About Child and Youth Care Worker, Michelle

Mum-of-two, Michelle previously worked as a property administrator for West Dunbartonshire Council while volunteering with young people in her spare time. She decided to change her career and follow her dream of helping others by applying to 91¶¶Òõ’s Staff-in-Training programme.

Over the course of 12 months, Michelle studied for a HNC in Social Services and carried out in-depth work experience before qualifying as a full-time Child and Youth Care Worker. Michelle hopes her experience will inspire others similar to her to apply and work for 91¶¶Òõ in a rewarding role.

Michelle’s Words of Encouragement

“I was nervous about applying initially, as I have two children and I wasn’t sure how the change in pace would affect them.

“However, the staff at 91¶¶Òõ have been hugely supportive throughout the entire process and I found the work-life balance was easily achievable, particularly as we were offered a study day through the week.

“I would say the role is a fantastic opportunity for parents, particularly as we have so much to offer. I already have that nurturing side to me and I think that resonates with young people.

“I’m so proud to have achieved my HNC with 91¶¶Òõ’s support, it’s given me a real boost in confidence when I would never have believed I had the time or experience.”

Every day I learn more and more from both young people and my colleagues, but 91¶¶Òõ places a huge amount of emphasis on personal development.

“I’m excited to make the most of this and absorb all the information I can to become the best I can be.

Michelle’s story was covered in the .

Become a Child and Youth Care Worker

Find out more about how you can begin a new rewarding career with 91¶¶Òõ.

About The Team

Based on our Paisley campus, the team of 6 helps support every part of the 91¶¶Òõ group so that no matter what happens, our services have the resources to provide care, education, and support for our young people.

Every part of the organisation relies on the work of the Finance Team with invoices, payments, monitoring and auditing. This gargantuan task helps 91¶¶Òõ meet our obligations under charity and company law.

Whilst not a front-facing service our young people still have plenty of interactions with the team, and their door is always open. When a young person is fundraising with a raffle, tuck shop or Christmas fayre tickets, their first stop is the Finance Department.

How We Support The Local Community

The work of the Finance Team reaches beyond the front door of 91¶¶Òõ. As a charity with strong roots in Paisley, we want to ensure that as much of our spending is reinvested into the local community. This helps support suppliers and employment with our Finance Team essential in identifying new ways to support other local suppliers and businesses.

No matter what the challenge is, the team is ready to help keep 91¶¶Òõ running and to support our suppliers. For example, during the response to COVID19, the Finance Team set new targets to identify and support local businesses by ensuring prompt payment of any invoices, something our suppliers have appreciated.

The 91¶¶Òõ Family

Being part of the 91¶¶Òõ family gives a real sense of satisfaction knowing that you are helping give young people the best chance at life.

The Finance Team is integral to helping support the services that make a difference in improving the lives of young people.

Why Volunteer?

People can be motivated to volunteer for a range of reasons. Often, those who want to volunteer at 91¶¶Òõ are taking the first step in changing their career or are interested in giving something back to their local community.

Meet 91¶¶Òõ volunteer Gordon – semi-retired with newfound spare time, he began to reflect on his life. He paid particular attention to his childhood and growing up in Govan. Although there was not much money in the family house, there was plenty of love. The reassurance of constant support, along with the fortunate opportunity of progressing to higher education, lead him to build a successful business. The memory inspired him to think about how he could help change the life of a young person who needed encouragement.

Gordon decided to donate his time to a rewarding, important cause and was keen to find a way to support young people and inspire them to look forward to the future. He reached out to 91¶¶Òõ for volunteering opportunities and has since passed our application process.

Whilst I do not underestimate how difficult this role may be at times, if at the end of a year I can look back and know that I have helped even only one person in any way, this would be reward in itself.

91¶¶Òõ Volunteer Gordon

What Does Volunteering at 91¶¶Òõ Involve?

91¶¶Òõ offer care and support to young people aged five – 26 who may have experienced trauma. We provide residential and community support as well as dedicated schools and wellbeing services. Children and young people are offered a loving, safe place that will give them a chance at life.

