therapeutic primary school.

As Kibble supports five – 26-year-olds, our Child and Youth Care Worker role can offer the opportunity of job variety.

Posted:

Kibble developed Project Connect-19 to support care experienced young people disproportionately affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, the construction of a new project support team and the development of a new model of services was introduced.

About Project Connect-19

Project Connect-19 had a monumental impact and changed the lives of 51 care-experienced young people who lived or were preparing to live independently and had been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Through the project, access to a much-needed support network during an unpredictable time was made available. Many organisations usually relied upon were possibly unavailable or unreliable due to the closure, disruption, or restriction of services. The project provided individualised flexible, participant-led support and offered access to; online support, mental health counselling, a befriending service, activities to reduce social isolation, transitions advice and digital support where access to technology was a barrier.

The project ensured no one in the group was excluded. Young people had activities to look forward to and internet top-ups to join the online events. Young people were given a purpose through college and job application advice and access to resources and materials to further develop skills related to independent living. Moving forward, young people have adopted the positive behaviours learnt such as cooking, eating well, self-care and exercising, which has had a positive effect on their wellbeing.

The online group activities and private Facebook group encouraged socialising between the group of similar young people, with many providing emotional support to one another. The project has left behind a legacy of young people forming lasting friendships, which may prevent future isolation. The young people felt belonging.

The Favourite Activity was Cooking

Young People’s Stories

“I honestly do not know where I would be if it was not for this project. They have provided food for me when I had none. I don’t feel so alone now that I have other people to talk to. I could not do that because I did not have a phone or internet. I feel like part of the world again. I have made some good friends online and I rely on the recipe boxes and the internet top-ups the project has given to me. Thank you to everyone on that project because they are all brilliant and always check in with me.” – Ronnie

“I have been suffering from social isolation and low mood since COVID-19 happened. I can’t go anywhere, and I feel stuck in one place all the time. I can’t see my friends the way I used to, and this makes me feel really down. Someone from my old residential unit called me and told me about the project. I really enjoy taking part in the online activities. There is always something different happening and I get along great with the staff who keep in touch. I’m worried about when the project ends as I look forward to catching up with other people and I like the stuff the project does.” – Rebecca

“This is the best project ever. The staff supported me constantly which helped with my anxiety. I have met some friends online and I have learned to cook, I could not cook before the project.” – Rose

* The names of all young people featured have been changed to protect their identity.

Read our Project Connect-19 Report

1101-Project-Connect-19-Report

Posted: August 25, 2021

Kibble is expanding its early years’ provision with the opening of Puddle Lane, our new, state-of-the-art children’s nursery at Hillington Park, Glasgow.

Puddle Lane welcomes children aged 0-5 years old, offering exceptional childcare for Kibble staff, friends and family, and local families in the Glasgow and Renfrewshire areas. As the name suggests there is plenty of outdoor fun to be had, splashing in puddles.

Indoor and outdoor children’s nursery

At Puddle Lane there are impressive indoor and outdoor play areas for children to learn happily and naturally through the joy of play. Find us in the easily accessible location of Hillington Park, Glasgow, nearby Braehead Shopping Centre and within walking distance from Hillington West train station.

The indoor playrooms are open plan, letting children move freely. Inside, little ones can enjoy soft play with a dedicated baby zone and an indoor Astroturf play area which leads outside. There is also a dedicated dining area for enjoyable and relaxed mealtimes.

The children can venture outside to the enchanted garden, plant seeds and grow their own flowers while gaining an understanding of the natural world around them. There is more fantastic fun to be had in our outdoor playpark where children have the freedom to explore and be curious, learn and play.

Fun and play are underway at Puddle Lane

Look at our brilliant photos. For more updates, follow Puddle Lane on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Children can learn and thrive

The philosophy at Puddle Lane is centred around play and is in line with the Curriculum for Excellence. Our practice is rooted in the learnings of Philosopher Fredrich Froebel and underpinned by social pedagogy. Led by an experienced nursery manager and professional and friendly childcare team, children will learn and thrive as we instil creativity and confidence by encouraging them to learn at their own pace, and to take part in experiences which bring learning to life.

