Aberdeenshire UNISON
       
 
 

Social Work Issues Pages

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.

Keeping Safe GuideUNISON Scotland campaigns actively on a range of issues relevant to our social work members. We have just issued a Manifesto for Social Work in Scotland, which we produced jointly with the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) and we have taken the lead on issues such as direct payments. We have also issued a Workload Management and Supervision Negotiating Resource and have recently completed a Guide for Social Work Practitioners, Keeping Safe in the Workplace.

At a UK level, UNISON has issued a publication, "Cash or Care?" with 10 key questions to ask councils about the personalisation agenda.

UNISON Scotland responds to consultations on social work matters, and we meet regularly with Scottish Government Ministers and with key civil servants. We have made our voice heard on the first draft Children's Hearing Bill, and changes were made as a result of this.

UNISON Social Work Issues Group members speak up for social work on STV's Scotland Today

UNISON Scotland also promotes the important role of our members in social work in the media and we challenge negative press and media reporting. We believe that we have had some success in improving the profile of social work in the media and in promoting a better understanding of the work done by social work members and the pressures faced.

At present, Kate Ramsden is the branch's representatives on SWIG but we would be pleased to hear from any other members who may be interested. SWIG meets four times a year, usually in Glasgow.

For more information on UNISON Scotland's work on social work issues, click here.

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Social Work Issues Group logo
Stop the huge rise in registration fees for Scottish care and social workers
Time to Care 2016 - If you work in social care are you being paid the Scottish Living Wage?
Your rights as a UNISON member
Home Care Campaign 2015 - Branch acts on members' "buddy" concerns
Branch revisits Children and Families Teams to thank members and to urge others to join UNISON

Branch recognises the work of members in Children and Families Social Work as UNISON issues guidance on contempt of court ruling in Edinburgh 6th Jan 2014

Putting the dignity back into social care - Report of the National Social and Home Care Seminar Feb 2013
Homecare Supervisors review May 2011
Keeping Safe in the Workplace - a Guide for Social Work Practitioners
Comments on the Aberdeenshire Council Workload Measurement Scheme for Children and Families Staff
Report of National Social Care Seminar 23rd and 24th Feb 2010
Workload Management and Supervision Negotiating Resource
Social Work Manifesto and Branch Questionnaire
Direct Payments in Scotland
Asylum Seeker Children - A guide for members
Community and Voluntary Sector
UNISON Scotland Social Work Pages
UK Social Care Pages