Volunteers at 91¶¶Òõ will spend time with the young people from playing indoor games, going outside for sports activities, or enjoying day trips to the local beach, playpark or outdoor adventures. The fun can involve taking young people to their clubs or arranging activities from baking to video games.

91¶¶Òõ Volunteer Allena wasn’t sure what to expect when she started volunteering with the organisation.

The friendly staff welcomed me immediately and instantly made me feel part of the team.

91¶¶Òõ Volunteer Allena

At first, Allena was to interact with a wider group of young people. Playing cards and board games in a group setting, Allena and the young people had the chance to get to know one another. This was rather than singling out an individual young person immediately, overwhelming them with attention.

Within the group there was a young person who had struggled to communicate with unfamiliar faces previously. However, it was not long at all before this young person was enjoying spending time with Allena.

Allena has now formed a great, trusting relationship with the young person. They participated in the 91¶¶Òõ Bake-Off Challenge together and impressively won first prize.

Allena has expressed her delight in her decision to volunteer at 91¶¶Òõ:

I have watched the young person become more confident as the weeks have gone on and it really has been amazing to see. Volunteering for me has been extremely rewarding. It’s great to know I have played a small part in the young person’s positive development.

91¶¶Òõ Volunteer Allena

Can I Volunteer at 91¶¶Òõ?

To volunteer at 91¶¶Òõ, we ask for you to be kind, caring and enjoy spending time with young people. As an enthusiastic, fun-loving person, you will encourage young people to join in with activities and help them find hobbies and interests.

It is hoped volunteers will commit to 91¶¶Òõ for at least six months to create meaningful bonds with young people.

Find out more about our application process by emailing your interest to: hr@kibble.org

About Our Fostering Services

Established in 2004, our Intensive Fostering Services (IFS) were set up to provide foster placements for children and young people aged five and above. We support children and young people with complex needs, often expressed through challenging behaviours.

For the past 16 years IFS has continued to grow and we now have 18 team members supporting young people and foster carers.

Full Co-operation Across 91¶¶Òõ

By being an integral part of 91¶¶Òõ, IFS can offer young people direct access to our other services if needed. This fully integrated way of working helps build positive futures for young people with complex social, emotional and educational needs.

The IFS team works closely with all services at 91¶¶Òõ meaning young people who are in foster care, as well as foster carers, have the same opportunities and support networks as those in a residential care setting.

Exciting Developments for Our Fostering Services

The year 2021 will see significant progress as we look to expand our offering to other parts of central Scotland. Our new offices in Paisley and Hamilton will allow us to deliver our specialist model of foster care in an increased number of locations, helping even more young people.

A Day in The Life of a Foster Family Placement Supervisor

Nicole Potter, Foster Family Placement Supervisor, described some of the responsibilities the small, friendly team have:

Every day is completely different – whether it is supporting a foster carer or going out on an activity with a young person. We want to give young people the love and care that prepares them for the next stage of their care journey and to be there to support the foster carers should they require it.

Nicole continues: “Many of our staff members start their day by visiting the office to collect whatever they need to provide outreach support to their young people. The support offered to young people is provided within their homes, schools, and communities.

At the end of the day staff will return to the office to provide an overview and complete various tasks to ensure their work is being effectively recorded, allowing for reflection”.

Discover photos from fun days out at the beach, fundraising for a good cause with the and a summer evening BBQ.

The Path to Success

The success of IFS and 91¶¶Òõ relies on our dedicated staff and exceptional carers. 91¶¶Òõ invests heavily in providing staff and carers with training opportunities and fully encourages innovation within its practice. The further development of IFS will be full of challenges, but will have the objective of helping 91¶¶Òõ achieve their longstanding mission of helping as many young people as possible get a chance at life.

#91¶¶ÒõInspires

Throughout our 160-year history, 91¶¶Òõ has put the needs of young people first by providing integrated and innovative services. Our dedicated staff, whatever role they have within the 91¶¶Òõ family, are essential to making this happen. We are all frontline workers, determined every day to improve the lives of young people.

The #91¶¶ÒõInspires series looks at some of the services that make up the 91¶¶Òõ family and highlights the roles that they play in ensuring that we can provide the best care and education for young people across Scotland.