Drawing on 160 years of experience

As a leading child and youth care charity and social enterprise, we have specialist knowledge, experience and expertise in education, and early learning and childcare. Puddle Lane will follow an innovative social enterprise model and all profits will be re-invested into the nursery itself and put towards further enhancement that the children can benefit from.

“Kibble has had plans to open a children’s nursery for quite some time and it was the childcare challenges set by Covid-19 that accelerated the plan and brought the idea to life.”
Director of Education, Learning and Development, Audrey Baird

Throughout the pandemic, we offered childcare to Kibble staff and their families, and the uptake was a phenomenal success. It highlighted the demand for high quality, affordable childcare. We were determined to develop further and continue providing the service while expanding to the wider public.

Pioneering service

At Puddle Lane, we guarantee the highest standard of care is provided. Our experience and research have expanded across a national and international scale to ensure we offer the best practice in early years childcare.

Find out more

Visit the Puddle Lane Website

Tweets by puddlelaneELCC

Posted: May 12, 2021

Kibble has partnered with National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) to develop employability pathways in manufacturing and explore accessible routes into employment.

It is hoped that through the collaboration the organisations will encourage young people to consider a career in STEM, with plans to welcome pupils on regular visits to the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), one of the specialist technology centres within NMIS, when current COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

The partnership comes as work at the new NMIS HQ, at the heart of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland in Renfrewshire, gets well underway, with two thirds of the structural steel for the digital factory now in place. At around 1.5 times the size of Hampden football pitch, the full NMIS facility will include a skills academy, a fully digitalised factory of the future and a collaboration hub.

The new NMIS Manufacturing Skills Academy will link with Kibble’s very own Skills Academy, with both organisations working together to create long lasting opportunities for young people.

The organisations kicked off the partnership with a special virtual assembly for Kibble young people. Two of the AFRC’s engineering technicians who have taken alternative pathways into employment at the centre spoke to the young people about accessing a career in manufacturing, while taking them on a virtual tour of the facility. The assembly provided the opportunity for Kibble pupils to ask questions about entry routes, apprenticeships and to gain an insight into the manufacturing sector.

Jayne Clark started as an apprentice at the AFRC in 2014 through the University of Strathclyde’s modern apprenticeship programme. Without prior knowledge or experience of the manufacturing industry, she has learnt on the job to secure a fulltime role at the centre. After completing her apprenticeship Jayne moved on to successfully complete a degree in computer-aided manufacturing engineering and is now undertaking a post-graduate degree in advanced manufacturing: technology and systems all while still working full time at the centre. Meanwhile Joshua Walker studied mechanical engineering at college and after attending an open day at the AFRC in 2014, decided to apply for an entry role and successfully joined the centre’s metrology team where he learnt all about engineering measurement before moving across to the world-renowned residual stress team and now the centre’s lead technician in this highly specialised area of materials science.

Jim Gillespie, chief executive of Kibble, said:

“Creating real-life tangible opportunities for our young people is an important part of our role as we prepare them for their future. We are excited about the prospects this new partnership with the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland brings, as we collaborate locally and encourage young people to think about their future career paths and the opportunities available to them working within STEM.”

Jim Hannigan, head of skills capability at the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland’s Manufacturing Skills Academy, said:

“Through our Manufacturing Skills Academy, our aim is to transform the manufacturing workforce of today and tomorrow, creating opportunities for people to have flourishing careers.
“It is incredibly important that we support local young people and educate them about the various routes into the sector, supporting them along the way and providing the chance to experience what a career in manufacturing could look like.”

Posted: April 26, 2021

In her blog, Dr Helen Bratton, Consultant Clinical Psychologist from the Interventions for Vulnerable Youth (IVY) service explains how we support young people, their families and those who work with them using a comprehensive, trauma-informed and holistic approach.

I’m Dr Helen Bratton, Consultant Clinical Psychologist with the Interventions for Vulnerable Youth Project (IVY). I took up post with IVY in August 2020 following a period of working with adults and young offenders in prisons. Through my experience of working with multi-disciplinary teams and complex cases involving risk of violence and psychological distress, I found many cases could benefit from a comprehensive holistic assessment. Staff needed space to reflect on their experience with complex young people and to have the information pulled together, analysed and presented back in a format which would give a shared understanding and a way forward. There were no services in a position to offer this type of input within the establishments where I worked, which is why I was attracted to working with IVY.

