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

Social work staff call on Scottish Government to ‘keep the promise’ to children, says UNISON

Social work staff are struggling to deliver the services that children and families need due to understaffing, underfunding and a ... Read More

UNISON Week 324 – Greening public services, local govt pay ballot – care workers petition & more

UNISON Week 324 - Greening public services, local govt pay ballot - care workers petition & more. Read full newsletter ... Read More

‘Golden hello’s and loyalty payments needed for social care staff’ union to tell Holyrood..

Staff shortages in social care at ‘critical level’ union to tell Holyrood committee. Staff shortages have left the social care ... Read More

Webinar: Scotland’s Promise to its most vulnerable children – are we keeping it?

Sign up for this free social work lunchtime webinar on 10 November - part of UNISON Scotland Social Work Issues ... Read More

UNISON Scotland Week 321 – NHS staff are struggling, Care Futures, COP26 & more

UNISON Scotland Week 321 - NHS staff are struggling, Care Futures, COP26 & more. Read full newsletter here ... Read More

Social Work Webinar 13 Oct – National Care Service

Social work webinars are back – sign up now for the first on Wednesday 13th Oct UNISON Scotland Social Work ... Read More

Social Work publications

Briefing – National Care Service Stage 1 Committee conclusions.

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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

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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

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The National Care Service Bill proposes the biggest change to social work services in over 50 years. It transfers statutory ... Read More

UNISON Week 343 – NHS and social care in crisis and more

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UNISON Week 343 - NHS and social care in crisisand more ... Read full newsletter here ... Read More

Briefing for UNISON Members: Pensions and the NCS Bill

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This briefing is for UNISON members who work in social care and social work. It explains what the National Care ... Read More

Staff Pensions and the National Care Service

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The creation of a National Care Service could mean around 75,000 council employed social care and social work staff transferring ... Read More

National Care Service Bill – A brief guide

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The Scottish Parliament is currently considering the National Care Service (Scotland Bill). UNISON Scotland has prepared a short guide to ... Read More

Health, Social Care and Sport Committee Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2023-24

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This is the UNISON Scotland response to the Scottish Parliament's Health, Social Care and Sport Committee's Call for Views as ... Read More

National Care Service (Scotland) Bill Stage 1 Scrutiny: UNISON evidence

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UNISON has submitted its Evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s call for views on The National Care Service (Scotland) Bill. UNISON ... Read More

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