Links
Welcome to UNISON’s links section. Here you’ll find a wealth of online resources organised alphabetically by subject with full descriptions of what each site offers.
You can either browse the list in its entirety or jump straight to your preferred section by clicking on one of the links below:
- Community and voluntary sector
- Disability
- Economics and public spending
- Education
- Employment
- Energy
- Environment
- Europe
- Government and politics
- Health and safety
- Health care
- Housing
- Human rights and civil liberties
- Industry
- Information resource centres and directories
- International
- Labour link
- Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality
- Libraries
- Lifelong learning
- Local government
- Pay and conditions
- Police
- Social policy and research
- Social security and welfare reform
- Social services
- Transport
- Unions
- Water
- Women
- Youth and Community
Labour link
Catalyst
catalystforum.org.uk/
Catalyst is a new campaigning think tank for the labour movement and the left, committed to developing and promoting practical policies for the redistribution of wealth, power and opportunity..
Epolitix
epolitix.com
Regularly updated online political resource
The Labour Party
labour.org.uk
Latest info on policy, campaigning and what other parties are up to. You can see exactly what Labour has done in your area
No 10 Downing Street
number-10.gov.uk
Briefings and latest policy from the heart of government
Progress
progressives.org.uk
Progress is an organisation for Labour Party members and trade unionists. It aims to promote debate and encourage a real dialogue between LabourŐs grassroots and party leadership.
UK Online
ukonline.gov.uk
The easy way to government information and services online
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality
Bi Community News
bicommunitynews.co.uk
Journal of the UK bisexual community
Broken Rainbow
broken-rainbow.org.uk
Support for LGBT people experiencing domestic violence
International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA)
ilga.org
Worldwide federation of national and local groups dedicated to achieving equal rights for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgendered people everywhere
ILGA Europe Region
ilga-europe.org
European Region of the International Lesbian and Gay Association
Improving Policy and Practice for LGBT People: Guidance for Local Authorities
scotland.gov.uk/Publications/
Scottish guidance that provides a baseline for the policy and practice of local authorities in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity
Lesbian and Gay Coalition Against Racism
naar.org.uk/lagcar/
Lesbian and gay sub-group of the National Assembly Against Racism
Press for Change
pfc.org.uk
Political lobbying and educational organisation campaigning to achieve equal rights for all transgender people in the UK through legislation and social change
REGARD
regard.co.uk
National organisation of disabled LGBT people
Stonewall
stonewall.org.uk
Professional lobby group working for equal rights for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals
TUC LGBT pages
tuc.org.uk/equality
For information on cross-union campaigning for LGBT equality
UK Gay
uk.gay.com
News and resources for the UK lesbian and gay community.
UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group
uklgig.org.uk
Charity providing information and advice on immigration rights for same-sex couples and support for lesbian and gay asylum seekers
UNISON Greater London LGBT group
unison.org.uk/london/out.asp
Information on UNISON's LGBT group for members living in Greater London
UNISON Scotland LGBT website
unison-scotland.org.uk/lesbiangay
News, contacts, annual report and information for LGBT members in Scotland
Libraries
Library Campaign
librarycampaign.co.uk
Supporting friends and users of libraries
Lifelong learning
Lifelong Learning UK
www.lifelonglearninguk.org
Sector skills council responsible for the professional development of all those working in libraries, archives and information services, work-based learning, higher education, further education and community learning and development
Local government
ACE National
acecarers.org.uk
Action for Carers and Employment is a national partnership working to support the inclusion of carers in training and work
Association for Public Service Excellence
apse.org
Not for profit government body working with more than 300 local authorities throughout the UK, providing support, advice, information and training
Children's Workforce Development Council
cwdcouncil.org.uk
Training and advice for people working with children, young people, their families and carers
IPF
ipf.com
Management support services company of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. It aims to help public services manage their resources more effectively
Department of Communities and Local Government
communities.gov.uk
Government department charged with building prosperous and cohesive communities, offering a safe, healthy and sustainable environment for all
Local Government Employers
lge.gov.uk
Represents local authority and related employer interests in pay and pensions negotiations and helps councils develop a framework for their roles and responsibilities as employers
Improvement and Development Agency
idea.gov.uk
IDeA Knowledge works for local government improvement by sharing news and good practice from councils across England and Wales
Info4Local
info4local.gov.uk
One-stop information gateway for local public services
Local Government Association
lga.gov.uk
The national voice for local authorities
Local Government Information Unit
lgiu.gov.uk
Independent research and information organisation, providing local authorities with policy advice, resources and training
Probation Boards Association
probationboards.co.uk
National employer association for probation boards in England and Wales
Skillsmark
skillsmark.co.uk
Education and training quality mark for the Justice sector
Pay and conditions
AA motoring costs
theaa.co.uk/motoring_advice
Detailed information about running your car
Corporate Watch
aflcio.org/corporatewatch
US-based online centre that dishes the dirt on global big business, including sweatshops and the skyrocketing salaries of company CEOs
Department of Trade & Industry: Employment Matters
dti.gov.uk/employment
Government guidance and information on all employment issues including flexible working, national minimum wage, redundancy entitlement and public holidays
European Low-Wage Employment Research Network(LoWER)
uva-aias.net/lower
Brings together more than 40 European researchers on low pay and low skills, wage inequality, gender, immigration and other employment issues
European Services Strategy Unit
european-services-strategy.org
Research and strategy unit committed to the provision of good quality public services. Works with public bodies, community organisations and trade unions
Incomes Data Services
incomesdata.co.uk
Independent research organisation providing information and analysis on pay, conditions, pensions, employment law and personnel policy and practice
Labour Research Department
lrd.org.uk
Independent research organisation publishing news and information for trade unionists to support negotiations and campaigns
LexisNexis Butterworths
lexisnexis.co.uk
Online cataglogue and shop for publications on human resources, employment law, housing and construction, IT, pay and pensions and health
Public Services International Research Unit
psiru.org
Researches the privatisation and restructuring of public services around the world, with special focus on water, energy, waste management, and healthcare
UK Low Pay Commission
lowpay.gov.uk
Advises the government about the National Minimum Wage and recommends (or otherwise) increases in the current rates of pay
Working Families
workingfamilies.org.uk
UK's leading work-life balance organisation. Helps children, working parents and carers and their employers find a better balance between responsibilities at home and work.