The #91¶¶ÒõInspires series looks at some of the services that make up the 91¶¶Òõ family, and highlights the roles that they play in ensuring that we can provide the best care and education for young people across Scotland.

91¶¶Òõ’s ICT Team

Whether at work or home, technology has changed the way we live our lives. We have come to rely on it for much of what we do, and 91¶¶Òõ is no different.

So how does an organisation like 91¶¶Òõ, with hundreds of young people and staff, use ICT to provide sector-leading care and education?

ICT is critical to much of what 91¶¶Òõ does. As part of our culture of innovation, we have recognised and embraced digital technology from the dawn of the internet age. This means that whether it is for staff tools, educational purposes, communications for young people, or business continuity, the team is ready for anything.

A hugely important part of the job is being approachable. The expert team of six are familiar faces across 91¶¶Òõ’s multiple locations, and if a staff member or young person is unsure about something technical, they can speak to the team and get a fast resolution.

Just as important as the front-facing work with young people and staff is the huge amount that goes on in the background. From installing and maintaining core infrastructure, networks, servers, and backups, there’s a huge amount required to keep 91¶¶Òõ operating and providing the care and education that our young people rely on.

With over 80 years’ worth of expertise in their field, you might think there is nothing new for the team to tackle. But in a world where technology changes daily, a big emphasis is put on continuous professional development ensuring that 91¶¶Òõ can meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.

There is no such thing as a typical day. Recently, with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, our ICT team helped put their skills into facilitating our organisational response.

This new way of life for 91¶¶Òõ has included increasing the number of people working remotely, therefore the team stepped up to provide remote and secure access to support home working. In addition, to ensure young people stayed connected with friends and family, where face-to-face visits were restricted, the ICT team ensured that the technology was in place to retain these important connections. Perhaps one of the most momentous moments of achievement in the last few months has been stretching our purpose-built Wi-Fi to broadcast a virtual fashion show exhibiting the work of our young people.

There is no doubt that ICT is an important part of the 91¶¶Òõ family. Our ability as an organisation to make a difference in the lives of young people relies on new and innovative technology. Combined with the other services we provide, we can give young people a chance they deserve in life.

What did you do before 91¶¶Òõ?

Before joining 91¶¶Òõ as a Trainee Child and Youth Care Worker, I was at university studying Criminology while working part-time in retail.

How long have you worked at 91¶¶Òõ?

I have worked at 91¶¶Òõ for over two years now. I started on the Trainee Programme before successfully applying to become a permanent annualised member of staff.

What made you want to work for 91¶¶Òõ?

Truthfully, I did not know a lot about 91¶¶Òõ before I applied, but one of my friends had worked here previously. When she told me about the opportunities 91¶¶Òõ provide to children and young people, I immediately decided I wanted to be part of the organisation.

Applying to the Trainee Programme seemed like a good opportunity to gain experience while being supported within the new role.

Can you give us an overview of your role at 91¶¶Òõ? What area do you work in?

I work in the Safe Centre within Islay House. The Safe Centre provides a safe, secure environment for young people at a point of crisis who require an intensive level of care, education and support to help them through a challenging time. The young people here need support, guidance and consistent care.

At the Safe Centre, the safety and wellbeing of the young people is our number one priority. We provide routine and structure each day, while bringing fun and laughter.

What is the best thing about working at 91¶¶Òõ? Tell us one thing you love about your job?

I love working at 91¶¶Òõ due to the close bonds I have made between the young people and my colleagues. We all rely on each other and the relationships that are formed are something I really admire.

Can you share a defining moment or story about your time at 91¶¶Òõ?

Personally, a highlight for me is seeing the young people progress to a point where they move on from the Safe Centre. It is great to be a part of that process and very rewarding to see the amazing things the young people go on to achieve.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of joining 91¶¶Òõ?

Apply! You will not regret it. The trainee programme is a great opportunity to learn and develop new skills, while being supported in your new role.

Please complete the following statement using one word – “91¶¶Òõ Inspires…â€�

#91¶¶ÒõInspires opportunities.

Apply now to 91¶¶Òõ’s Child and Youth Care Worker Trainee Programme. Don’t miss out, closing date Monday 19th October 2020 at 12 noon.

