If you work as a social work assistant, family support worker or any other support role in a local government social work team then this event is for you.

‘Paraprofessionals’ are skilled staff in social work teams, who are not required to have a social work qualification but are increasingly expected to take on greater responsibilities with significant variations in grading and pay.

UNISON Scotland’s Social Work Issues Group has been exploring the concerns of paraprofessional staff. Thank you if you took part in our recent survey.

At this event we will share and discuss the collective issues regarding pay, workload, and responsibilities and what we can do together to address these. We will also share developments around a National Social Work Agency including proposals to make paraprofessionals a regulated profession via the SSSC.

Itinerary

1pm – 1.45pm

Introduction – Kate Ramsden, UNISON Scotland Social Work Issues Group & UNISON Aberdeenshire

The proposed National Social Work Agency – what it could mean for paraprofessional staff - Stephen Smellie, Chair Social Work Issues Group & Vice-convenor UNISON Scotland

Key Findings from UNISON’s survey of paraprofessional social work staff in Scotland: what you told us - Susan Galloway, UNISON Scotland Bargaining & Campaigns team.

1.45pm – 2.15pm - Discussion

2.15pm – 2.30pm - Summary and Next Steps

Winning for Social Work Paraprofessional Staff