UNISON launches social work manifesto

The UNISON public services union has launched a Social work manifesto.

The document sets out how the union — which represents over 40,000 members working in the sector — sees UK social work in the 21st century.

Published on March 15, World Social Work Day, it explains both the state of the profession now and how the union sees it evolving in the years ahead.

The introduction says: “We recognise social workers play an important role in supporting the most vulnerable in our society. But their role is often hidden or portrayed negatively in the media. We believe social workers must be celebrated and given proper resources to do their vital work.

It adds that the union is standing up for social workers in the “significant challenges” they face: continued service cuts, rising demand for services and growing caseloads.

“We believe our fight for better working conditions and genuine development opportunities will result in better services for the public.”

The issues addressed in the manifesto include improving social worker working conditions, promoting a positive image of social work and social workers, investing in social worker development, ending austerity and rebuilding public services and ending the privatisation of health and social care.

https://www.unison.org.uk/content/uploads/2022/03/UNISON-Social-Work-Manifesto-2021.pdf