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

CORONAVIRUS SOCIAL CARE: Guidance for Social, Community Care and Residential Settings

SOCIAL CARE: This guidance on COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is aimed at employers. This should enable them to support their staff working ... Read More

CORONAVIRUS SOCIAL CARE: Adult social care guidance to protect the most vulnerable

SOCIAL CARE: This is the new UK govt guidance for Adults receiving social care. It is pfor councils and care ... Read More

CORONAVIRUS SOCIAL CARE: Scottish Government guidance

This is a letter from the Scotland's Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, which provides an update on recent discussions ... Read More

CORONAVIRUS SOCIAL CARE: Advice

SOCIAL CARE: This page is for care workers, including residential, homecare and community care for both adults and children. It ... Read More

West Dunbartonshire social work staff in another huge vote for action

Social work staff in West Dunbartonshire have, for a second time this year, voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking strike ... Read More

UNISON Week 270 : Save from harm – UNISON Scotland survey of social work teams, St Andrew’s Day March and Rally & more……

UNISON 270 : Save from harm – UNISON Scotland survey of social work teams, St Andrew's Day March and Rally, ... Read More

Social Work publications

Briefing 69: Extending the Scottish Living Wage through procurement – updated – Nov 2015

Briefing 69: Extending the Scottish Living Wage through procurement - updated - Nov 2015
b069_BargainingBrief_LivingWage+Procurement_Nov2015 KEY POINTS: The Scottish Living Wage should be extended to all delivering public services. Social care is a key ... Read More

Community Justice (Scotland) Bill 2015

Community Justice (Scotland) Bill 2015
UNISON Scotland responded to the consultation on “Redesigning the Community Justice System” in April 2013 in which we supported Option ... Read More

Carers (Scotland) Bill

Carers (Scotland) Bill
UNISON members are well aware of the difficulties faced by carers who struggle to look after older, disabled or ill ... Read More

e-briefing Social work and contempt of court update

e-briefing Social work and contempt of court update
On 16 December 2013 two social workers employed by City of Edinburgh Council were found guilty of contempt of court ... Read More

Statutory Duty of Candour for Health and Social Care Services

Statutory Duty of Candour for Health and Social Care Services
UNISON Scotland’s Submission to the Scottish Government on its Consultation on Proposals to Introduce a Statutory Duty of Candour for ... Read More

Supervision and Workload Management

Supervision and Workload Management
This updated paper by social work practitioners in UNISON Scotland's Social Work Issues Group is designed as a tool for ... Read More

Voices from the sharp end

Voices from the sharp end
We undertook a survey of health and local authority social work staff to find out their views on current proposals ... Read More

e-briefing: Health and social care integration regulations

e-briefing: Health and social care integration regulations
The principles of health and care integration are set out in the Public Bodies (Joint Working) Act 2014. However, the ... Read More

Commission for the provision of Quality Care in Scotland

Commission for the provision of Quality Care in Scotland
UNISON Scotland has long campaigned for the quality of social care to be raised.  We have been involved formally in ... Read More

Future Model for Community Justice in Scotland response

Future Model for Community Justice in Scotland response
UNISON Scotland responded to the consultation on "Redesigning the Community Justice System" in April 2013 in which we supported Option ... Read More

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