The Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 (‘Act’) came into force in January 2013 and yet despite the time that has passed since its implementation the uptake has been relatively patchy and slow.

In many ways this is not surprising given the financial challenges that local government has been set over the past two years,  alongside the weak language of the Act itself (as noted by Lord Young) that requires public sector bodies to only ‘consider’’ social value within their commissioning and procurement processes. And yet, there are those within the public sector that have embraced the Act as if ‘manna from heaven’ stating that it is a revolutionary piece of legislation that has “the potential to transform the public sector”.

So why this difference of opinion and why are so many councils still only seeing obstacles where others see big opportunities?

There are a number of reasons being raised by local authorities including:

• lack of guidance
• concerns about additional project costs
• availability of resources

 

However, central to this is a recognition that the very strength of the Act in its lack of specificity has also been its greatest weakness and that there is a need for practical guidance and real time examples showing how to apply the Act and what the real benefits are.

The purpose of this initiative, therefore, is to bridge this gap in our collective knowledge by providing a tool and support that may be used by all public sector organisations and their suppliers to assess where they are, help them decide where they want to get to and provide some guidance and tips on how to get there.

The Social Value Taskforce Maturity Index is a method for determining where you are on the journey compared to your peers, and to understand what steps you need to take next.

Take the quick online test below for a rough idea of where you stand, or download the Spreadsheet tool for a more detailed look at the different stages, and how to reach your Social Value goals.

n.b. your responses will remain confidential, though may be published in aggregate.

Are you a Follower, Mature, Leader or Innovator?

Where do you stand?

The Best Practice Social Value Task Force was founded in February 2016 in order to establish a good practice framework for the integration of the Public Services (Social Value Act) 2012 (‘Act’) into our public sector and business.

It is an open network and welcomes any organisation that wishes to get involved and who wants to help build our collective knowledge of how we can support our communities by working together through the effective implementation of the Act.

The Best Practice Social Value Task Force

•    Chris White MP, Member of Parliament for Warwick and Leamington – Task Force Sponsor
•    Guy Battle, CEO, The Social Value Portal – Task Force Founder
•    Terry Brewer, Divisional Director of Procurement, Harrow Council – Chair

Task Force Participants and Contributors:

•    Alison Symmers, Head Willmott Dixon Foundation
•    Cindy Nadesan, Procurement Improvement Officer, Surrey County Council
•    Dave Sweeney, Director of Transformation & Deputy Chief Officer, NHS Halton CCG & LA
•    Elaine Roberts-Smith, Category Manager, Halton Borough Council
•    Guy Head, Local Government Association
•    Haydn Brown, Head of Procurement Strategy and Development, Birmingham City Council
•    Dr. Isobel Beetham-Holman, Policy Adviser, The Cabinet Office
•    Liz Holford, Director, Supply Chain Future
•    Liz Welton, Assistant Director of Procurement, Coventry City Council
•    Loraine Cox, Head of Procurement, Halton Borough Council
•    Nicole Fletcher, Head of Sustainable Development, London Fire Brigade
•    Peter Schofield, AGMA Procurement Hub Programme Manager
•    Tina Holland, Programme Manager – Procurement, Local Government Association

Interested in continuing the conversation? Register on our Forum and get involved!