At a Glance
- Tasks: Support a professional female with daily activities and outdoor pursuits.
- Company: Thistle, dedicated to empowering individuals and fostering career growth.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, extensive training, gym membership, and generous leave.
- Other info: Flexible hours, opportunities for travel, and supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in someone's life while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Empathy, problem-solving skills, and willingness to achieve SSSC registration.
The predicted salary is between 13.45 - 13.45 £ per hour.
Our Personal Assistants support people to lead full, active and socially connected lives, supporting people to achieve the things that matter to them. Applicants should have, or be willing to work towards, a qualification meeting the standards required for registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).
We are recruiting a new female Personal Assistant on a varied contract of up to 35 hours per week. This vacancy is based within Leith, Edinburgh. This service will require sleepovers. *Exemption under Equality Act 2010
We are looking for a female Personal Assistant for a professional female who suffered a spinal cord injury in 2020 and who is continuing to adjust to life with tetraplegia. Prior to the accident she was a rock-climbing athlete and spent much of her time actively outdoors in the European mountains (skiing, climbing, cycling, and walking) and is now understandably coming to terms with this life changing outcome. She continues to work in her profession and is striving to regain an active life with various outdoor pursuits, namely handcycling, sit-skiing and indoor swimming.
The successful Personal Assistant will be conscientious and reliable. You should be proficient in English. You will have authentic empathy and be able to anticipate and tactfully support on days where she is finding it more difficult to cope. You will be able to forward plan and have good problem-solving skills. You should recognise the value of your input and the positive impact it will have. You will be prepared to travel abroad on occasions and sleep over when required. You will need to be able to cycle. You will be required on occasions to prepare some basic meals. Living locally and having a degree of flexibility will be advantageous.
We are committed to supporting you to develop your skills as a practitioner and creating career development opportunities. At Thistle, you will have access to sector-leading training courses and be supported to achieve your SVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care accreditation.
Employee Benefits:
- From 1st April 2026, starting salary £13.45 per hour (£27,277 per annum (FTE)) rising to £13.55 per hour (£27,479 FTE).
- Fantastic training (on full pay) including enhanced learning in person-centred practice, leadership skills, IT and other bespoke training courses.
- SSSC registration paid for by Thistle.
- Support to achieve SVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care.
- Support from regular meetings with your team, Lead Practitioner or Coach.
- Contributory pension scheme.
- Non-contributory death in service benefit scheme.
- 30 days of annual leave, increasing by 1 day/year up to 35 days.
- Free Thistle Gym membership.
- Membership of the HSF Health Plan.
- Refer a Friend scheme, paying £250 for successfully referring someone to work with us.
Duplicate of Female* Personal Assistant SYM262 - 495128 employer: Thistle Foundation
Thistle Foundation is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment in Craigmillar. As a Domestic Assistant, you will be part of a compassionate team that prioritises the wellbeing of individuals with disabilities and long-term health conditions, while enjoying benefits such as a contributory pension scheme, generous annual leave, and free gym membership. We are committed to your professional growth and offer opportunities for training and development, making this a meaningful place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Duplicate of Female* Personal Assistant SYM262 - 495128
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Thistle Foundation.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Thistle Foundation!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Thistle Foundation, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Thistle Foundation or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Duplicate of Female* Personal Assistant SYM262 - 495128
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Thistle Foundation:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Thistle Foundation! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thistle Foundation
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
