Welcome to UNISON’s links section. Here you will find a wealth of online resources organised alphabetically by subject with full descriptions of what each site offers.
You can either browse the list in its entirety or jump straight to your preferred section by clicking on one of the links below.
Please note that UNISON is not responsible for the content of external internet sites. The opinions expressed on these websites are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect those of UNISON.
- Black members
- Community and voluntary sector
- Disability
- Economics and public spending
- Education
- Employment
- Energy
- Environment
- Europe
- Government and politics
- Health and safety
- Health care
- Housing
- Human rights and civil liberties
- Industry
- Information resource centres and directories
- International
- Labour link
- Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality
- Libraries
- Lifelong Learning
- Local government
- Nursing
- Pay and conditions
- Police
- Social policy and research
- Social security and welfare reform
- Social services
- Transport
- Unions
- Water
- Women
Labour link
Epolitix
epolitix.com
Regularly updated online political resource
The Labour Party
labour.org.uk
Latest info on policy, campaigning and what other parties are up to. You can see exactly what Labour has done in your area
No 10 Downing Street
number-10.gov.uk
Briefings and latest policy from the heart of government
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality
Broken Rainbow
broken-rainbow.org.uk
Providing a helpline service for victims of domestic violence within the LGBT community.
International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA)
ilga.org
Worldwide federation of national and local groups dedicated to achieving equal rights for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgendered people everywhere
ILGA Europe Region
ilga-europe.org
European Region of the International Lesbian and Gay Association
Improving Policy and Practice for LGBT People: Guidance for Local Authorities
scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/01/24135313/0
Guidance for local authorities policy and practice, following a stocktake of current policy and practice relating to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people at local authority level in Scotlandthat provides a baseline for the policy and practice of local authorities in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity
Lesbian and Gay Coalition Against Racism
naar.org.uk/lagcar/
Lesbian and gay sub-group of the National Assembly Against Racism.
Press for Change
pfc.org.uk
Press for Change is a political lobbying and educational organisation campaigning to achieve equal rights for all transgender people in the UK through legislation and social change
REGARD
regard.dircon.co.uk
Addressing the reality of disabled lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people working within the disability movement
Stonewall
stonewall.org.uk
Creating a political lobby group working towards the advancement of the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of lesbian, gay and bisexual people
UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group
stonewall-immigration.org.uk
Voluntary organisation set up to campaign for immigration rights for same sex couples and asylum seekers
Trades Union Congress LGBT rights pages
tuc.org.uk/equality/index.cfm?mins=21&minors=21
For information on cross-union organising for LGBT workers equality.
UK Gay
uk.gay.com
Offers news and resources for the UK lesbian and gay community. Its daily news feed offers frequently-updated headlines, and the news features report the issues affecting the community. Gay.com also offers newsletters, delivering information direct to your inbox.
UNISON London region lesbian and gay members' group
unison.org.uk/london/out.asp
Information on the Greater London lesbian and gay members group or to join the regional mailing list
UNISON Scotland lesbian and gay website
unison-scotland.org.uk/lesbiangay
News, contacts, annual report and information for Scottish lesbian and gay members.
Libraries
UNISON Library Campaign
unison.org.uk/localgov/library
UNISON represents the majority of the 27,000 of library staff employed as librarians, library assistants and managers in all library authorities in England, Scotland and Wales.
Lifelong learning
Lifelong learning
www.lifelonglearninguk.org
Lifelong Learning UK is responsible for the professional development of all those working in libraries, archives and information services, work-based learning, higher education, further education and community learning and development
Local government
Action for Carers and Employment
acecarers.org.uk
ACE aims to raise awareness of the barriers facing carers who want to work, and to test and promote ways of supporting them
Association for Public Service Excellence
apse.org.uk
The Association is well placed to assist Local Authorities in developing a range of tools to demonstrate they are achieving Best Value
Competitiveness Joint Committee
ipf.co.uk/bestvalue/BVQ/cjc
Comprises representatives of all the local authorities' associations in the UK, and of more than 40 officers' organisations. Covers the disciplines involved in all aspects of Best Value and competition
Department for communities & local government
www.communities.gov.uk
Communities and Local Government sets UK policy on local government, housing, urban regeneration, planning and fire and rescue.
