Social Work

PublicationsSupporting 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

thumbnail of Briefing 131 – safe staffing consultation care
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

thumbnail of UNISON Response Winter Preparedness Health Social Care Cttee July23
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

thumbnail of FINAL 22 06 23 Paraprofessional survey
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

thumbnail of LG Overview Report Policy Briefing 126 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

thumbnail of Final Occupational Therapists briefing May 2023
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

thumbnail of Final NSWA Bargaining briefing 2023
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.

thumbnail of NCS Stage 1 Committee conclusions briefing
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

thumbnail of Final Briefing Social Work NCS survey 2023
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

thumbnail of FINAL 080223 NCS and social work report (003)
The National Care Service Bill proposes the biggest change to social work services in over 50 years. It transfers statutory ... Read More

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