📢 Barnet UNISON Update: Professional Registration Fees for Social Workers

Dear Members,

Barnet UNISON is continuing to advocate on behalf of our social work members regarding the issue of professional registration fees.

We recently wrote to the employer requesting that Barnet Council consider covering the cost of annual professional registration fees for social workers. This request was made in recognition of the fact that registration with Social Work England is a statutory requirement—without it, social workers cannot legally practice or be employed in their role.

In response, the employer reiterated their current policy of not paying professional subscriptions for staff, citing that such requirements are already considered within the job evaluation process. They also expressed concerns about affordability and fairness across different professions.

We have responded to this position by highlighting that:

  • Social workers are uniquely impacted by this statutory requirement, which is not optional and must be renewed annually.
  • This ongoing cost is not currently reflected in the job evaluation process, despite repeated concerns raised by UNISON over the years.
  • Other councils do support their social workers with this cost, and we believe Barnet should review its stance in light of this growing trend.

We have formally requested a meeting with senior management and HR to discuss this issue further and explore potential solutions, including a review of the job evaluation process and possible financial support options.

📌 Please keep an eye out for further updates as we continue to push for a fair and equitable outcome for our members.

If you have any questions on this matter, please email Barnet UNISON at contactus@barnetunison.org.uk.

In solidarity, Barnet UNISON

 

“3.2% is not good enough – members deserve better!”

The news is that the response of the employers to the joint trade union National Pay claim for £3,000 is 3.2%.

Barnet UNISON members can view what 3.2% means to their grade by clicking on the link below

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/2025/04/24/national-pay-offer-3-2/

UNISON members know that their pay has fallen behind the cost of living and that they are “all now working one day a week for free.”

If we continue to fail to negotiate a pay award that directly deals with the cost-of-living crisis, soon public sector workers will be working “two days a week for free.”

We are in the worst cost-of-living crisis in 77 years.

Politicians seeking to confuse and defend poor pay talk about inflation rates falling as if that has improved things for our members.

Speaking to some of our lowest paid members in care homes, depots, and schools, they are seriously struggling to survive on poverty wages.

Inflation may go up and down, but prices are not going down and they keep rising:

  • 50% rise in local Bus Fares
  • 41% rise in Water Bills
  • 22% rise in Stamp prices
  • 18.4% rise in Energy Bills
  • 16% rise Rail Cards
  • 14% rise in Tuition Fees
  • 4.99% rise in Council Tax
  • 4.6% rise in Rail Fares

Whilst the poor are getting poorer, and the rich are getting richer.

We have been here before in 2009 our Barnet UNISON Branch Secretary set out his serious concerns in a letter to Prime Minister Gordon Brown 24 June 2009

“Barnet Council has made efficiency savings of £80.9m over 7 years, £58.8m in the last 5 years” 

https://www.barnetunison.me.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/NO_PRIMEMINISTER_0.pdf

15 years ago, Barnet UNISON had concerns about poverty, privatisation and the emergence of the Far-Right politics. In Barnet Council we had hundreds of redundancies for several years as the Council claimed they were not being funded. Things haven’t changed and we had our first round of redundancies last December due to the current financial crisis.

What is clear is that the voices of our members across the Council across workplaces, be it a school, a depot, care home or day centre need to be heard and LOUDLY.

Barnet Council is lobbying the government for more funding, but there needs to be more pressure than that. We all need to add our voices for more funding

We are asking our members to sign the following Petition to Angela Rayner (who used to be a UNISON rep). This petition is not just for our members but can be signed by members’ family and friends or anyone who wants to see an end to the destruction of public services.

https://chng.it/6DSvxfZqhz

 

end.

 

Message of solidarity to Tower Hamlets strikers on St Lukes school picket line

On behalf of our branch Barnet UNISON sends our unwavering solidarity and support to you and your NEU colleagues as you take strike action on the 1st and 3rd of April.

We stand with you in your fight against the proposed cuts to Teaching Assistant roles, a move that will undoubtedly have a devastating impact on the quality of education and the workload of all staff.

Your determination to defend education and demand reasonable workloads is an inspiration to us all. We recognise the vital role Teaching Assistants play in supporting students and teachers, and we condemn any attempt to diminish their contribution.

We understand the pressures you face and commend your courage in taking this stand. We will be sharing your message of resistance throughout our branch and encouraging our members to send messages of support.

We wish you a strong and successful strike. We are with you in this fight for fair working conditions and the future of education.

End.

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