Kibble

Kibble is a leading specialist child and youth care charity and social enterprise. We empower young people through care, education and support.

[Kibble @KibbleGroup]

Early Bird Tickets are here for Kibble’s Annual Conference 2026. For a limited time only, you can book at last year’s prices. Don’t miss out: https://t.co/C9NzhIfQ7D

From powerful young voices to sector-leading speakers, this is where change happens.

Explore Mental Health in Mind and support every young person’s unique journey, recognising the impact of care experience, trauma and neurodiversity.

📅 Date: Tuesday 3rd November 2026
📍Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow
↗️ Book online: https://t.co/C9NzhIfQ7D

[Kibble @KibbleGroup]

“The person who has the biggest impact on a child’s life could be the football coach or the school teacher, and they probably won’t even know they are that person. They are the people who see something in the child that no-one else sees.” KibbleConf2026

[Kibble @KibbleGroup]

At Venture Trust’s workshop, delegates are visiting six tables to chat with therapists who use nature-based approaches to support mental health. They’re discovering the different methods being used to promote wellbeing and support people outdoors. KibbleConf2026

[Kibble @KibbleGroup]

Venture Trust is leading “Taking Therapy Outdoors: Nature-Based Practice for Trauma, Connection and Wellbeing”.

The team is sharing how purposeful outdoor experiences - including walking, hiking, canoeing and camping - can offer much more than time away. They can create space for connection, reflection and therapeutic support.

By combining nature with skilled support, Venture Trust helps people facing trauma and adversity build stability, belonging and hope as they move towards a more positive future. #KibbleConf2026

[Kibble @KibbleGroup]

We’re delighted to welcome Rob Holland, National Director for Scotland and Wales at the National Autistic Society, for his keynote, “Reframing Autism in a Hostile World”.

Rob explores how misinformation can undermine autistic people and the support they need, highlighting how empathy, challenging misconceptions and listening can help create a more inclusive world.

#KibbleConf2026

[Kibble @KibbleGroup]

Steven Russell, Dual Perspective Leader, author and creator of The Ripple Effect, is leading “Spoken Records, Not Broken Records”.

The workshop asks us to remember that what we write today may be read by a care-experienced person many years from now. Records should explain decisions with compassion, carry the young person’s voice and be written to them and for them - not simply about them.

From photographs and voice notes to letters, drawings and meaningful keepsakes, Steven is encouraging delegates to build memories, not just files. Every child deserves to have their story recorded in a way that says: you were here, you mattered and we saw you. #KibbleConf2026

[Kibble @KibbleGroup]

Professor Clare Allely, Professor of Forensic Psychology at the University of Salford, is exploring autism within the criminal justice system.

Her keynote highlights that autism does not cause offending, and that differences in communication, memory and processing can be misunderstood in justice settings.

Autism-informed training, early identification and reasonable adjustments are essential to ensure autistic people can participate fairly in the justice system.

#KibbleConf2026

[Kibble @KibbleGroup]

Education Scotland’s Senior Education Officer for Curriculum Design, Leigh Watson, is leading “UNCRC Article 12: A Lever for Curriculum Decisions”.

The workshop explores how children and young people’s right to be heard can shape curriculum design - ensuring learners are asked for their views, supported to express them and taken seriously when decisions affect them.

Delegates are stepping into a learner’s shoes and considering what a curriculum that meets every learner’s needs could look and feel like. A powerful reminder that meaningful curriculum innovation starts by listening. #CurriculumInnovation #KibbleConf2026

[Kibble @KibbleGroup]

NurtureUK’s Arti Sharma and Wendy Roden are leading Ready to Learn, exploring how a whole-school nurturing approach can help every child thrive.

The key message? Behaviour is communication. By understanding what sits behind a child’s behaviour, we can build trust, safety and belonging.

Delegates are leaving with a nurture promise - one thing they’ll do differently tomorrow.

#NurtureUK #KibbleConf2026

[Kibble @KibbleGroup]

Rob Holland from the National Autistic Society Scotland and Kibble Service Manager Kevin Sweeney are sharing “Autism Accreditation in Action”.

The workshop explores Kibble’s accreditation journey and how self-audit, external assessment and reflection have strengthened autism-informed practice. At the heart of the approach is unconditional care, love and support - helping every young person feel safe, valued and that they belong.

