Introduction to Social Value | Provider Hub

What is Social Value?

Social value is defined through the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 which came into force in January 2013 and requires all public sector organisations (and their suppliers) to look beyond the financial cost of a contract and consider how the services they commission and procure might improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of an area. (Local Government Association)

Public authorities consider the wider financial and nonfinancial value created by an organisation through its day-to-day activities in the delivery of their contracts and express it in terms of the wellbeing generated for individuals, communities, the economy and the environment.

Essex County Council (ECC) wishes to collaboratively work on social value with our suppliers, partners, and the community to benefit Essex.

We are providing links to external resources to aid general knowledge development only; these links do not imply endorsement of particular products, services or organisations. When bidding for ECC contracts always read the tender documents provided and follow the instructions carefully. Our aim is to promote understanding of social value.

Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012: details of the legislation underpinning the ECC Social Value approach.

TOMs: measuring social value in local government procurement. Video by The Local Government Association.

Lord's Library Briefing on Social Value in Public Procurement and Government's Civil Society Strategy: this document provides useful background information about the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012.

Local Government Association briefing on the Lord's debate on social value

The Social Value Principles: Social Value International and Social Value UK outline some useful guiding principles for social value creation and assessment including this Social Value Principles Introduction video .

The Social Value Maturity Index (Excel, 245KB): developed by the Local Government Association's National Social Value Taskforce, this is a tool you can use to assess your preparedness for Social Value and plan next steps. The guide Bridging the Gap: Improving Communities with the Social Value Maturity Index (PDF, 652KB) introduces the Social Value Act, the Maturity Index tool and respective performance levels.

Bridging the Gap: a Good Practice Guide for Making the Most of the Social Value Act (PDF, 855KB): Case studies from application of the Social Value Maturity Index.

If you have any questions about ECC social value approach or if you need information on this website in a different format, please email social.value@essex.gov.uk . We’d appreciate your feedback too, let us know how we can make this web page better.