Social Value Writing Services

Social value refers to the additional benefits that a project or contract can deliver to the community beyond the primary economic outcomes. This includes social, economic, and environmental impacts that enhance community well-being.

Incorporating social value into your bids can significantly improve your chances of success, as many public sector contracts now evaluate social value as a key component of the tendering process. Demonstrating a commitment to social value can differentiate your proposal from competitors.

Social value can be measured using various frameworks, such as the National TOMs (Themes, Outcomes, Measures) framework, which provides standardised metrics for evaluating social value commitments based on specific themes relevant to the contract.

Yes! We offer tailored training programs that equip your team with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively write and present social value bids, ensuring they align with procurement requirements and buyer priorities.

Our service encompasses everything from initial consultations and research to drafting compelling proposals and providing final submission support, ensuring that your social value commitments are clear, measurable, and impactful.

It’s crucial to base your commitments on existing capabilities while also identifying opportunities for additionality—what you will do differently or additionally because of winning the contract. We assist in developing a realistic action plan that outlines how you will deliver on these commitments.

While Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) refers to an organisation’s broader voluntary commitments to ethical practices, sustainability, and community engagement, social value is specifically about the tangible benefits delivered through a contract.

• CSR: General company-wide initiatives, often self-directed. Example: company charity donations, staff volunteering days.

• Social Value: Bid-specific, measurable commitments tied to outcomes for the community, environment, and economy. Example: hiring local apprentices, reducing carbon emissions during a contract, or supporting local SMEs in the supply chain.
  Put simply: CSR is about your organisation’s philosophy, while social value is about proving measurable impact in procurement bids.

Social value typically carries a minimum weighting of 10% in central government procurement, as set out in the UK government’s Procurement Policy Note (PPN 06/20). However, this can vary depending on the contracting authority and sector. Some local authorities and NHS frameworks apply higher weightings of 15–20% or more, especially in areas such as health, social care, and community-focused services. This means that social value can often be the deciding factor between otherwise closely scored bids.

SMEs can absolutely compete — and even excel — in social value delivery by focusing on local, tailored, and realistic commitments rather than large-scale promises. Key strategies include:

• Leverage local knowledge: Highlight how your business is embedded in the local community and can deliver targeted benefits.

• Partnerships: Collaborate with local charities, training providers, or other SMEs to demonstrate a joined-up approach.

• Practical, measurable actions: Even small-scale commitments, such as local hiring or supporting community initiatives, can score highly if they’re well evidenced.

• Agility: SMEs can often be more flexible and innovative in their approach to social value, which evaluators value highly.

By aligning commitments with buyer priorities and ensuring they are specific, achievable, and measurable, SMEs can compete effectively against larger organisations.