Unison underlines pressure in Scotland

Unison Scotland has hit out at the problems social work staff face
and is calling for a full-scale review.

A campaign document, The Future for Scotland’s Social
Work, paints a bleak picture of a service struggling under
increasing pressure and facing recruitment, retention and pay
problems.

Stephen Smellie, chairperson of Unison Scotland’s social work
issues group, said: “Staff from qualified social workers to social
work assistants face problems of large numbers of vacancies,
increased stress and reducing support.

“These lead to lack of back-up, increasing risks of violence, no
time to train and increased pressure on unqualified staff.”

Unison Scotland wants a full-scale review to focus on pay,
training, recruitment, retention, resources, the role of social
workers and other staff, protection and support. The document is
being launched as part of the union’s Revitalise our Public
Services campaign.

– Go to www.unison-scotland.org.uk