Speaking up for social workers

UNISON is speaking up for social workers.

We believe you do a vital job supporting children, adults and families in vulnerable situations.

Yet at times it seems like social workers get little credit but plenty of blame

Little credit for helping to improve the lives of tens of thousands of people with multiple and complex problems.

Plenty of blame when a tragedy or a crime has not been prevented, or when social workers are condemned as over-zealous and interfering.

People in need deserve social workers who have the time and resources to support them properly. And, because of the difficult job you do, you need a union that supports you.

We want a better deal for social workers – better pay and safer working conditions, reduced workloads and the right tools to do the job.

We also believe it’s vital that social workers have a strong voice in the current debate on the future of social work.

If you’re a social worker, join UNISON today.

Latest updates

NSPCC proposal to place legal duty on social workers - UNISON says think again

UNISON, the union representing 40,000 social workers, today urged the NSPCC to “think again” about their calls to make it a legal duty for social workers to speak to a child alone.

Social Work Task Force - your say

The Social Work Task Force has published its recommendations on social work. Help UNISON to represent your views and priorities by taking our survey.

Final report of the Social Work Taskforce has been published

The final report of the Social Work Taskforce has been published. Recommendations include a reformed system of initial training; a nationally recognised career structure; a system for forecasting levels of demand for social workers; and binding standards for employers in how frontline social work should be resourced, managed and supported.

Laura Essom - child social worker

Laura Essom explains what it's like to be a child social worker.

Time to tear down wall of secrecy surrounding social work

UNISON, the UK's largest public sector union, has today (12 November) accused councils of fuelling suspicion and undermining public confidence in social workers, by barring them from speaking out in the media.

Social workers facing burnout

UNISON calls for more social workers, and for changes to their working lives, following figures released about their sickness absence.
PRESS RELEASE: Social work sickness rates - UNISON response

Clare in the community

UNISON makes appearance in this week's regular Guardian cartoon 'Clare in the community'.

Urgent action needed to prevent 'Granny P' tragedy

Almost two-thirds of social workers in adult services believe that they are worse resourced now than they were 5 years ago. This is just one of a number of disturbing findings from a new UNISON survey.

UNISON calls for time on second anniversary of the death of baby Peter

On the second anniversary of the tragic death of baby Peter at the hands of his mother and her boyfriend, UNISON is calling on councils to give social workers the time they need to spend with their clients.

Councils need more financial backing for 'grow your own social worker' scheme

UNISON comments on the seventh Commons’ report into Training of Children and Families Social Workers

Facing up to the task - UNISON reaction to social work report

The interim report from the Social Work Task Force is an important milestone towards forging a more coherent direction for social work.

Social work vacancies hit danger point warns UNISON

(17/06/09) UNISON, the UK's largest public sector union, today accused council bosses of “covering up” the true extent of social work vacancies across the country and the risk that poses.

Your say Mail us your views and comments

Your say on social work We believe it's vital that social workers have a strong voice in the debate about the future of social work. That's why we're asking for your views on all aspects of social work. Your say