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 for UNISON Members: Pensions and the NCS Bill

thumbnail of Members brief Pensions NCS
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

thumbnail of Pensions NCS e-briefing
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

thumbnail of UNISON Scotland NCS Bill guide
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

thumbnail of UNISON response Pre Budget Scrutiny Health Social Care Cttee Aug 22
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

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

Scotland’s public finances, cost of living impact & public service reform

thumbnail of UNISON response Pre Budget Scrutiny Finance Cttee FINAL Aug 22
This is UNISON Scotland's response to the Scottish Parliament Finance and Public Administration Committee's Call for Views as part of ... Read More

Local Government and the National Care Service

thumbnail of NCS Bill Local Government e-briefing
The National Care Service Bill was introduced to Parliament on 21 June. This briefing looks at what the proposals mean ... Read More

Social Work and the National Care Service

thumbnail of NCS Bill Social Work e-briefing
This briefing looks at what the National Care Service Bill means for UNISON’s social work members. The government is clear ... Read More

National Care Service Bill

thumbnail of NCS Bill e-briefing
The National Care Service Bill was published on 21 June. This briefing focuses on the implications and consequences of the ... Read More

UNISON Week 338: Let’s be “sensible” about pay, four day week pilot disappointment & more

thumbnail of UNISON Week 338
UNISON Week 338: Let's be "sensible" about pay, four day week pilot disappointment & more. Read full newsletter here ... Read More

Click for more publications