Kibble is Scotland’s specialist provider of services for at risk children and young people. Our care, education and specialist interventions help disadvantaged young people build themselves a brighter future.
A Scottish charity
Our nineteenth century philanthropic founder, Elizabeth Kibble, was heiress to a textile fortune and on her death in 1840, she left a portion of her wealth to establish a home for “youthful offenders”. Kibble has evolved for more than a century and a half from this point while always staying true to its original mission of supporting young people facing adversity. Kibble is one of Scotland’s oldest charities and seeks to honour Elizabeth Kibble’s legacy by continuing to support young people from the local area and across Scotland.
A social enterprise
In 1996, Kibble embarked on a phase of its development that would see it become one of the country’s leading social enterprises. The redefining of local authority boundaries meant a loss of financial support from the public sector and Kibble was faced with closing its doors or finding a radically different model of financial support. It opted to become a social enterprise, a business model in which any financial surplus is reinvested into the organisation and never distributed to owners, shareholders, investors or directors. Almost two decades later, Kibble continues as one of Scotland’s largest genuine social enterprises and values its role in promoting social enterprise as a sustainable and ethical business model.
Rating Reviews
Rating is calculated based on
7
reviews and is evolving.
Pros: I really value the work flexibility offered at Kibble. As a Houseparent, the shift patterns, though intensive, allow for significant time off in blocks, which is a major plus for personal life planning. The management team in this charity is generally understanding and supportive when you need to swap shifts or handle personal matters, which is a lifesaver. There's also a strong sense of teamwork among the residential child care staff, making even tough days manageable. You learn so much about
Cons: While work flexibility is a strong point, sometimes the approval process for major shift changes can feel a bit slow or bureaucratic, especially if it requires multiple managerial sign-offs. There are also periods when the workload can be quite intense, making it challenging to always utilize the available downtime effectively. Communication could sometimes be more proactive regarding internal policy updates or upcoming changes that impact the residential teams.
Advice to Management: Continue championing the flexible arrangements for Houseparents; they truly make the role sustainable. Streamlining the approval process for significant schedule adjustments would further enhance satisfaction and reduce burdens. More frequent, accessible communication channels for staff regarding
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Pros: I've really enjoyed the strong sense of camaraderie here. As a Software Engineer, I've had many opportunities to collaborate closely with talented colleagues on interesting projects, which has truly fostered a great learning environment. The leadership team generally promotes an inclusive atmosphere, and there's a genuine effort to celebrate successes and support each other. It's refreshing to work at a company where company culture isn't just a buzzword, but something actively lived by the
Cons: While the culture is largely positive, sometimes communication from upper management about strategic shifts could be more transparent. During peak development cycles, the workload can become pretty intense, which occasionally strains work-life balance, though it's usually manageable. Improving clarity on career progression paths within the engineering department would also be beneficial for long-term planning for employees.
Advice to Management: Continue to invest in communication strategies, especially regarding company direction and career progression frameworks. Also, consider mechanisms to better manage peak workloads to prevent burnout, ensuring the excellent company culture remains sustainable.
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Pros: The company culture at Kibble is genuinely supportive and compassionate. Everyone, from management to fellow Sessional Child and Youth Care Workers, is dedicated to the well-being of the young people we serve in Paisley, Scotland. There's a strong sense of teamwork, and I always felt valued and had resources available, which is crucial in the social care industry. The flexible hours associated with the sessional contract were fantastic for my work-life balance, and I gained invaluable
Cons: While the work is rewarding, sometimes the communication regarding shift availability for Sessional Child and Youth Care Workers could be a bit inconsistent, making long-term planning tricky. Also, the pay and benefits, while reasonable for a sessional role in the social care sector, could be more competitive given the emotional demands of the job. Formal career growth paths specifically for sessional staff could also be clearer.
Advice to Management: Continue fostering the excellent company culture and support for staff. Consider improving communication systems for sessional staff regarding shift schedules and explore more defined pathways for career progression within the organization.
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What's it like working in the pet food industry at a mid-sized company like Kibble?
Working at Kibble in the pet food industry has been great; the company culture really fosters innovation and teamwork, and I feel like my contributions in product development are valued. It's a dynamic environment with opportunities for growth.
What's the dress code like for engineers at Kibble in Boise?
At Kibble's Boise office, the dress code for engineering roles is pretty casual; think jeans and t-shirts are perfectly fine. Most employees opt for comfortable, everyday wear since it's a tech company.
What is the day-to-day work environment like at Kibble for a remote software engineer?
Working at Kibble as a remote software engineer involves a collaborative and agile environment, with a strong emphasis on team communication through tools like Slack and regular virtual stand-ups. You can expect a focus on delivering quality code in the pet tech industry, with opportunities to contribute to innovative projects.
Does Kibble offer remote work options for employees in their tech roles, particularly for software engineers in the UK?
Kibble supports a hybrid work model, allowing for a mix of office-based and remote work for many positions, including software engineering roles. Employees often have the flexibility to work from home a few days a week, depending on team needs and project requirements.
What is the team collaboration like at Kibble, especially for remote employees in the tech industry?
Kibble fosters a collaborative environment through various digital tools and regular virtual team check-ins. While many roles are remote, especially within their software development teams, there are structured opportunities for cross-functional projects and knowledge sharing.
What is Kibble's policy on remote work for software engineering roles in London?
Kibble offers a hybrid work model, allowing software engineers in our London office to work from home two days a week. This approach balances in-office collaboration with the flexibility needed for focused development.
What is the typical working culture like for a software engineer at Kibble, particularly regarding collaboration and work-life balance?
Kibble fosters a collaborative environment where engineers often work in cross-functional teams. While project deadlines can be demanding, there's a general emphasis on respecting work-life balance, with many team members in the London tech scene successfully managing their schedules.
What is the typical work environment like for a software engineer at Kibble, especially regarding team collaboration?
The team environment at Kibble is generally collaborative, with software engineers often working in cross-functional agile teams. There's a focus on open communication and shared problem-solving, which helps in delivering projects efficiently in the fast-paced tech industry.