Employers Organisation
lg-employers.gov.uk
Supports local authorities in their human resources role. Provides expert advice and information on people management and development in local government, and leading the formulation of policy on some employer issues
Improvement & Development Agency for Local Government
idea.gov.uk
Established by and for local government, anabling local councils to navigate successfully through the challenges of a fast changing environment, delivering leadership, cultural change and performance improvements
Info4Local
info4local.gov.uk
Provides the first, online, one-stop gateway for local authorities to get quick and easy access to local government-related information published on the websites of central government departments and agencies
Local Government Association
lga.gov.uk
The national voice for local communities, the LGA speaks for nearly 500 local authorities representing over 50 million people and spending £65 billion a year on local services
Local Government Finance
www.local.odpm.gov.uk
Papers and latest documents on many aspects of local authority finance
Local Government Information Unit
lgiu.gov.uk
Works with affiliate councils and unions to provide policy development and support, information, ideas and examples of best practice
Probation Boards' Association
probationboards.co.uk
The national employers' association for the Probation Boards of England and Wales
Skillsmark
skillsmark.co.uk
Skillsmark is the new quality mark for education and training in the Justice sector. They are recognised as an accreditation scheme that provides and endorses programmes and courses
Nursing
UNISON Nursing section
www.unison.org.uk/healthcare/nursing/index.asp
UNISON represent the whole nursing family, including nurses, midwives, health visitors and healthcare assistants. We have the largest network of branch representatives and national and regional officers, who are committed to providing you with workplace and professional support.
Pay and conditions
Carry on Equality
eoc.org.uk/cseng/policyandcampaigns/carry_on.asp
In September 2002, the Equal Opportunities Commission launched a campaign to promote equality at work. Adverts in the style of the Carry On films portray sexual harassment and unequal pay as outdated workplace practices which should have no place in 2002
Centre for Public Services
centre.public.org.uk
Sheffield-based, independent, non-profit organisation committed to the provision of good quality public services by democratically accountable public bodies implementing best practice management, employment and equal opportunities policies
Department of Busines, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
dti.gov.uk
voice for business across Government
Eclipse Publications
irsonline.co.uk/index_pub.htm
Details the many publications produced by IRS/Butterworths, covering subject matter like human resources, employment law, housing and construction, IT, pay and pensions and health. Includes an online shop
Executive PayWatch
aflcio.org/paywatch
US-based online centre for learning about the excessive salaries, bonuses and perks of the CEOs of major corporations
Incomes Data Services (IDS)
incomesdata.co.uk
Independent research organisation producing a wide range of employment-related publications including pay, management, employment law, pensions, human resources, personnel policy and European developments
Labour Research Department
lrd.org.uk
LRD is an independent, trade union based research organisation. Publications include Labour Research, Bargaining Report, Fact Service and LRD Booklets, providing detailed information for supporting negotiations and campaigns
National Minimum Wage Act 1998
http://www.berr.gov.uk/employment/pay/national-minimum-wage/index.html
More information on the National Minimum Wage
Public Services International Research Unit (PSIRU)
psiru.org
Based in the School of Computing and Mathematics, University of Greenwich, London, the PSIRU carries out empirical research into privatisation, public services and globalisation. Includes an extensive database
UK Low Pay Commission
lowpay.gov.uk
The LPC advises the government about the National Minimum Wage and recommends (or otherwise) increases in the current rates of pay
Police
Association of Police Authorities
apa.police.uk
The APA was set up in 1997 to represent police authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, both on the national stage and locally. It influences policy on policing and supports local police authorities in their important role
British Association of Women Police
bawp.org
The Association was founded in 1987 and is the only organisation in the UK to draw members from all ranks of the police service and support staff, both male and female
The European Network of Policewomen
enp.nl
The network aims to promote "Quality through Equality" by working in partnership with colleagues from police organisations in ENP member countries. By doing this they seek to facilitate positive change and improve the working conditions of women police officers ensuring fair treatment
Employers' Organisation for local government
lg-employers.gov.uk/conditions/police/
The EO's role is to help councils achieve the high standards of people management and development needed to ensure the continuous improvement of services.
