Many of the 1,400 stakeholders we welcomed at the 2023 Social Value Conference had already achieved amazing things with their Social Value programmes. But many others were beginners and had come to find out: ‘How do I get started in Social Value?’
In one of the event’s key sessions, ‘Building the Foundations: Social Value 101’, this question was addressed by a panel of experts:
Read on for a breakdown of their key insights, along with tips to help you begin your Social Value journey.
What is Social Value and how can you measure it?
An important starting place in your Social Value journey is to make sure you understand the concept itself. Nikki Rowbottom explained that Social Value can be defined simply as your impact on the world around you:
Social Value could be your reusable cup, your bag for life, the apprenticeships you support, the recycling you do – all of that is Social Value.
Nikki Rowbottom, Senior Consultant, Seven Steps Solutions
She also gave a quick history lesson on Social Value’s legislative background, including:
- The 2012 Public Services (Social Value) Act, which mandated ‘consideration’ of Social Value in public sector tenders
- Policy Procurement Note 06/20, which introduced mandatory minimum 10% weighting for Social Value in contracts
- The Procurement Act 2023, which consolidates and simplifies UK procurement regulations under a single rule book.
The UK Government’s Social Value Model has introduced a consistent standard that central government and other in-scope organisations must adhere to. Nikki pointed to the Social Value TOM System™ as a framework that connects with the Social Value Model, while additionally giving users a way to quantify their Social Value:
The Social Value TOM System is the same as the public sector model – it just takes it one step further. You've got a quantitative approach as well as the qualitative approach.
Nikki Rowbottom, Senior Consultant, Seven Steps Solutions
Learn more with our Quick Guide to Social Value Legislation
Social Value: A tool for change
With so many potential avenues for delivering Social Value, organisations have an opportunity to make a difference fast. However, Sarah Lambshead stressed the need to educate your stakeholders on the business case for Social Value first:
Social Value is a strategic tool for change. What that change is can be up to you – not just you as an individual, but as an organisation.
Sarah Lambshead, Associate Director, AtkinsRéalis, former Strategic Social Value Lead, Faithful and Gould
When integrating Social Value into your business strategy, think about what your organisation does well. Understanding what makes your organisation tick and its values will make your journey easier and more productive.
Sarah also echoed a sentiment that we heard often during the conference – the importance of transparency and honesty at the start of your journey:
Nobody is expecting you to have a Social Value magic wand. Talk about it authentically and just get started.
Sarah Lambshead, Associate Director, AtkinsRéalis, former Strategic Social Value Lead, Faithful and Gould
How Waltham Forest accelerated its Social Value journey
As winner of the 2023 Social Value Conference’s Social Innovation in Public Sector Projects Award, The London Borough of Waltham Forest exemplifies the fast progress dedicated organisations can make.
Joanna Dahlgren provided an overview of the borough’s recent Social Value activity, which - among many other accomplishments - has included:
- Establishing a dedicated Social Value function
- Completing a Social Value maturity index exercise with Social Value Portal
- Bringing community benefits reporting together under a total return on investment framework
This transformation is reflected in Waltham Forest’s reported Social Value.
In 2019, Waltham Forest tracked only £42,000 worth of Social Value across its supply chain. However, the organisation measured £7.7 million the following year, and by the end of 2022, an incredible £29 million.
So, what enabled this success?
Firstly, Waltham Forest has embedded Social Value across its operations, from procurement to design to contract execution. Waltham Forest's CEO is also a champion of Social Value, feeding a culture of collaboration between commissioning, procurement, financial planning, and economic development.
Secondly, Joanna credited close collaboration and early engagement with suppliers, which has generated bespoke, hyperlocal initiatives focused on real community needs. This means the programme is improving real lives behind the numbers.
Yes, it's great to deliver £29 million worth of Social Value. But what’s important is the impact on the local community, for the environment, and for our residents.
Joanna Dahlgren, Head of Social Value, London Borough of Waltham Forest
Learn more about the enablers of a strong Social Value journey with our Social Value Success Factors Toolkit.
Why Social Value matters to your whole organisation
Social Value isn’t just a priority for procurement and contract management teams - it has big implications for various functions across an organisation. All of these teams can help you in the early stages of your Social Value journey.
Sol Tannir discussed the critical importance of gaining buy-in across an organisation:
Think about your HR team, your finance team, all the teams with data that can help you measure Social Value – it's important that you're bringing them with you on this journey.
Sol Tannir, Strategic Account Manager, Social Value Portal
This requires you to help other teams understand the important role that they play as evidence holders. With that alignment in place, you will be better placed to share the overall responsibility for Social Value.
There may also be other internal stakeholders to whom Social Value information is valuable. Sales and marketing, for instance, can leverage this data to enhance your organisation’s proposition.
Being in touch with these key stakeholders will help you to understand your biggest areas of opportunity. You can then leverage this information when working with a framework like the Social Value TOM System, with which you can choose the right avenues for your Social Value programme.
The TOM System allows you to think about specific Outcomes and Measures and how you can deliver against them. This then enables you to act on the basis of your existing strengths, what you can deliver, and how you will quantify your Social Value.
Sol Tannir, Strategic Account Manager, Social Value Portal
Sol shared some valuable advice on getting started with Social Value - one being the need for a feedback loop to refine your Social Value activities.
This is important for everyone. Buyers should be giving guidance to bidders and suppliers, while suppliers should be feeding back to their clients to let them know what is working well and where they are having challenges.
As Sol noted, the work you do on to improve your Social Value will go a long way to materially benefiting people, place, and planet:
While there are challenges and things can get hard, it’s important to remember that you are making real impact in people's lives. Keep this in mind, and it will help to smooth over some of the bumps in the road.
Sol Tannir, Strategic Account Manager, Social Value Portal
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