Welcome to Thistle!
To help you find your perfect role more easily, you can select the boxes in the purple panel and then press ‘search’.
From 1st April 2025, our pay rate starts at £12.60 per hour ((£25,552 per annum full-time) for supported living roles, with a generous benefits package. You can find out more about working with us here.
Many of our supported living vacancies are personalised - written with the person we support. Because of this, you’ll see quite a lot of vacancies in our list below.
If you can’t find the role you’re looking for, you can set up an account with us and we’ll send you an email when new vacancies are posted. Just click here to sign up.
Thistle Academy is currently recruiting too! We’re looking for people returning to or looking for a career in social care. Find out more about our fully paid 6-week training programme, here.
Thistle holds a UKVI sponsor license but does not normally consider sponsorship for new applicants as part of the recruitment process. Thistle have a limited number of certificates of sponsorship available and prioritise organisational requirements and existing employees who have, at minimum, successfully completed their probationary period.
Applicants whose eligibility to work in the UK expires within the first 6 months of their expected start date will be required to confirm how they intend to demonstrate their ongoing right to work in the UK beyond their visa expiry date.
For applicants sponsored by another employer required to work full-time for their employer, Thistle will only consider these applicants for Pool/Bank shifts. This is not applicable to applicants whose employer has had their sponsor license revoked and who have had notification that their visa will be revoked.
Location: Edinburgh South
Contract Type: Permanent - Full Time, Permanent - Part Time
Closing Date: 22 August 2025
Salary: Salary: From 1st April 2025, starting salary £12.60 per hour (£25,552 per annum (FTE)) rising to £12.90 per hour (£26,161 (FTE)).
Overview:
The man you will work alongside has a varied and interesting week. He enjoys social activities, swimming, cycling, all music (gigs and discos) and being out and about with his team.
He has close family support and with the right support happy to try new activities.
We are looking for someone that is reliable and flexible and who shares these interests and wants to be part of a great team.
Job Ref: DMc221
Location: Craigmillar
Contract Type: Permanent - Full Time, Permanent - Part Time
Closing Date: 22 August 2025
Salary: Salary: From 1st April 2025, starting salary £12.60 per hour (£25,552 per annum (FTE)) rising to £12.90 per hour (£26,161 (FTE)).
Overview:
About this opportunity
This gentleman has a diagnosis of Autism and Bi-polar disorder. He is a loving, caring man who loves to laugh.
He has a weekly routine that includes swimming and horse riding and this is very important to him. This gentleman is tactile and fun, he enjoys company and to chat. He is very able and does not require any support with his personal care and is a delight to know.
Someone who has experience with Autism or mental health would be beneficial.
Job Ref: GC241
Location: Craigmillar
Contract Type: Permanent - Full Time, Permanent - Part Time
Closing Date: 22 August 2025
Salary: Salary: From 1st April 2025, starting salary £12.60 per hour (£25,552 per annum (FTE)) rising to £12.90 per hour (£26,161 (FTE)).
Overview:
About this opportunity
This young man has a passion for music, especially when he can play the tambourine. He enjoys trampolining, ice skating, and swimming, and he will often reward you with a smile. He also loves going out for drives and has his own automatic car, so we are preferably looking for drivers.
We are seeking creative, reliable, and flexible team members who can find fun and engaging ways to support him in pursuing his interests both in his local community and around Edinburgh. An understanding that people communicate in different ways is essential, as is a commitment to ensuring he leads a full, active, and socially connected life.
If you are enthusiastic, patient, and eager to make a positive impact, we would love to hear from you!
Job Ref: JW251
Location: Central Edinburgh
Contract Type: Permanent - Full Time, Permanent - Part Time
Closing Date: 22 August 2025
Salary: Salary: From 1st April 2025, starting salary £12.60 per hour (£25,552 per annum (FTE)) rising to £12.90 per hour (£26,161 (FTE)).
