UNISON

UNISON is very happy to play a part in the Social Worker of the Year Awards. As the biggest trade union for social workers and the wider social care workforce we support any efforts to recognise the vital contribution that all social workers make to our society.

We are sponsoring this year’s Team of the Year, Adult Services award. As a union we have sought to make clear the diversity of social work: the onerous responsibilities; the challenges and rewards; the dilemmas and pressures; the impact of austerity cuts; the lengths many go to protect and support people; and the diverse ways practitioners touch the lives of adults going through difficult times.

Too often this work is hidden from public view, while social work staff grapple with complex problems and look out for people that no-one else wants to know about.

UNISON knows that many social work members are struggling with the stress and demands of the job. This is a challenging time for social workers across the UK with austerity continuing to bite, referrals rising, caseloads growing and many practising in a culture of fear.

UNISON will continue to campaign to ensure that social workers are able to work in conditions that allow them to perform their jobs to the best of their ability. We are proud that thousands of social workers will directly be playing a role in this vital campaigning work.