What did you do before 91¶¶Òõ?

Before 91¶¶Òõ I worked full-time as a florist.

How long have you worked at 91¶¶Òõ?

I have worked at 91¶¶Òõ for over a year now. Initially, I began volunteering at 91¶¶Òõ 18 months ago then heard about their Child and Youth Care Worker Trainee Programme. I applied immediately and started working here full-time upon completion.

What made you want to work for 91¶¶Òõ?

I wanted to work with young people and be part of something special. 91¶¶Òõ provides unique opportunities for young people.

Can you give us an overview of your role at 91¶¶Òõ and what area you work in?

I work within a residential care house at 91¶¶Òõ which accommodates six young females. We get to know the girls and ensure they feel safe and respected. It is so important to build meaningful bonds with each of the girls and make fun childhood memories with them.

What is the best thing about working at 91¶¶Òõ? Tell us one thing you love about your job?

The best thing about working at 91¶¶Òõ is being around the staff and young people. I have seen positive relationships develop within the service I work in and it’s a really lovely thing to see and be part of.

Can you share a defining moment or story about your time at 91¶¶Òõ?

After the initial government lockdown period ended in March as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, we took two of our young people to the beach. It was a great day and the young people were so happy and in great spirits. We all got along great! Even when we returned to the house, the atmosphere was bright with lots of laughs and smiles. One of the young girls kept mentioning how much she had enjoyed her day out.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of joining 91¶¶Òõ?

Do it, keep an open mind and remember we are here to make a difference.

Please complete the following statement using one word – “91¶¶Òõ Inspires…â€�

#91¶¶ÒõInspires Love

Apply now to 91¶¶Òõ’s Child and Youth Care Worker Trainee Programme. Upon completion, you will be guaranteed a job interview with 91¶¶Òõ. Closing date: Monday 19th October 2020 at 12 noon.

What did you do before 91¶¶Òõ?

Previously I was a professional footballer for Greenock Morton FC and I have also worked as a lifeguard.

How long have you worked at 91¶¶Òõ?

I have worked at 91¶¶Òõ for a year. Initially I joined as a Trainee Child and Youth Care Worker and was then successful in applying for a permanent annualised contract.

What made you want to work for 91¶¶Òõ?

I was keen to change my career and had always been drawn to the care sector. The opportunity of 91¶¶Òõ’s trainee programme was too good to miss. It gave me the chance to work and learn on the job while having the guidance of a dedicated mentor to provide help and support.

Can you give us an overview of your role at 91¶¶Òõ and what area you work in?

Upon completing 91¶¶Òõ’s Child and Youth Care Worker Trainee Programme, I became an annualised Child and Youth Care Worker within our Safe Centre. This supports young people at a time of crisis, providing consistent care, education and support to help them move forward.

Within my role I work alongside a specific young person and provide a range of support to ensure they get the highest level of care. The safety of the young people is paramount in the day-to-day running of the Centre. I help to ensure that young people feel safe and supported, that the environment is nurturing, and to give them the confidence to accomplish anything they want in life!

What is the best thing about working at 91¶¶Òõ? Tell us one thing you love about your job?

Every day is different. The young people have amazing personalities which create an atmosphere that you want to work in.

Can you share a defining moment or story about your time at 91¶¶Òõ?

I was able to bond with a young person I cared for over a common interest in football. As a result, I encouraged him to attend football training. The young person did extremely well that the club asked him to continue training and eventually play with the team. His skills progressed and his overall confidence grew as a result.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of joining 91¶¶Òõ?

Go for it, it is a life changing decision. A career with 91¶¶Òõ is an amazing opportunity to meet fantastic young people and staff.  The trainee programme is an unbelievable opportunity to develop new skills. Although I have only been here a year, I have learned so much.

Please complete the following statement using one word – “91¶¶Òõ Inspires…â€�

#91¶¶ÒõInspires Growth

Apply now to 91¶¶Òõ’s Child and Youth Care Worker Trainee Programme. Don’t miss out, closing date Monday 19th October 2020 at 12 noon.

What did you do before 91¶¶Òõ?

Before 91¶¶Òõ, I worked as an outreach arts tutor, where I travelled round Glasgow teaching art at various charities and community groups. I studied Textile Design at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design and subsequently worked as a textile designer.

