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Meet Kibble’s HR Manager, Karen, who strives to help create a supportive and welcoming workplace where the staff team feels listened to. Our values of Respect, Ambition and Belonging are carefully considered in Karen’s decision-making as she does her best to ensure the needs and wellbeing of employees are a priority. She knows that by supporting the workforce, Kibble can provide the best care for young people.

Karen has over 16 years’ experience in human resources and has continued to develop her career at Kibble. She now oversees the in-house team of HR professionals who support the organisation’s diverse staff team that involves a wide range of job roles across care, education, psychology, corporate services and more.

Job variety is one of the key benefits of starting a new job at Kibble. Due to the size and scale of Kibble and the fact our services help such a wide age range of 5 to 26-year-olds, each day is different. There are opportunities to change department, lead new services, and an internal Learning and Development team for you to gain further qualifications and complete specialised training. The diverse range of tasks enriches your work experience and keeps every day interesting. When you apply to work at Kibble, it is likely to be more than a new job; instead, you get a career with longevity and endless possibilities for career development.

The ambitious culture at Kibble exists because of careful planning. We make sure the driven workforce feels supported. Kibble’s overall way of working includes the component of a ‘Skilled and Supported Workforce’, which means all within the organisation understand employees are a priority, and as HR Manager, Karen ensures that processes exist for employees to be listened to. Those who work at Kibble and are dedicated to building a long-term, rewarding career must have the support necessary to accomplish their responsibilities to the best of their ability. Karen works closely with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to design a suitable staff benefits package that ensures employees are looked after in terms of their own health, wellbeing and personal development.

HR Manager, Karen confirms employees must feel valued and have a good work-life balance to be fuelled with enthusiasm and energy at work: “We want our staff team to bring a positive attitude and focus to work. We want everyone to feel valued and ready to contribute in making sure Kibble delivers the best care possible to young people.”

Karen goes above and beyond to advocate that the workplace be reflective of what the staff need. She was instrumental in introducing Kibble’s new policy detailing information about handling menopause at work. In her unwavering commitment to add to the positive culture at Kibble, she plays a huge part in the wider wellbeing group.

Karen describes her motivation for helping to ensure Kibble is an employer that continually strives to raise standards: “I want people to enjoy coming to work, feeling motivated to do their very best. At Kibble, we will always do what we can to make staff team feel supported.”

Kibble puts a great amount of effort into being a good employer and has been recognised and accredited for paving the way for employees to develop professionally and personally. The Herald Top Employer Awards announced Kibble as the Scottish Employer of the Year and Medium Employer of the Year. S1 Jobs Recruitment Awards named Kibble as Scotland’s Best Charity Employer too.

Kibble is also proud to have been awarded ‘Gold’ Status for Investing in People and Investing in Young People. Investors in People (IIP) is a prestigious accreditation presented to outstanding organisations who empower their workforce and have formally recognised Kibble as an organisation who prioritise their staff team.

HR Manager, Karen is one of the voices advocating for Kibble’s workforce. Whether you work at Kibble and spend time directly with young people or are in a supportive role within our corporate services, we’re all working towards helping young people. By supporting the staff team, employees have the resources to make a difference and the young people who need us are the ones who have the most to benefit.

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Learn more about the jobs at Kibble and find out if you’re qualified to work with us in one of our current vacancies or discover how you can change careers through our apprenticeship and trainee programmes.

At every opportunity, Lindsay puts 100% effort into making sure young people she cares for feel happy, safe and optimistic.

Child and Youth Care Worker, Lindsay works within one of our residential children’s houses in Glasgow, supporting teenagers as they learn to become more independent. Lindsay’s enthusiasm for celebrating seasons, occasions and happy moments has encouraged young people to become more open-minded in creating their own festive traditions.

At Christmas time, Lindsay and the close-knit staff team carefully consider young people’s thoughts and feelings about the demanding time of year. The entire team try to prevent young people from becoming overwhelmed with decorations, emotional strain, hectic plans and disrupted routines. Amongst the noise of Christmas, young people are very much listened to and decide how to have fun.

Lindsay, prides herself on enthusiastically celebrating each small to big achievement. She is nicknamed, Mrs Christmas and has four trees in her own home. Her positive attitude paired with respecting the feelings of others has encouraged the teenagers to start their own traditions. By showing empathy, Lindsay has helped young people understand they can get involved with the merriment at their own pace and comfort level.

Lindsay is proud of young people for decorating the house together.

The excitement and dedication to creating happy moments has inspired young people to put up a Christmas tree in the living room and outdoor twinkling lights. Young people also decided on trips to the cinema, Irn-Bru Carnival and Glasgow Christmas Market. Memories have been made in the house with young people and adults spending time altogether.

Lindsay and young people put up a tree.

Outdoor lights make the house look festive.

Lindsay shares a further insight into the day-to-day life and how Christmas fits in: “My week usually involves motivating young people to achieve their goals. It can be to attend college, explore education options and learn to budget. Overall, help young people develop independence and capable of one day living themselves in their own house. Most of all, we try to have lots of fun. We cook new things to try, watch TV, play boardgames, there’s always music on and sometimes, there’s dancing around the living room. The house is lived in with plenty of laughter, Scottish sarcasm and humour.”

“On Christmas Day, there’s the option of a turkey dinner with all the trimmings and for those who prefer something different for dinner, we might splash out on a takeaway.”

“Over Christmas and New Year, we’re getting into cooking and baking and plan to make a homemade fabulous Ferrero Rocher cheesecake. Hopefully, young people are up for joining in with karaoke.”

As a Child and Youth Care Worker at Kibble, there is an understanding the job role is a career, which involves being on-hand at all times of the year: “Working in any care environment can involve working through the holidays. We have a great team who work together and create a plan for young people to have consistency and for adults to enjoy time at home too. Each one of us understands the importance of giving our young people a special day in a fun and loving environment.”

Lindsay would describe Christmas at Kibble as being special: “Christmas allows us all to bring out our inner child. There’s a thrill in the small things like decorating the tree, treating the kids to a little more than usual and planning day trips. The houses in our cul-de-sac always go to a great effort to decorate making it lovely to drive in at night. In the day time, we receive visits from our woodland friends including squirrels and deer. Just a few weeks ago, we took lovely photos of the animals in the snow. It’s such a cosy and peaceful place to be.”

Lindsay knew she wanted to make a difference to the lives of young people and particularly wanted to build a career at Kibble: “My decision to move to Kibble was to have a positive impact on the life of others. I wanted to help young people to achieve the education and life skills necessary for a positive future in adulthood. I researched Kibble and found the organisation had a range of support services for their young people and also invested in their employees too. Kibble help the staff team expand their knowledge, which allows us to strengthen our ability to do our job well and be the best we can be for the kids.”

“The training and development opportunities were a huge factor for me as I love to learn and push myself to excel. One thing many don’t know is that I applied to Kibble twice before I got the job. I was eager and knew I’d get there. The first time I applied, I didn’t reach the interview stage. I decided to not let it get me down and instead, gain a similar job role in care to increase my experience and build on my knowledge. Next time Kibble were recruiting, I was prepared and got the job! It all worked out in the end.”

Her focus has always been to bond with young people: “I find fulfilment in building relationships with young people across our houses. Each have unique personalities: some are natural born comedians; some are creative; and some are wonderfully gifted with other impressive talents.”

All throughout the year, Lindsay and her colleagues bring magic to the lives of young people by making sure the house is fun, safe and peaceful and somewhere, they can be themselves.

Join Lindsay