Overview:
About this opportunity
This lady will have 24/7 support, and she lives in her own flat in the West of Edinburgh for now but may move in the future. This lady is very sociable and doesn’t like spending time on her own. She likes to have people around her and to go out as much as possible to her favourite place's, the cinema, theatres, bowling and loves to shop. It’s important to and for this lady to keep her hair and nails looking good. Some other interests are playing cards, dominoes and quizzes, she also likes to watch tv and sometimes listens to music.
For more details, please contact jackie.deans@thistle.org.uk
Job Ref: TA251
Location: Craigmillar
Contract Type: Permanent - Part Time
Closing Date: 22 August 2025
Salary: From 1st April 2025, starting salary £12.60 per hour (£25,552 per annum (FTE)) rising to £12.90 per hour (£26,161 FTE)).
Overview:
Job Details
We are looking for people to fill a variety of roles. This can include personal care, driving, and sleepovers/waking nights. We are looking for several part time staff who can work flexibly, creatively and can use their initiative to seek out different opportunities to enable people to live their best life. There are various hours available between 10hrs -20hrs per week.
If you’re passionate about what matters to people and to supporting someone to live a good life, we’d love to hear from you.
Applicants must have or be willing to work towards a qualification meeting the standards required for registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)
Please click here for the full job description.
Job ref: PA251
Location: Craigmillar
Contract Type: Permanent - Part Time
Closing Date: 22 August 2025
Salary: From 1st April 2025, starting salary £12.60 per hour (£25,552 per annum (FTE)) rising to £12.90 per hour (£26,161 FTE)).
Overview:
Job Details
We have two vacancies for female* team members to join the team of PAs that support a lady who lives in Craigmillar, Edinburgh. These positions are for 20-30 hours per week.
These are the current shift patterns. These may change as the support package is being reviewed. Support is provided 7 days a week.
- Morning: 7 am to 10 am
- Dayshift: 12 midday to 5 pm
- Evenings followed by a sleepover: 9 pm to 7 am
*Exemption under Equality Act 2010
About this opportunity
She is a sociable person and has a cheeky personality. She’s 72 years old who is a wheelchair user with Cerebral Palsy.
She enjoys listening to music, knitting and going out and about however does like her own space from time to time.
She is looking for someone who is a good communicator, listener and able to support her in her activities.
Job Ref: JR251
Location: Central Edinburgh
Contract Type: Permanent - Part Time
Closing Date: 22 August 2025
Salary: • Salary: From 1st April 2025, starting salary £12.60 per hour (£25,552 per annum (FTE)) rising to £13.52 per hour (£27,418 (FTE)).
Overview:
Job Details
Sociable and good-natured young woman who lives in central Edinburgh seeks caring and supportive female* PA.
Flexibility is important plus the ability to work well in a small, friendly team. A person-centred approach is key and ongoing training will be provided.
Musical and creative interests are helpful along with a willingness to learn about simple therapeutic approaches. Good attention to detail is also vital for this role.
Part time post available. 16-20 hours per week.
There is also a paid-on call which all staff will partake in.
*Exemption under Equality Act 2010
Job Ref: AM251
Location: Central Edinburgh
Contract Type: Permanent - Full Time, Permanent - Part Time, Fixed Term
Closing Date: 22 August 2025
Salary: From 1st April 2025, starting salary £12.60 per hour (£25,552 per annum (FTE)) rising to £12.90 per hour (£26,161 FTE)).
Overview:
Job Details
We are recruiting for up to 2 female Personal Assistants* to join our Practitioner Response Team at Thistle Foundation Head Office on either a full time, 32-hour, temporary maternity cover basis or a 20-hour, permanent basis.
A position within the Practitioner Response Team also entails a level of independent on-call response, this can also be carried out from home but includes a provision of being available to take calls overnight i.e., between 8pm and 9am for emergencies, minimum 2 nights a week. This is paid separately to the forementioned salary and will be discussed at interview.
