A Glastonbury-performing rap artist, leading academics and national care experts are among the inspiring speakers confirmed for the 2025 Kibble Annual Conference – a landmark event championing children’s rights, care and wellbeing in Scotland.
The conference, chaired by Scotland’s Children and Young People’s Commissioner, Nicola Killean, will take place on Monday, 24th November 2025, at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow. It will bring together professionals from across education, social care and health to explore how collaboration and creativity can improve outcomes for children and young people.
Among the speakers is Ric Flo, a care-experienced rap artist who has performed at Glastonbury, Boomtown and Lovebox, and has supported hip-hop icons De La Soul and The Pharcyde.
Now Creative Director and Founder of Mantra Music CIC, Ric uses his platform to empower care-experienced artists and amplify underrepresented voices in music. His workshop and performance at the conference will showcase how creative expression can transform young lives and help professionals connect more deeply with those they support.
Photo: Ric Flo
Ric said: “Creativity played a pivotal role in my life, and it continues to empower young people who’ve grown up in care to own their stories and their futures.
“When we listen to care-experienced voices – really listen – we unlock potential that’s too often overlooked. I’m proud to be part of a conference that isn’t just talking about change but making space for the young people at the heart of it.”
Alongside Ric, the conference will feature contributions from sector leaders and specialists, including:
- Kirsty Aitken, Assistant Director for NSPCC Scotland, who brings more than 20 years’ experience in trauma-informed leadership and co-production.
- Victoria McInulty, Service Manager at Foxgrove, Scotland’s National Secure Adolescent Inpatient Service, who will explore how to support mental health and resilience among young people with complex needs.
- Professor Helen Minnis, University of Glasgow, whose keynote will address how to support trauma-experienced and neurodivergent care-experienced young people to thrive.
Chairing the event, Nicola Killean, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, said: “The conference brings together professionals who work with children who have experienced vulnerability in their lives.
“It is a space to learn and share on topics within residential childcare, education, secure care, mental health services, child development and community support.
“Children should experience all their rights, and this conference is an opportunity for people to collaborate and take action to create the meaningful change needed.”
In addition to the talks and keynote sessions, workshops will be led by organisations including Who Cares? Scotland, SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health) and Youth Justice Voices, focusing on advocacy, mental health in schools, and tackling stigma around care and justice experience.
Jim Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer of Kibble, said: “Our annual conference is about bringing together the best minds and the biggest hearts in the sector. Whether through policy, practice or creative expression, our goal is to work as one to improve the lives of children and young people across Scotland.”
The Kibble Annual Conference 2025 promises an engaging, solutions-focused day blending professional insight, creativity and lived experience – celebrating the collective drive to make real and lasting change for Scotland’s young people.
Tickets are available now for Kibble’s Annual Conference on Monday, 24th November 2025, at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow via the Kibble website: Kibble Annual Conference 2025 – Kibble: Specialist services & support for young people facing adversity
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