A Paisley woman is combining work and study to build her career supporting vulnerable young people through a programme run by the charity Kibble.
Iona Hill, 30, works as an Acting Senior Practitioner with the Paisley-based organisation. She is currently studying for a BA in Childhood Practice at the University of Glasgow while continuing her frontline role.
Ms Hill has five years of experience working in early years residential care. She began her career with Kibble at its Arran Villa service in Largs and now works at Forest View in Lochwinnoch.
She is one year into the three-year degree, which she is completing through Kibble’s Further Study Programme. The scheme allows staff to study for recognised qualifications while continuing to work.
Ms Hill said: “Studying while working has given me the chance to link theory with practice. It’s allowed me to reflect on what we do and why it matters, and to explore new approaches that can help meet each child’s unique needs. I’m more confident in my decisions, and more aware of the wider context of care.”
Kibble said around 31% of its staff complete additional qualifications or external training each year as part of its focus on staff development.
The charity said the programme is designed to help staff build their skills while improving the support provided to young people.
Ms Hill added: “I’ve always wanted to grow in my field, and having the backing of Kibble to study and develop has made a huge difference not just to me, but to the young people I work with. The more we learn, the better care we can provide.”
Mark Macmillan, Director at Kibble, said: “Iona’s story is a great example of how structured, supported learning can build stronger, more confident practitioners. We believe that when we invest in our people, we directly invest in better outcomes for young people.”