Police
Association of Police Authorities
apa.police.uk
National voice of police authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, influences policy on policing and supports local police authorities in their important role
British Association of Women Police
bawp.org
The Association was founded in 1987 and is the only organisation in the UK to draw members from all ranks of the police service and support staff, both male and female
The European Network of Policewomen
enp.nl
Pan-European network striving to facilitate positive change and improve the working conditions of women police officers
Independent Police Complaints Commission
ipcc.gov.uk
Police watchdog aims to ensure that complaints against the police are dealt with effectively
The International Association of Women Police
iawp.org
The IAWP strives to ensure equity for women in the criminal justice field by utilising, investing and celebrating the individual strengths, talents and skills of its members
Gay Police Association
gay.police.uk
National staff association that specifically represents the needs and interests of lesbian and gay police employees in the UK
Home Office: Police
police.homeoffice.gov.uk
Police-related information, support and guidance published by the Home Office
National Black Police Association
nationalbpa.com
Works to promote good race relations and equal opportunities within the UK police and the wider community
The Police Foundation
police-foundation.org.uk
Independent charity working to develop efficient and effective policing through applied research and development, education and training
Police Oracle
policeoracle.com
Police news and information portal
Single Non-Emergency Number
snen.homeoffice.gov.uk
Stakeholder site for those involved in the design, development and implementation of the single non-emergency number programme
Social policy and research
Economic and Social Research Council
esrc.ac.uk
Aims to provide high quality research addressing economic and social concerns, on issues of importance to business, the public sector and government
Institute for Public Policy Research
ippr.org.uk
Left-leaning independent think-tank offering far-reaching and realistic policy solutions to produce a fairer, more inclusive and more environmentally sustainable world
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
jrf.org.uk
UK's largest independent social research and development charity, supporting a wide programme of projects in housing, social care and social policy
PolicyBrief
policybrief.org
One-stop-shop for all public policy initiatives in the UK. Works with leading UK think tanks and independent policy institutes across the political spectrum
Policy Network
progressive-governance.net
International think-tank dedicated to promoting progressive policies and the renewal of social democracy
Social Exclusion Taskforce
cabinetoffice.gov.uk/social_exclusion
Cross-departmental task force charged with championing the needs of the most disadvantaged members of society within government
Social Sciences information gateway
www.intute.ac.uk/socialsciences
Free online service providing access to web resources for education and research
Social security and welfare reform
Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion
cesi.org.uk
Independent organisation working with the public sector, voluntary organisations, business & trade unions to promote social justice & inclusion & tackle disadvantage
Department for Work and Pensions
dwp.gov.uk
The DWP is responsible for delivering support and advice to people of working age, employers, pensioners, families and children and disabled people
New Deal
newdeal.gov.uk
Government programme that aims to give unemployed people the help and support they need to get into work
Social services
Association of Directors of Adult Social Services
adss.org.uk
Represents directors of adult social services in local authorities in England, who have statutory responsibility for the social care of older people and adults with disablities
British Association of Social Workers
basw.co.uk
BASW is the largest association representing social work and social workers in the UK. Offers help, support and advice
Department of Health: social care
doh.gov.uk/socialcare
Information and guidance relating to recent policy developments in social care
Care Council for Wales
ccwales.org.uk
Established to promote high standards of conduct and practice among social care workers and high standards in their training
Commission for Social Care Inspection
csci.org.uk
Inspects and reports on care services and councils to improve social care and stamp out bad practice
General Social Care Council
gscc.org.uk
The social care workforce regulator for England. Its online links to social care websites are an excellent resource
Northern Ireland Social Care Council
niscc.info
The General Social Care Council's equivalent body in Northern Ireland, responsible for raising standards in the social care workforce
Scottish Social Services Council
sssc.uk.com
Regulatory body for the Scottish social care workforce
Social Care Association
socialcareassociation.co.uk
The leading voice for all staff groups in the social care service wherever they work
Social Care Institute for Excellence
scie.org.uk
Established by the government to develop and promote knowledge about good practice in social care
Social Work Admissions System/University and College Admissions Service
ucas.co.uk