Shifts are agreed alongside the team on a rota basis, the current team work well together to ensure all shifts are covered but also done on a fair ratio. There is the potential for sleepovers if required alongside your shift if you are called out to cover, however the main purpose is to work alongside existing teams within Thistle to provide support to look for solutions to cover within the established team.
Requiring a calm, flexible and logical approach, these is a need to understand IT as you will be required to complete sickness reports, access information to support you looking for solutions, ability to answer calls and deal with this in a solution focused manor.
*Exemption under Equality Act 2010
Job Ref: PRT251
Location: Gorgie
Contract Type: Permanent - Part Time
Closing Date: 22 August 2025
Salary: From 1st April 2025, starting salary £12.60 per hour (£25,552 per annum (FTE)) rising to £12.90 per hour (£26,161 FTE)).
Overview:
About this opportunity:
We are looking for female personal assistants* to work alongside this vibrant young energetic woman who loves to work out and walk long distances. She has a thirst for independence and this role is very much to enhance and encourage this with a measured approach. It is important that you are confident with a warm sense of humour.
If you would like an informal chat about this vacancy please contact Sharon.Hauxwell@thistle.org.uk
Please click here for the full job description.
Job ref: MG251
Location: Leith
Contract Type: Permanent - Part Time
Closing Date: 22 August 2025
Salary: From 1st April 2025, starting salary £12.60 per hour (£25,552 per annum (FTE)) rising to £12.90 per hour (£26,161 FTE))
Overview:
About this opportunity
We are looking for a young at heart individual who can provide personal care and social support to help us live independent lives. We need you to be able to use your initiative and think creatively to problem solve in the moment while keeping a sense of humour. You will need to be able to work flexibly to meet the demands of our changing schedule. Shifts include sleepovers, day and evening support hours. All days are different, you will need to be able to adapt to different situations, be that going to university, office or travelling to other areas of the country to do sports and comedy gigs. We enjoy socialising and spending time with friends and family.
We aim to create a fun and inclusive work environment. We have childcare support from another provider, so our house is quite busy. You will be part of a larger team and be responsible for creating rotas with the support of other PAs and your Lead Practitioner.
We require that you are fully vaccinated for Covid 19 and keep up to date with boosters.
Driving (wheelchair accessible van) would be non-essential but highly desirable ability.
We have a cat.
We ask that you are happy and able to work around toddlers.
Both male and female personal care is a requirement of this role
If you would like an informal chat about this vacancy please contact sam.smith@thistle.org.uk
Job ref: MC251
Location: Leith
Contract Type: Permanent - Part Time
Closing Date: 22 August 2025
Salary: From 1st April 2025, starting salary £12.60 per hour (£25,552 per annum (FTE)) rising to £12.90 per hour (£26,161 FTE)).
Overview:
About this opportunity
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.
The successful Personal Assistant will be conscientious and reliable, presentable and have good personal hygiene. You should be proficient in English. You will have authentic empathy and be able to anticipate and tactfully support your client 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 and swim. Living locally and having a degree of flexibility will be advantageous.
If you would like an informal chat about this vacancy please contact Patrycja.Gutowska@thistle.org.uk
Job Ref: SYM251
Location: Craigmillar
Contract Type: Permanent - Part Time
Closing Date: 22 August 2025
Salary: Salary: From 1st April 2025, starting salary £12.60 per hour (£25,552 per annum (FTE)) rising to £13.52 per hour (£27,418 (FTE)).
Overview:
About this opportunity
We are looking for a male* driver Wellbeing Practitioner to join the team of a lively young man who receives 24/7 support from Thistle.
He has a big personality, a great sense of humour and thrives with people who take time to understand him. He is full of energy and needs someone similar to help him through his day. He leads a busy life of activities which are in place to help him progress and enhance his autonomy. Many of these activities include and being in close contact with animals, so an interest in this is desirable as it is a big part of his life. As well as this his team are expected to actively participate in some sporting activities he enjoys, which include walking, cycling, fishing, trampolines, boat trips. Household duties and personal care are also part of the daily routine, which you would be expected to support with and encourage him to complete. Sometimes, certain events can present a very difficult time for this young man. These can cause him to become distressed and requires the utmost attention and diligence of his staff, working together to help him through these times and keep him safe.
