Adult social care reform should be prioritised on the agendas of all political parties, the National Care Forum (NCF) has said.
It said it wanted improved pay, terms and conditions for the workforce and an economic growth strategy for the sector.
A national care covenant should set out the rights and responsibilities of citizens, families, communities and the state, the NCF also said.
The chair of its board, Andy Cole, said: ‘Social care is still often the poor relation of the NHS, so moving it to the top of the agenda is essential.
‘In the not-for-profit care sector we focus on people, not profit, and it is high time our amazing workforce is properly recognised and valued.’
