Supporting Scotland’s Social Work Services Workforce: UNISON is by far the largest union representing most Social Work and Social Care staff in Scotland. We represent Social Workers in all specialisms, residential workers, social care workers, OTs, home care staff and professional, admin and clerical support staff. We have a Social Work Issues Group (SWIG) with reps from branches across Scotland, specifically addressing Social Work issues. See also important information for workers registered with regulatory bodies.
News and updates
UNISON Week 343 – NHS and social care in crisis and more
UNISON Week 343 - NHS and social care in crisisand more ... Read full newsletter here ... Read More
UNISON assembles ‘coalition of concern’ over National Care Service legislation
Public services union UNISON is today (TUES) bringing together a wide coalition of organisations who have concerns about the impact ... Read More
UNISON comment on Social Work Scotland’s report: Setting the Bar
UNISON, Scotland’s largest social work union, has welcomed the latest report from Social Work Scotland published today (Wednesday) but says ... Read More
UNISON Week 338: Let’s be “sensible” about pay, four day week pilot disappointment & more
UNISON Week 338: Let's be "sensible" about pay, four day week pilot disappointment & more. Read full newsletter here ... Read More
UNISON Week-336 – now it’s time to defend councils, care workers travel, university strikes and more.
UNISON Week-336 - now it's time to defend councils, care workers travel, university strikes and more. Read full newsletter here ... Read More
Public funding must be contingent on union recognition
#STUC22 The Fair Work demand for effective voice for workers, so lauded by the Scottish Government, was spotlighted again in ... Read More
Social Work publications
Briefing 131 – Consultation on Safe Staffing Statutory Guidance: Care Services
The Scottish Government is consulting on its draft Statutory Guidance for safe staffing in health and care. The Health and ... Read More
Winter preparedness – response to Health, Social Care & Sport Committee
This is UNISON Scotland's response to the Scottish Parliament's Health, Social Care and Sport Committee’s call for evidence[1] for the ... Read More
Survey Report on Social Work Paraprofessionals
Our survey confirms that social work paraprofessionals are increasingly carrying out the roles of qualified social workers but without the ... Read More
Briefing 126 – Local Government Overview Report 2023
This briefing is on the May 2023 Audit Scotland Local Government Overview report for the Accounts Commission. The report looks ... Read More
Briefing 125 – Occupational Therapists and a National Social Work Agency
This briefing is about the intended remit of the proposed National Social Work Agency. This remit includes workforce matters and ... Read More
Briefing 124 – A National Social Work Agency
The Scottish Government proposes to create a National Social Work Agency. It would sit within government as part of a ... Read More
Briefing – National Care Service Stage 1 Committee conclusions.
Holyrood Committees have been looking at the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill ahead of the Stage 1 vote on the ... Read More
Scotland’s National Care Service Bill – social work webinar
The proposals by Scottish Government for a National Care Service are heading towards the Bill's first reading in March. UNISON ... Read More
Briefing 121 – National Care Service Bill: Verdict of Social Work Staff
This briefing looks at the results of UNISON's survey of social work members in which we asked for their views ... Read More
National Care Service Bill: the Verdict from Social Work Staff
The National Care Service Bill proposes the biggest change to social work services in over 50 years. It transfers statutory ... Read More