Cuts to children’s centres hitting the most disadvantaged

The mass closure of council-run centres, and the loss of specialist staff, have left many vulnerable families unable to access vital early-years support.

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UNISON statement on the murder of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes

The union sends condolences to all those affected by the case, and remains committed to supporting all those working in child social care

Shocking picture of austerity cuts to local services is revealed by UNISON

Hundreds of youth centres, libraries and public toilets causing huge impact on communities

Scottish careers advice members on a hill above Fife holding a placard reading: Careers Advice – a national service provided locally

UNISON makes call for proper careers advice in England and Wales

As young people face the prospect of having to rethink their career plans, the unions says 15 days training isn’t enough to help them

Visitors' entrance to Palace of Westminster

Nursery campaigners meet minister to call for better funding

Salford UNISON, parents and mayor put the case to Nadhim Zahawi

Cowd with banners at Salford nurseries rally in March

Nursery funding campaign goes to Westminster

Salford campaigners to the fore in launching national funding for nurseries campaign at Parliament on 25 April

Picture of girl sitting on school steps

Help a million children get the free school meals they need

UNISON backs Children’s Society campaign against changes to free school meal eligibility in England which could stop up to one million children qualifying

UNISON welcomes West Sussex jobs move

Council brings safeguarding jobs back in house, citing fears that children are at risk because privatised contract delivers too few assessments

Plans to let councils opt out of legal duties to children dropped

UNISON welcomes government move after months of campaigning on Children and Social Work Bill (England)

Add your name to the call to save nursery school funding

Sign the petition to parliament and help make sure nursery schools in England are properly funded

Funding cuts threaten nursery schools, unions warn Greening

UNISON joins fellow unions, charities and others involved in early years education to sign open letter

Keeping statutory duties for children the right move, says UNISON

UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “Ill-conceived government plans to remove statutory duties protecting children should never have been put forward. “Social workers recognised the danger of removing decades of child protection law, it’s a pity ministers didn’t bother to ask them about the risks posed by the proposals. “The Lords have seen sense and […]

Social work reform survey report

Social workers reject government reforms as unsafe, says UNISON

Government plans to reform the delivery of children’s social care have been overwhelmingly rejected by practising social workers in a new report published today (Wednesday) by UNISON. UNISON says the proposals could prove dangerous for children and fail to tackle any of the fundamental problems social workers deal with on a daily basis. UNISON says […]

UNISON backs petition to protect children’s care rights in England

Members and the public are urged to back the call to ‘protect the rights of vulnerable children and care leavers’ from plans in new bill

UNISON leads campaign to save Bolton children’s centres

Union launches protest after council announces merger plan that will see two thirds of centres closed