A job advert recruiting for a social enterprise coordinator at 91¶¶Òõ stood out to me and I was confident I had the skills to do the job well. I was keen to work with young people who were in care and share my skills.

How long have you worked at 91¶¶Òõ?

I have worked at 91¶¶Òõ for 14 years, from running a Social Enterprise, specialising in printing t-shirts to making the move to 91¶¶Òõ’s secondary school teaching art.

What made you want to work for 91¶¶Òõ?

I wanted a job that challenged me and would be different every day. I wanted to help young people see the good in themselves and see their capabilities. I wanted a job that would support me in attaining further qualifications.

Please give an overview of your role at 91¶¶Òõ?

I work in 91¶¶Òõ’s education department. Part of the week I enjoy classroom teaching, where I deliver qualifications in Art and Design and Fashion and Textile Technology. The remainder of the week I work in my Arts Development role, where I am responsible for managing our various arts projects.

Sometimes you’ll find me hosting a student steer group, sometimes I’ll be writing a funding bid, sometimes I’ll be spray-painting some old clothes, every day is different. But every day certainly involves laughter!

Our arts projects are so enjoyable and give everyone involved memorable and meaningful experiences. Standout moments have been taking part in the Paisley Halloween Parade, which was brilliant fun and throwing a virtual 91¶¶Òõ fashion show.

Tell us the best thing about working at 91¶¶Òõ?

The best thing about working for 91¶¶Òõ is the relationships.

I sincerely love the positive relationships I have made with both the young people and my fellow colleagues.

Young people are such an inspiration to me, they keep me learning and thinking differently to ensure I can engage, inspire and empower them in a way that will prepare them for their future.  Seeing a young person have pride and achievement in themselves through their artwork is incredible and it’s what I strive to do.

I am blessed to be given autonomy in my role and have good leaders who support my (sometimes whacky) ideas!

What did you do before 91¶¶Òõ?

Before joining 91¶¶Òõ, I was a manager at another similar charity. My daily tasks involved scheduling rotas and finalising pay slips. However, the managerial role reduced the time I spent with the young people. The experience helped me realise I prefer being with the young people and building strong relationships with them. I was keen to work at 91¶¶Òõ because of the pioneering services they offer.

How long have you worked at 91¶¶Òõ?

Almost two years.

What made you want to work for 91¶¶Òõ?

I knew of 91¶¶Òõ when it was only for young boys. 91¶¶Òõ had a great reputation in the sector, and I had always wanted to apply so when the right opportunity came up, I did!

As soon as I started at 91¶¶Òõ, I felt welcome. There was nothing I couldn’t ask. Everyone here was approachable, no matter what level they were at.

Can you give us an overview of your role at 91¶¶Òõ and what area you work in? Please explain about the service?

I am a Child and Youth Care Worker at 91¶¶Òõ and I work in the Safe Centre, which involves supervising young people 24/7. In the Safe Centre, we follow set daily routines to provide young people with a safe, secure environment and a reliable routine.

My role involves regular report writing and encouraging young people to attend meetings, making sure their voices are heard in discussions about their care. I keep up to date with training and provide daily support to the young people.

What is the best thing about working in 91¶¶Òõ? Tell us one thing you love about your job?

Teamwork is what makes 91¶¶Òõ a great place to work. There is a sense of camaraderie between the team here. We work together to be the best support system we can be for the young people.

I enjoy coming to work because of the personal relationships I have formed between my colleagues and the young people.

Can you share a defining moment or story about your time at 91¶¶Òõ?

I felt a sense of achievement being selected to work in one of the new care houses. It was important to have familiar, experienced staff in the new environment to help the young people settle in their new home.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of joining 91¶¶Òõ?

Throw your hat into the mix and seize the opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge. Absorb all the information the experience will bring and be open to new ways of learning.

Be yourself and you will make great friendships along the way.

Please complete the following statement using one word – “91¶¶Òõ Inspires…â€�

#91¶¶ÒõInspires you to be the best you can be, for your fellow colleagues and the young people.

Find out about our latest vacancies or volunteer opportunities now.