Job Ref: AC243
Location: Craigmillar
Contract Type: Permanent - Part Time
Closing Date: 22 August 2025
Salary: Salary: From 1st April 2025, starting salary £12.60 per hour (£25,552 per annum (FTE)) rising to £13.52 per hour (£27,418 (FTE)).
Overview:
About this opportunity
He has a great sense of humour, loves being out and about, working and socialising. He currently works part time, so his team support him there as well.
He is very passionate about technology and his car. It is essential that his team members are drivers.
If you would like to be part of a self-directed team that would work together to enable this individual to lead a good life, this role could be for you.
If you would like an informal chat about this vacancy, please contact hannah.caird@thistle.org.uk
Job Ref: SD251
Location: Slateford
Contract Type: Permanent - Part Time
Closing Date: 22 August 2025
Salary: Salary: From 1st April 2025, starting salary £12.60 per hour (£25,552 per annum (FTE)) rising to £13.52 per hour (£27,418 (FTE)).
Overview:
About this opportunity
I am an active individual and would like someone enthusiastic, active, approachable, and confident to join my team, who would support me with living the life to the fullest through doing the things I really enjoy. These comprise of walking, music, art and craft, visiting the zoo, going to horse riding and swimming. I am also looking forward to going to the theatre, seeing pipe bands, and going on holiday again, when circumstances allow. I do have epilepsy and need assistance with my mobility, personal care (dressing up and showering), administration of medication, and general daily living tasks such as, cooking, shopping, cleaning etc. I have my own communication style and use only a few words, but I can make myself heard and eventually understood which becomes easier once you get to know me. Although I have been building my strength in this respect recently, I require constant assistance with walking, and I have also a wheelchair, that I use when necessary. On a rainy day I love exploring Edinburgh by car.
Job Ref RF251
Location: Craigmillar
Contract Type: Permanent - Part Time
Closing Date: 22 August 2025
Salary: • Salary: From 1st April 2025, starting salary £12.60 per hour (£25,552 per annum (FTE)) rising to £13.52 per hour (£27,418 (FTE)).
Overview:
Job Details
We are looking for a Wellbeing Practitioner to join a self-organised team who support a very busy man who lives in his own home in Craigmillar, Edinburgh. This position is for 24 hours per week. A driving licence is essential for this role as he has his own car. Sleepovers will be included as part of the service.
About this opportunity
- This gentleman needs a level of assistance with everyday tasks such as shopping, cooking, and housework.
- He likes to be able to do as much as possible from the confines of his wheelchair, and will work with you to prepare meals, clean his home etc. He does require more support with personal care.
- He works 2 days a week at Ikea, and if you are successful in your application, you would be expected to undertake an Ikea induction as you will be assisting him on these shifts at Ikea as well as the requisite Thistle Foundation training.
- As well as his job he has an active social life and has regular nights out as well as hosting friends at his home occasionally. He also like to go on holiday, weekends away were possible. He also likes chill time too watching football and other shows on TV or playing his Nintendo game.
- He is close to his family and visits, when possible. He is a confirmed music lover and not only listens to music he loves to sing at the top of his voice when our in his car with the music loud. He likes weekends away and has had a holiday to Spain to visit his family’s villa in Spain with the support of his team.
- He loves staying involved with various classes online and keeping in touch in friends/family, facetime, voice notes and meeting for coffees etc.
- Support is provided 7 days a week. We require someone to be fully flexible.
This role will also include admin tasks e.g. work on rotas/updating My Life My support plans, arranging meetings, and taking minutes, so basic IT skills are required. There will be training and support provided.
Job ref: KD251
