By Taylor Murray

Copyright dailyrecord

A Kibble worker has told of the impact her role can have on young people in care — and how the profession can make a positive difference. Niamh Stobie is a child and youth care worker at Paisley-based charity Kibble and looks at the role as not only a career, but a lifestyle choice. The 29-year-old sees herself providing time and energy to better the lives of young people in care as a positive duty that will allow those within the care system to grow up and be successful. Every day, Niamh has first-hand experience of, and influence on, the positive impact consistent, caring adults can have on the lives of children and young people. It is a job Niamh has always wanted to do from a young age — with a passion for fairness and standing up for others shining through in her character. She told the Paisley Daily Express: “My stepdad said to me recently, ‘I can still remember you standing in front of me as a little girl, saying you just wanted to help people’. “That’s always stayed with me. I’ve always been passionate about people’s rights; that’s why this role feels right to me. “For me, this role is about being that steady person in a young person’s life — someone who shows up every day, listens and really believes in them. “The young people in our care deserve the absolute best, and at Kibble we make it our priority to provide that. “Many of the young people have lived through significant trauma, and it’s our responsibility to make sure they grow up feeling loved, safe, and respected. Growing up in care can be life-changing but it doesn’t have to be a negative experience.” Niamh, from Paisley, added: “With the right care, young people can discover their strengths, achieve amazing things, and have the kind of childhood every child deserves — one filled with support and opportunities. “I want them to look back on their time here and think, ‘they really believed in me’.” Before joining Kibble, Niamh, worked in a variety of roles that involved supporting people through trauma or vulnerable experiences — from adult mental health to children’s residential care and even in decompression programmes which teach soldiers returning from Afghanistan how to ride horses. At Kibble, those values now shape the daily lives of the young people she supports. She has taken the lead in embedding The Promise —Scotland’s pledge to ensure care-experienced young people grow up loved, respected, and safe — into everyday practice. Kibble is inviting other people across Renfrewshire to follow in Niamh’s footsteps. The charity is recruiting 20 new child and youth care workers through its Career Start training programme which offers on-the-job training, classroom study leading to an HNC in social services, and a guaranteed interview for a permanent role with a salary of over £31,000 per year. Mark Macmillan, director of corporate services at Kibble, said: “Our Career Start programme offers a clear and accessible pathway into a rewarding career for people who share our values. “We provide the training, education and support needed to help individuals succeed, regardless of their background or previous experience. “By investing in our workforce, we are ultimately investing in the young people we care for – ensuring they have the stability, compassion and guidance they need to thrive.” For further information on the Career Start programme or to apply to become a member of the next Kibble cohort, visit www.kibble.org/work-with-us/career-start-in-child-and-youth-care Visit www.jobtrain.co.uk/kibble/Job/JobDetail?JobId=717 for details on the application process. Don’t miss the latest Renfrewshire headlines – you can sign up to our free daily newsletter here