Independent Police Complaints Commission
ipcc.gov.uk
The organisation that has overall responsibility for the system for complaints against the police. It aims to raise standards, cut delays, increase public confidence and transform the way police forces handle complaints against the police
The International Association of Women Police
iawp.org
The IAWP strives to ensure equity for women in the criminal justice field by utilising, investing and celebrating the individual strengths, talents and skills of its members
National Black Police Association
nationalbpa.com
The BPA actively engages with the community to bridge the gap between groups inside and outside the police service to ensure equality, fairness and justice for all
The Police Foundation
police-foundation.org.uk
Created in 1979 as an independent research charity, the PFÕs programme of work focuses on policing issues of public concern. Their primary aim is to help develop more efficient and effective policing through applied research and development, education and training
Police Oracle
policeoracle.com
This is designed as an information resource for the UK police services and those interested in finding out more about the police generally and perhaps careers within police organisations. Police Oracle is independent of the police services of the UK
Police Reform
policereform.gov.uk
Home Office site dealing with reform of the police service
The Police Skills & Standards Organisation
psso.co.uk
The White Paper 'Police Training: The Way Forward' (May 2000) recognised the need to raise the standards in police training and ensure relevant, profession-long training. The PSSO was recognised as the National Training Organisation for the Police Services of the UK in March 2001
Social policy and research
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
esrc.ac.uk
The UK's leading research funding and training agency addressing economic and social concerns. Provides high quality research on issues of importance to business, the public sector and government
Institute for Public Policy Research
ippr.org.uk
The leading UK independent think tank on the centre left. Offers far-reaching and realistic policy solutions to produce a fairer, more inclusive and more environmentally sustainable world
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
jrf.org.uk
UK's largest independent social research and development charity. Supports a wide programme of research and development projects in housing, social care and social policy
PolicyBrief
policybrief.org
Co-operative web project to provide a 'one-stop-shop' for all public policy initiatives in the UK. Works with leading UK think tanks and independent policy institutes across the political spectrum
Social Exclusion Unit
archive.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/seu/
Government unit working to reduce social exclusion, mainly on specific projects chosen by the Prime Minister following consultation with other Ministers and suggestions from interested groups
Social Science Information Gateway
sosig.ac.uk
Web-based service providing information for students, academics, researchers and practitioners in the social sciences, business and law
Social security and welfare reform
Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion
uuy.org.uk
Information-packed website with coverage of all major social and employment issues including skills, apprenticeships, training, employment strategies and Jobseeker's Allowance
Department for Work and Pensions
dwp.gov.uk
The DWP is responsible for delivering support and advice to people of working age, employers, pensioners, families and children and disabled people
New Deal
newdeal.gov.uk
New Deal is part of the government's Welfare To Work strategy, aiming to increase employment opportunities for all jobseekers and businesses
Social services
Association of Directors of Social Services
adss.org.uk
The ADSS represents all 179 directors of social services in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It initiates and contributes to all areas of social care policy, and is regularly consulted by government ministers, civil servants, voluntary organisations, media and other opinion-formers in the field
Department of Health and Social Services Inspectorate
doh.gov.uk
The Department of Health is the General Social Care Council's sponsoring government department. It has responsibility for matters relating to social care. Contains information about recent developments in social care, press releases and an extensive page of links to other useful social care sites. Includes the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI)
Care Council for Wales
ccwales.org.uk
Care Council for Wales (CCW) is the General Social Care Council's equivalent body in Wales
General Social Care Council links
gscc.org.uk/links.htm
Excellent resource for links to social care websites
National Care Standards Commission
carestandards.org.uk
The NCSC regulates social care and private and voluntary health care in England
Northern Ireland Social Care Council
niscc.info
Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) is the General Social Care Council's equivalent body in Northern Ireland
Reform of Social Work Education
doh.gov.uk/swqualification
This is the Department of Health's website on the upcoming reforms to social work training, of which the General Social Care Council is a key partner. It contains details of timescales, responsibilities and the Requirements for Social Work Degrees
Scottish Social Services Council
ccetsw.org.uk
Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) is the General Social Care Council's equivalent body in Scotland
Social Care Association
socialcareassoc.com
The SCA is the leading voice for all staff groups in the social care service wherever they work
Social Care Institute for Excellence
scie.org.uk
Established by the Department of Health and the National Assembly for Wales, as part of the government's Quality Strategy for Social Care. Creates and disseminates best practice guidelines in social care
Social Work Admissions System/University and College Admissions Service
ucas.co.uk
Applications for social work courses are made through SWAS, a part of UCAS. The UCAS website contains lists of all the courses offered in any further or higher education establishment in the UK, including social work, and you can search by type of course, region or by individual university
Social Work recruitment campaign
socialworkcareers.co.uk
This Department of Health site brings together all the information you need on a career in social work or social care
Topss England
topss.org.uk
Topss is the former National Training Organisation for Social Care, currently negotiating to be re-licensed as a Sector Skills Council. Topss is responsible for the promotion and development of the social care sector's National Occupational Standards
Transport
Commission for Integrated Transport
cfit.gov.uk
The CfIT provides independent advice to Government on the implementation of integrated transport policy and monitors developments across transport, environment, health and other sectors
Unions
American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)
aflcio.org
Voluntary federation of America's unions, representing more than 13 million working women and men nationwide
Calderdale Trades Union Council
calderdaletuc.org.uk
The Calderdale Trades Union Council represents the trades union branches in the Calderdale metropolitan council district of West Yorkshire (UK). It provides a range of services to the local trade union and labour movement.
