The union said that councils that bar social workers from speaking out in public fuel suspicion and undermine public confidence. It said social workers are unable to publicise the good work they do or defend themselves against condemnation.
Helga Pile, Unison national officer for social workers, said: "Social workers have nothing to hide. Of course they observe client confidentiality, but they should be allowed to play their part in helping the public understand what they do and the pressures they work under. But they are gagged from doing so by many councils."
She added: "Councils could make a real difference by letting the public see what frontline social workers achieve every day."
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