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 slams plans for huge rises in fees for social care staff as a ‘tax on compassion’
UNISON, Scotland’s largest public service union, has hit out after an announcement by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) to ... Read More
North Lanarkshire Council sign UNISON’s Ethical Care Charter
UNISON congratulated North Lanarkshire Council - who have adopted UNISON’s Ethical Care Charter today. This will ensure high standards in ... Read More
North Ayrshire Council sign up to Ethical Care Pledge is great news, say UNISON
North Ayrshire Council has adopted UNISON’s Ethical Care Charter, to ensure the delivery of high standards in homecare and better ... Read More
Inverclyde Signs Up to Ethical Care Pledge
Inverclyde Council and Health & Social Care Partnership has become one of the first in Scotland to achieve trade union ... Read More
UNISON welcomes introduction of Scottish Living Wage for social care
UNISON welcomes the Scottish Government commitment to introduce the Scottish Living Wage across the social care sector in Scotland, from ... Read More
Scotland’s home care service is at breaking point, says report from UNISON Scotland
The report – We care, do you? – is the latest in UNISON Scotland’s damage series which looks at the ... Read More
Social Work publications
Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Bill Response
UNISON Scotland wants to commend the consultation process which has taken place in the period since the last Draft Bill ... Read More
Draft Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Bill Response
UNISON Scotland has serious concerns at the effects this Draft Bill would have on our members’ ability to protect children ... Read More
Helping People Change Their Lives
A Social Work Manifesto for UNISON and BASW members in Scotland. UNISON & BASW welcome the positive steps taken in ... Read More
Creating and supporting an informed employer and employee relationship within the self-directed support sector
SPAEN and UNISONScotland interviewed a small number of people who use direct payments to employ personal assistants and a similar ... Read More
YOUR RIGHTS AT WORK – a guide for Personal Assistants and their Employers
A guide to your basic employment rights when employed as a Personal Assistant and your responsibilities if employing a Personal ... Read More
THE LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN (SCOTLAND) REGULATIONS 2008: SECOND CONSULTATION
UNISONScotland believes that many of the requirements in the consultation are consistent with good practice. There will be resource implications ... Read More
Charter for care staff employed through ‘direct payments’
UNISON, Scotland's public service union, announced on 1 May 2007 that it has agreed with a number of key Scottish disabled ... Read More
Asylum: Child’s Welfare Paramount?
First published in 2006, this ground-breaking guidance was designed to provide a framework for ethical practice for UNISON and BASW ... Read More
Report of the 21st Century Social Work Review Briefing No. 136
March 2006: In the Summer of 2004, the Scottish Parliament commissioned the 21st Century Social Work Review, following a debate ... Read More