Thistle Academy Foundation Course
Join our fully paid, six-week foundation course where you can learn and hone your skills in practicing the craft of providing excellent person-centred support.
“I see life differently now. The Academy has taught me that everyone has gifts and strengths and my role is to support them to live their life.”
Olivia
About the course
This unique introduction to Thistle and our approach to person-centred support focuses on developing human relationships and practicing important relational skills and competences when working with people.
Week 1: The Thistle Approach – bringing your whole self to work
Welcome to Thistle Academy! Your first week will be spent developing an understanding of the way we work at Thistle.
Week 2: The Person-Centred Approach
In week two you’ll explore the foundation of our work, and honouring the unique individuality and perspective of the people we support. A person-centred approach to work focusses on gifts and strengths and this is an exploration of those gifts and strengths, where to look for them and how to bring out the best in people we support and our colleagues.
Week 3: A Human Rights Approach – becoming human rights defenders
Scotland has a range of policy and legislation that uphold the rights of disabled people. In week three we will explore this and look at how a human rights-based approach works in the lives and the homes of the people we support.
Week 4: Placement Week
Giving you practical experience of what it is like to be a Personal Assistant at Thistle.
Week 5: Wellbeing and Citizenship – why this matters, a lot
Wellness and connectedness are conditions that support us all to live as contributing citizens. Week five explores how we promote wellness and support connections in the day-to-day lives of the people we support.
Week 6 - celebrating our learning and achievements
Looking back over the six weeks at what we have learned, and will be taking with us into our new role.
During your time on our foundation course, all elements of the mandatory training requirements prescribed by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) will be completed and participants will be registered with the SSSC. You will also have completed a PVC Disclosure.
You will be paid throughout your training at £12.10 per hour and upon successful completion of the course, you will be offered a role with us.
“Coming from a care background, the Academy has changed my perspective about my work and how to support people I work with to live their best life, in a way they want.”
Vicky
“My perspective has changed by using the person-centred approach and seeing life differently, from someone else’s point of view.”
Louise
Apply now
No previous experience is required, it’s more important to us that you are passionate about defending human rights and supporting people to live good lives, If that sounds like you, apply now by sending us:
A best selfie (which can be downloaded here) - the best selfie helps us to understand who you are and what is important to you.
A personal statement - your personal statement should focus on what skills and experience (professional and/or personal) you will bring to the role and why you want to work at Thistle.
Your best selfie and personal statement should be sent to Heather Simmons, Thistle Academy Lead - heather.simmons@thistle.org.uk. If you have any questions about the course, Heather is happy to help!
Visit Us
Centre of Wellbeing, 13 Queen's Walk, Edinburgh EH16 4EA
Hours
Monday–Friday
9am–5pm
Phone
0131 661 3366