The organisation representing Scotland’s independent social care providers is calling on  political leaders to commit to delivering the “decisive action, bold investment and ethical commissioning” for the sector, its people and those it supports, to thrive.

The Scottish Care manifesto, Care Creates…, identifies six opportunities for the sector – setting out the benefits of realising each.

The six are:

• rights at the heart of social care support;
• fair pay, fair work, fair care;
• integration;
• future‑ready care;
• investing in care like it matters; and
• care that cares for the people and planet.

For each, the manifesto for the 2026 Holyrood election explains the opportunity and what turning that opportunity into reality would mean for communities and individuals – followed by a series of actions that the next Scottish government and parliament will need to take.

Scottish Care Deputy CEO, Karen Hedge, says Care Creates… represents an invitation from the sector to Scotland to view adult social care support through “a lens of opportunity” and to follow a positive and hopeful roadmap:

“Care Creates… is more than a slogan. It’s a practical plan for a Scotland where dignity, independence and community are real for everyone.

“We’re asking all parties to put social care at the heart of this election, because everyone depends on it at some point in their lives.

“If the next parliament delivers rights‑based budgeting, ethical commissioning and fair pay for a skilled workforce, we can move from firefighting to building an infrastructure of care that is valued, visible, viable and visionary.”

Scottish Care’s CEO Donald Macaskill has consistently argued that social care should not be seen as a cost or drain on public finances but a driver and net contributor to the economy, suggesting at the organisations national Homecare Conference in the summer that future governments should include social care in their economic strategies.

In its manifesto, Scottish Care quotes Scottish Social Services Council research showing that for every £1 invested in social care, £2.35 in socioeconomic benefits are generated – meaning that closing the current £320m funding gap for the commissioning and procurement of social care support would realise £752m of socioeconomic benefit into Scotland.

Care Creates… includes a total of 46 actions that will both address immediate needs and create a sustainable future sector for people and the planet.

“Investing in care is a dividend for Scotland: stronger local economies, skilled jobs, reduced pressure on the NHS, and better lives,” says Karen Hedge.

“Our proposals are ready to be taken forward now, from integrating services to future‑ready, digital‑empowered care and climate‑conscious practice.

“We’re inviting all parties to work with us to turn these commitments into action through clear standards, ring‑fenced investment, transparent commissioning and measurable outcomes.

“Backing social care is how Scotland builds a fairer, healthier future; it’s how we move beyond headline crises and deliver the everyday support that allows people and communities to thrive.”

Read more about Scottish Care: The case for a Highland weighting; Beyond the edge: why care homes are in crisis; New visa rules could wipe out entire care teams; ‘The time for a care revolution is now’

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