European Trade Union Institute
etuc.org/ETUI
Forms a bridge between trade union movement and academic world and keeps trade union organisations informed about various European matters affecting trade union policy and its implementation
Global Unions
global-unions.org
Website jointly owned and managed by a number of international trade union organisations. Gives its members the ability to draw the attention of their partners, their members, and the press to the news they produce and the campaigns they run.
LabourNet UK
labournet.net
Promotes computer communications as a medium for strengthening and building organised labour. Provides communications, news and information for the labour movement
LabourStart
labourstart.org
Service provided by Labour and Society International for the international trade union movement. Good updated database of union-related news links
Modern Records Centre
warwick.ac.uk/services/library/mrc
University of Warwick collection of original sources for British political, social and economic history, with particular reference to labour history, industrial relations and industrial politics
North West Labour History Group
wcml.org.uk/nwlhg/home.html
Promotes and popularises the knowledge and study of labour history in this region. Produces journals, organises conferences and promotes labour history
Public Services International
world-psi.org
International trade union federation uniting public sector workers in more than 600 trade unions in over 140 countries. Twenty million women and men in a variety of public service jobs are members of PSI
Trade Union Congress
tuc.org.uk
With more than 70 member unions representing nearly seven million working people from all walks of life, the TUC campaigns for a fair deal at work and for social justice at home and abroad
Working Class Movement Library
wcml.org.uk
Collection of English language books, periodicals, pamphlets, archives and artefacts, concerned with the activities, expression and enquiries of the labour movement, its allies and its enemies, since the late eighteenth century
Water
Office of Water Services (Ofwat)
ofwat.gov.uk
Government regulator of the water industry. Responsible for making sure water and sewerage companies in England and Wales give good-quality, efficient service at a fair price
Water UK
water.org.uk
Represents all UK water suppliers and waste water operators at a national and European level. Provides frameworks for the water industry to engage with government, regulators, stakeholder organisations and the public
Women
Abortion Rights
abortionrights.org.uk
The national pro-choice campaign. Abortion Rights is a campaigning organisation formed by the merger of the National Abortion Campaign (NAC) and the Abortion Law Reform Association (ALRA). Both these organisations have a long history in campaigning for law reform and the provision of easily accessible, woman friendly, NHS funded abortion services
Daycare Trust
daycaretrust.org.uk
Daycare Trust is the national childcare charity. It has been working since 1980 to promote high quality affordable childcare for all
Equal Opportunities Commission
eoc.org.uk
Leading agency working to eliminate sex discrimination in Britain. Campaigns, among other things, to close the pay gap between women and men, increase the number of women in public life and end sexual harassment at work
Ovarian Cancer Action
ovarian.org.uk
Ovarian Cancer Action is taking to steps to improve the survival of women with ovarian cancer, by raising awareness of symptoms and risk factors, funding research and giving women a voice
Vote for Choice
vfc.org.uk
A national campaign by the Pro-Choice Alliance, a coalition of organisations calling for long overdue reform of the 1967 Abortion Act. The campaign seeks to end the widespread discrimination and inequalities of access that occur in the NHS abortion provision, and to secure for all women in the UK the genuine right to decide for themselves whether or not to continue an unwanted pregnancy
Women's Aid Federation of England
womensaid.org.uk
National charity working to end domestic violence against women and children. Advocates for abused women and children and to ensure their safety by working locally and nationally
Women's Environmental Network
wen.org.uk
The WEN campaigns on environmental and health issues from women's perspective
The Women & Equality Unit
womenandequalityunit.gov.uk
Supports ministers for women in delivering practical improvements to women's lives that benefit society as a whole. Priorities include delivery of health and education services, closing the pay gap and encouraging more women to take up public appointments
