National TOMs in higher education
Universities and procurers across the UK are taking steps to do more good. Whether a Vice Chancellor or an undergraduate, the impact that higher education institutions make on their communities is important to everyone.
Understanding social value
Social value is about doing more good. We all recognise that the decisions we make, as individuals or institutions, make their mark on our communities, and we call this effect social value.
We have created a system that measures social value. It’s underpinned by the tried-and-tested National TOMs – Themes, Outcomes, and Measures – framework, which includes a comprehensive list of core measures relevant to all businesses. Then, working with experts and industry leaders through the National Social Value Taskforce, we added additional criteria tailored to meet the specific needs of higher education institutions.
Social value is about doing more good. We all recognise that the decisions we make, as individuals or institutions, make their mark on our communities, and we call this effect social value.
We have created a system that measures social value. It’s underpinned by the tried-and-tested National TOMs – Themes, Outcomes, and Measures – framework, which includes a comprehensive list of core measures relevant to all businesses. Then, working with experts and industry leaders through the National Social Value Taskforce, we added additional criteria tailored to meet the specific needs of higher education institutions.
How it's tailored to higher education
We collaborated with a number of universities and procurement consortia in the higher education sector through the UK Universities Purchasing Consortia. Having seen the effect of adopting the National TOMs in procurement elsewhere, particularly in the local authority sector, we supported a taskforce, who sought to see how this approach could be adapted for the higher education sector.
Using the National TOMs framework, social value can be tracked and measured consistently and reported transparently to stakeholders, proving the good you do.
We collaborated with a number of universities and procurement consortia in the higher education sector through the UK Universities Purchasing Consortia. Having seen the effect of adopting the National TOMs in procurement elsewhere, particularly in the local authority sector, we supported a taskforce, who sought to see how this approach could be adapted for the higher education sector.
Using the National TOMs framework, social value can be tracked and measured consistently and reported transparently to stakeholders, proving the good you do.
Supporting communities around higher education institutions
Stay flexible
There are many different ways to measure social value. Your organisation can select the measures that suit your institutional goals and priorities.
There are many different ways to measure social value. Your organisation can select the measures that suit your institutional goals and priorities.
Data you can trust
We’ve a well established methodology, backed up by hard metrics. This means you can account for, and measure, each choice and its ultimate impact. We’ve tailored the National TOMs to the higher education sector, so that you can be confident that the metrics and measures you’re using can be trusted.
We’ve a well established methodology, backed up by hard metrics. This means you can account for, and measure, each choice and its ultimate impact. We’ve tailored the National TOMs to the higher education sector, so that you can be confident that the metrics and measures you’re using can be trusted.
Download our guidance
Want to know more about the Higher Education TOMs? We’ve put together a comprehensive document telling you all you need to know.
Want to know more about the Higher Education TOMs? We’ve put together a comprehensive document telling you all you need to know.
UK Universities Purchasing Consortia
UKUPC is a partnership between eight UK consortia who created a formal entity to support collaborative procurement within Higher and Further Education. All eight consortia work together to share knowledge and best practice, to support each other and our wider procurement community.
Guy Battle speaks at NWUPC procurement event
Guy Battle speaks at the North Western Universities Purchasing focused on how the government’s social value policies can be applied to the higher education sector and how they can deliver more value for all of their stakeholders.
University of Manchester's procurement
Read how the University of Manchester maximises its social value by helping to organise its spending practices and procurement processes in a more sustainable and creative way.
Insights on social value
Insight
Unlocking the power of radical collaboration: What is 'place-based' social value?
Guy Battle discusses the key steps to delivering a place-based social value strategy while looking at the efforts of the Durham County Council.
Insight
Social Value Portal’s James Havey wins Emerging Leader for Justice award
Earlier this year, Procurement Executive James Havey, won the Moira Erin O’Donnell Emerging Leader for Justice Award. Hear his story.
Case Study
Member story: Cardiff Council
Cardiff Council has long been recognised for its commitment and leadership in prioritising social responsibility. Read how they have used the National TOMs to measure and track social value on one of their major projects.
News
Social Value Portal selected to join innovative ESG Impact program
Social Value Portal has been selected as one of 12 innovation companies to participate in Taronga Ventures’ ESG Impact program.