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 welcomes decision by social care charity to pay Scottish Living Wage and says more must follow
UNISON Scotland, the union for care workers, has welcomed today’s (Tuesday) announcement by Quarriers that it will pay all staff ... Read More
UNISON welcomes Scottish Government’s Personal Protection Equipment Taskforce
UNISON has today (Friday) secured agreement from the Scottish government to create a PPE taskforce which aims to address the ... Read More
CORONAVIRUS ALL MEMBERS: Working together to fight Coronavirus
ALL MEMBERS: UNISON is proud of the response from our members, your resilience and determination to do what we do ... Read More
UNISON Scotland welcomes updating pay rise for social care workers to at least the Scottish Living Wage
UNISON Scotland welcomes today's (Sunday) announcement by Jeane Freeman, Scottish Secretary for Health that the Scottish government has agreed a ... Read More
PRESS RELEASE: UNISON secures win for carers as Scottish government PPE guidance is withdrawn
PRESS RELEASE: After days of negotiations UNISON Scotland, along with other unions, has secured agreement from the Scottish Government that ... Read More
CORONAVIRUS HEALTH STAFF AND SOCIAL CARE: Forthcoming PPE guidance
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE STAFF: revised Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) guidance is being issued today, Thursday, via the COVID-19 guidance ... Read More
Social Work publications
Briefing 084 Bargaining – Health and Social Care Delivery Plan – January 2017
KEY POINTS: • A major shift of treatment into community settings is planned • Some services and treatments will be ... Read More
Children first – ethical social work with refugee children
Ten years on from UNISON Scotland and BASW Scotland’s first ever guide for social workers on ethical working with asylum ... Read More
A Social Security System for Scotland – submission to Scottish Government Oct 2016
The UNISON Scotland submission to the Scottish Government Consultation on a Social Security System for Scotland Oct 2016 UNISON represents ... Read More
Home care workers ask – we care, do you?
Scotland needs a quality home care service to meet the growing demand and also ensures that patients who shouldn’t be ... Read More
Do you work in social work or social care? If so, Join UNISON
This leaflet has been produced by UNISON Scotland organise a Social Work Issues Group (SWIG) - it's hoped it can ... Read More
Briefing 076 Bargaining – Pay – May 2016
KEY POINTS: Pay in Scotland has fallen 12% in real terms since 2011 If it has risen in line with ... Read More
Social Care in Scotland
Social care in Scotland is in crisis! The provision of social care has changed rapidly over the last 20 years, ... Read More
Briefing No 75 – Procurement: New statutory guidance – April 2016
Briefing No 75 - Procurement: New statutory guidance - April 2016 Key Points: The Scottish Government has published a 'suite' ... Read More
Briefing 072 Bargaining: Buurtzorg Care Model – Jan 2016
Briefing 072 Bargaining: Buurtzorg Care Model - Jan 2016 Applying the Buurtzorg care model in Scotland Introduction Buurtzorg is a ... Read More
Briefing 70: Ethical Care Charter
KEY POINTS: The Ethical Care Charter was developed to provide a better quality and dignified care service This should be ... Read More