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
Guide
Success Stories: Social Value in Real Estate
Find out how we are helping our real estate members measure and enhance their Social Value.
Insight
Made in Hackney: A plant-based, community-driven approach to food access
Operating at the intersection of food insecurity, health, climate change, and community cohesion, Made in Hackney has built a unique model for delivering Social Value.
Insight
Build your Social Value foundations: Expert tips on getting started
At the 2023 Social Value conference, a panel of experts answered the all-important question: Where do you start with Social Value?
Insight
Six things I’ve learned about measuring corporate social value
Responsible businesses have a fantastic opportunity to help both local communities and society as a whole. Emily Binning, WSP's Director of Corporate ESG, shares her insights and what lessons other private sector organisations can learn to maximise their delivery of social value.