Applications for social work courses are made through SWAS, a part of UCAS. The UCAS website contains lists of all the courses offered in any further or higher education establishment in the UK, including social work, and you can search by type of course, region or by individual university
Social Work recruitment campaign
socialworkandcare.co.uk
This Department of Health site brings together a wealth of information about careers in social work or social care
Skills for Care
topssengland.net
Sector Skills Council responsible for developing and promoting national standards
Transport
Commission for Integrated Transport
cfit.gov.uk
Indpendent adviser to the government on the implementation of integrated transport policy. Also monitors developments across transport, environment and other sectors
Department for Transport
dft.gov.uk
Government department responsible for transport issues (except when devolved), in particular, railway franchising and a range of executive agencies
Unions
American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)
aflcio.org
Voluntary federation of America's unions, representing 10 million working women and men nationwide
European Trade Union Institute
etui.org
Forms a bridge between trade unions and academia and keeps unions informed about various European matters affecting industrial relations policy and its implementation
Global Unions
global-unions.org
News and campaign updates from the global unions
LabourNet UK
labournet.net
Website providing communications, news and information for the labour movement
LabourStart
labourstart.org
Good and regularly updated database of union-related news from around the world
Modern Records Centre
warwick.ac.uk/modern_records
Nationally important archives for the study of social, economic and political history, particularly from the mid 19th century onwards
Public Services International
world-psi.org
International trade union federation uniting public sector workers around the world
Trades Union Congress
tuc.org.uk
With member unions representing nearly seven million workers from all walks of life, the TUC campaigns for a fair deal at work and for social justice at home and abroad
Working Class Movement Library
wcml.org.uk
Collection of English-language books, periodicals, pamphlets, archives and artefacts concerned with the activities, expression and enquiries of the labour movement, its allies and its enemies, since the late 1700s
Water
Office of Water Services (Ofwat)
ofwat.gov.uk
Economic regulator for the water and sewerage industry in England and Wales
Water UK
water.org.uk
Represents all UK water suppliers and waste water operators at a national and European level. Provides frameworks for the water industry to engage with government, regulators, stakeholder organisations and the public
Women
Action for Southern Africa
actsa.org
Abortion Rights
abortionrights.org.uk
The national pro-choice campaign, lobbying for law reform and the provision of easily accessible, woman friendly, NHS funded abortion services
Breakthrough
breakthrough.org.uk
A pioneering charity saving lives and changing futures through research, campaigning and education.
Daycare Trust
daycaretrust.org.uk
Daycare Trust is the national childcare charity. It has been working since 1986 to promote high quality affordable childcare for all
Endometriosis UK
endometriosis-uk.org.index.html
A charity committed to providing much-needed support and information for anyone affected by the condition.
Fawcett Society
fawcettsociety.org.uk
Fawcett campaigns for equality between women and men. Where there's an inequality gap between women and men they are working to close it. UNISON campaigns with Fawcett on equal pay and other gender issues.
Gingerbread
gingerbread.org.uk
The national charity working with single parent families, providing support and a campaigning voice for single parents and their families.
The Howard League for penal reform
howardleague.org/
The Howard League for Penal Reform is the oldest penal reform charity in the UK. It is entirely independent of government and is funded by voluntary donations.
Maternity Action
maternityaction.org.uk
Maternity Action works to end inequality and promote the health and well-being of all pregnant women, their partners and children from before conception through to the child's early years.
Ovarian Cancer Action
ovarian.org.uk
Taking to steps to improve the survival of women with ovarian cancer, by raising awareness of symptoms and risk factors, funding research, and giving women a voice
Refugee Women's Resource Project
asylumaid.org.uk
Vote for Choice
vfc.org.uk
National coalition of organisations campaigning for a woman's choice on abortion
Women's Aid
womensaid.org.uk
National charity working to end violence against women and children; coordinates and supports more than 500 domestic and sexual violence services across the country
Women of Zimbabwe Arise
wozazimbabwe.org
Women's Environmental Network
wen.org.uk
Campaigning on environmental and health issues from women's perspective
The Women and Equality Unit
womenandequalityunit
Supports the government in practical improvements to women's lives that benefit society as a whole. Priorities include delivery of health and education services, closing the pay gap and encouraging more women to take up public appointments
Zimbabwean TUC
zctu.co.zw
Youth and Community
Children’s Workforce Development Council
cwdcouncil.org.uk/
CWDC exists to improve the lives of children, young people, their families and carers
by ensuring that all people working with them have the best possible training and
advice.
