Casework support
Casework Coordinators: Mohan Sridharan and Kathryn Nash
If you require individual assistance from UCU Edinburgh, please complete the casework request form. Please read the guidance below before filling out the form.
Casework request form
If you are a UCU member facing individual problems as work, fellow members of UCUE could support you. Caseworkers are trained and receive support from the Branch Casework Coordinators and the UCU Scotland Caseworker. This page explains what you can expect from casework.
What can a caseworker do to support me?
If you are facing an individual problem at work, casework can help you address it. Below is some basic information on what caseworkers can do to support you as well as some things that they can’t do. If the issue you are raising impacts several people in your area, this is likely not an issue that would be well-suited to be addressed by casework (instead, you should see your Local Contact to take this to local management).
What your caseworker CAN do:
Talk through the issues you are facing.
Help you think about potential next steps.
Accompany you to meetings with HR or management.
Help you understand University policy and procedures.
What your caseworker CAN’T do:
Fill out or submit forms, or write emails or documents on your behalf.
Make decisions on how to proceed.
Respond immediately or be available all the time.
Give you their personal contact information. You’ll need to speak to your caseworker via email, Teams, or other internet call services.
How do I receive casework support?
Please fill out the proforma via the link above. We’ll ask for information on the issue you are facing along with your UCU membership information. Casework Coordinators will be in touch when a caseworker is available or to schedule a preliminary discussion.
If you are not a member or have just joined, you will not be eligible for full casework support and are not eligible to apply for legal assistance. Entitlement to full casework support requires that you have been a member for at least 90 days prior to your issue starting. However, the local casework team will try, where capacity allows, to offer a one-off meeting to discuss your issue and offer advice and support.
Preparing to meet your caseworker
In advance of meeting your caseworker, please review the relevant HR policy (see foot of page). This will help you determine whether there may be grounds for pursuing an issue. The ACAS helpline and ACAS advice (see ‘other resources’, below) are additional sources of information on your rights at work.
If you’re asked to attend a meeting prior to a caseworker being assigned, you have the right to ask that it be postponed until a caseworker is available, or you can bring a trusted colleague as a companion.
How can I contact the casework team?
You can reach the Casework Coordinators at ucucase@ed.ac.uk. Please note that the Casework Coordinators are also members of staff, so this inbox is not monitored constantly. We will endeavour to respond within 3 working days.
Does UCU offer legal advice?
Legal support is arranged through UCU Head Office and not by caseworkers. You will have to have been a member for at least 90 days before your issue began in order to qualify for legal support.
Who has access to my data if I submit a proforma?
This data is restricted to the Branch Administrator and Casework Coordinators as well as your individual caseworker. The branch maintains records for the current and prior academic years. After that your proforma and any emails pertaining to it in the branch casework inbox will be deleted. Individual caseworkers have been advised to maintain data in a password-protected email account and device for three years.
Are there other resources I can access now?
Yes, please see the resources below compiled by UCU Scotland and the UCUE casework team.
Education Support Partnership (support services for education professionals): complements the work of the union, offering members free information and advice, 24-hour telephone counselling, online coaching, and financial assistance.
Fixed-term staff: UCU - Successive fixed term contracts and permanency
ACAS: a useful webpage with advice on issues around terms and conditions, grievances and redundancies
Pensions advice: State Pension - GOV.UK
Employment contracts: UCU - Contract issues
Information about UCU's Legal Scheme: UCU - UCU legal support Please note that the vast majority of cases will not have to be referred to the legal scheme, and will be dealt with locally. To make a referral, a local caseworker has to be involved, so please do not contact the legal scheme before you hear back from us!
University of Edinburgh policies and procedures can found at the Human Resources web pages: University of Edinburgh Human Resources: A to Z of HR policies.