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

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PRESS RELEASE: UNISON secures win for carers as Scottish government PPE guidance is withdrawn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

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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

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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

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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?

We Care Do You? Care workers survey
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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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 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

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

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