Kibble’s Intensive Service achieved Advanced status, the highest level of the NAS Autism Specialist Award. The team is now using what it learned to support continued improvement, share good practice and champion the young people in its care. #KibbleConf2026

[Kibble @KibbleGroup]

In his workshop, speaker Steven Russell is inviting delegates to answer the question “What does home mean to you?”

Some powerful words captured in the session. For Steven, home wasn’t about where he lived, due to multiple foster homes throughout his childhood, but it was about who lived there and who felt safe. #KibbleConf2026

[Kibble @KibbleGroup]

Steven Russell, Mixed Faces in Mixed Places
Steven Russell, Dual Perspective leader, author and creator of The Ripple Effect, is leading “Mixed Faces in Mixed Places” - a workshop exploring how young people can find connection in a disconnected world.

Drawing on the realities of navigating the care system, Steven is inviting delegates to consider what it feels like to move between homes, schools, routines and relationships - and the difference that understanding, consistency and connection can make.

A thought-provoking session about seeing beyond behaviour and creating spaces where young people feel understood, supported and able to belong. #MixedFaces #MixedPlaces #KibbleConf2026

[Kibble @KibbleGroup]

“The relationships I had and the people who believed in me helped me re-write the stories I had been told.

When I look at these photographs I see the same person, but so much has changed. But I don’t see the qualification, or the career in law, but the people in my life who made a difference. Not through grand gestures, but through small everyday moments” #KibbleConf2026

[Kibble @KibbleGroup]

“When you read the ongoing narrative that newspapers, the internet and school league tables tell us about your community, you start to absorb the messages and this makes you believe your future has already been decided”.

“How can this be true when everyone you love is from here?”

Powerful words by keynote speaker Ryan McCuaig at #KibbleConf2026

[Kibble @KibbleGroup]

Joining us via video today is Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, Siobhian Brown who is explaining @scotgov commitment to supporting children, young people and families.

This includes funding to strengthen neurodevelopmental support, and the positive changes happening in the area of #youthjustice in line with the Children’s Care and Justice Act.

#KibbleConf2026

[Kibble @KibbleGroup]

🎨 We’re delighted to welcome Kibble’s Principal Teacher Sarah Speight to the stage to celebrate how young people are exploring their creativity through expressive arts.

Sarah is sharing a showreel capturing young people’s dance journey with Scottish Ballet’s The Close Project, alongside music videos showcasing our talented young musicians.

It’s a chance for young people to express how they feel, build confidence, make friends and feel they belong.#KibbleConf2026.

[Kibble @KibbleGroup]

“Many professionals knew my history, my experiences, but they did not know what made me smile.” Powerful words by Aspen at #KibbleConf2026

[Kibble @KibbleGroup]

We have the privilege of hearing from Aspen, a young person sharing their own experiences and inviting delegates to see the person behind the label.

Aspen is encouraging us to look beyond a young person’s diagnosis, behaviour or past and get to know their interests, strengths and hopes for the future.

Their message to professionals is simple: ask before assuming, take time to build trust and see the young person, not just their problems. A huge thank you to Aspen for sharing their voice so openly and offering valuable insight into how we can continue to improve services for children and young people. #KibbleConf2026.

[Kibble @KibbleGroup]

We’ve welcomed Kibble’s CEO, Mark Macmillan to the floor to welcome guests and set the scene for the day’s events. Mark is inviting everyone in the room to take time to make new connections, challenge assumptions and above all take learnings back to their role to make a difference to the children, young people and families we support. #KibbleConf2026

[Kibble @KibbleGroup]

Kibble’s Annual Conference 2026 is now underway, with @NicolaKillean, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, opening the proceedings.

Today’s conference, Mental Health in Mind, brings together professionals from across the sector to explore mental health and wellbeing and consider how we can continue to improve outcomes for children and young people.

#KibbleConf2026 #MentalHealthInMind

[Kibble @KibbleGroup]

Halloween creativity took over Kibble this weekend! 🎃 Our young people and adults transformed houses with spooktacular themes before coming together for some frightfully fun Halloween karaoke.

🎬 A Fright at the Movies
���️ Caught in a Web of Fun
🚪 Enter If You Dare
🧪 Brewing Up Trouble

A Halloween to remember! 👻