UNISON Scotland campaigns actively on a range of issues relevant to our social work members. We have produced a Charter of Demands to end the crisis in Social Work launched at our UNISON Scotland social work conference in October 2024. We have reported the issues affecting social work paraprofessional staff and produced Regrading Hints & Tips for paraprofessionals, as well as a Workload Management and Supervision Negotiating Resource and a Guide for Social Work Practitioners, Keeping Safe in the Workplace.
UNISON Scotland is part of the National Advisory Group developing a National Social Work Agency where we represent the interests of frontline social work staff. We have issued regular briefings to update members on the plans. UNISON works to influence social work policy at a national level and has been proactive around the implementation of The Promise and the need for reform of Care Management. We respond to government and SSSC consultations on social work matters and meet regularly with Scottish Government Ministers and key civil servants including the Chief Social Work Adviser.
UNISON Scotland also promotes the important role of our members in social work in the media and we challenge negative press and media reporting. We believe that we have had some success in improving the profile of social work in the media and in promoting a better understanding of the work done by social work members and the pressures faced