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Check out the range of funded courses, from apprenticeships to fast-track management courses. Financial support is also available to care providers to reduce barriers to work and learning.

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Small Businesses, Social Enterprises and Voluntary Organisations

Many small and medium-sized businesses, social enterprises and community and voluntary organisations already generate additional social value to their local communities. Knowing where to start on social value can often seem like a challenge. In this section you will find guidance developed for these specific sectors.

If you are new to Essex County Council procurement, visit the Supply the Council web page and find our procurement opportunities.

The guidance below can help you understand the particularities of tendering processes with public sector and ways of getting the most from Social Value.

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.

Essex County Council offers fully-funded business support services to grow your business, check the opportunities at Backing Essex Business

Businesses can access workspace at the following innovation hubs which are supported by the council:

  • ARISE (Anglia Ruskin Innovation Centre for Science and Engineering) in Chelmsford and Harlow Science Park
  • ICKG (University of Essex Innovation Centre Knowledge Gateway) in Colchester

Visit the Council Support for Business web page to explore the wide range of services the council can offer you, see some examples below:

  • Growth and funding opportunities
  • Information and advice
  • Training and apprenticeships
  • Apprenticeships Levy Transfer
  • Venue hire
  • Knowledge transfer partnerships
  • Disclosure and Barring Service

Visit the catalogue section Exploring the Social Value Themes and Outcomes and find further guidance on ECC Social Value Measures and examples of social value practices delivered by small businesses in Essex.

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.

Last updated: 16/09/2022