IVY is a nationwide service offering multi-disciplinary guidance and support to people who work with complex young people aged between 12-18 who present with high risk behaviours and psychological distress. IVY is funded by the Scottish Government, hosted by Kibble and sits out with statutory bodies such as the NHS or Social Work. As such we are afforded an opportunity to provide innovative and flexible approaches to helping young people, their families and those who work with them. IVY has a team of highly skilled psychologists and social workers with extensive expertise in working with young people who present with high risk challenging behaviours. IVY is a free to access service which provides three tiers of input including consultation, structured professional judgement risk assessment and direct psychological interventions.

Consultations provide a space for staff to reflect and discuss their cases with guidance from IVY psychologists and social workers. We aim to develop a shared, psychologically informed understanding of the challenges within each young person’s experiences as well as the risk to themselves and others. Our approach is trauma-informed and integrative, taking into consideration the young person and the systems surrounding them. IVY is able to undertake comprehensive risk assessment and formulation for high risk cases to inform risk management for the responsible organisation. In a small number of cases IVY will undertake direct psychological interventions with young people or the staff groups who work with them. Ultimately, IVY aims to offer a service to promote a psychologically informed understanding of a young person’s difficulties to improve the outcomes for the child, and to enhance and encourage understanding from a trauma-informed approach of the adversities faced by vulnerable young people.

Posted: February 22, 2021

Our nurturing children’s residential houses for little ones aged five-12 are warm, welcoming and filled with love. Meet Manager, Natalie who has a valuable role in helping children feel settled in their new home. She shares an insight into the support children receive while being part of Kibble’s residential service.

Settle In

Natalie’s role involves spending time with children as young as five and up to 12 years old, who may have experienced trauma or adversity. She helps them settle into Arran Villa or Forest View, which are beautiful homes designed to be therapeutic with nature-inspired interiors, natural lights and tactile furnishings intended to maintain a calm, uplifting environment for the children.

Everything We Do

At Kibble, our style of care is modelled on strong research into trauma-informed practice. Everything we do is intended to help the children we support, and their families, manage their past experiences and move forward. Each child has a dedicated psychologist, therapist and social worker who work closely together with the young person and their family to create an environment and care plan, which helps to keep them safe, connecting with those who can provide the resources required to help them cope and move forward.

The Kids Get Decorating

Natalie shares there has been a lot of excitement recently as each child has been given the chance to choose a theme for their own bedrooms as we redesign and build the houses. We have encouraged the children to use their imagination and pick a theme that speaks to them, while being guided by our interior designer on colour schemes, which have been identified within trauma-informed principles.

Children will have the opportunity to design a personal space where they can relax. This may be the first time many of the children at Arran Villa and Forest View have been given a safe and nurturing space, never mind the choice to decorate and make their room their own.

The benefits of this refurb and build are endless to those we support. The space will be suited to the exact needs of the children we care for while creating calming influences which support each young person.

Hear from Natalie

Natalie said: “It has been fantastic seeing the kids take to their new space so well. One of the younger children in Arran Villa recently redecorated her room using drawings of unicorns and colourful sticky notes with positive messages written on them.

At Kibble we hope to mitigate any negative, traumatic life experiences a child may have had through early intervention. By working with the children and their families we hope to give them a chance at life which may have been unimaginable otherwise.”

“By involving children in the decisions about their own life, confidence and self-worth can be learned, or regained, as they recover some control over their own destiny.”
Natalie

Watch Our Video

Kibble’s Staff Team

At Kibble, we provide care, education and support to children and young people, many of whom have experienced trauma or adversity. This responsibility involves a huge staff team made up of exceptional individuals who are highly qualified, well-trained, and fully committed to playing a positive part in a child’s life. Each member of our team is friendly, fun, and thoughtful. Together, we are a constant source of love for the children who are part our residential care houses.

Learn More

Download Booklet

Visit the Forest View Webpage

To enquire about placements at Forest View, please contact Kibble on 0141 889 0044, or email referrals@kibble.org.