What is Social Value
In Salford we want to achieve a consistent approach to the application of Social Value across the city. Salford’s 10% Better Campaign sets out to provide a single, shared approach and policy for Social Value. There is a commitment from the signatories that Social Value will be central to service, regardless of whom the provider is. This means that there is a real and tangible commitment to ensuring that expenditure across public, private, and voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors, generates the maximum Social Value across the city.
Social Value asks the question: “If £1 is spent on the delivery of services, can that same £1 be used to also produce a wider benefit to the community?”. This involves looking beyond the price of each individual contract and instead looking at the collective benefit to a community.
Social Value can demonstrate social, economic or environmental benefit. The examples of Salford’s 10% Better Social Value Indicators – provided in the ‘Download’ area- are grounded in Salford City Mayor Priorities , which is the ‘blueprint’ for making Salford a better and fairer place for everyone to live.
The Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 (more commonly referred to as the Social Value Act) came into force in April 2013. The Act requires “public authorities to have regard to economic, social and environmental well-being in connection with public services contracts; and for connected purposes”. It applies to all English and some Welsh public bodies, including the NHS, local authorities, other government departments, housing associations and emergency services. The Act is applicable to all public service contracts over the EU threshold of £164,176 (or £106,047 for central government departments) – as of 1st January 2016 . It is intended to build upon and complement existing UK and EU procurement policy and legislation, including Best Value Duty, Open Public Services and the EU modernising procurement agenda. More information about how this legislation impacts on procurement can be found here
No. Although the Social Value Act is an important step in the right direction, Social Value can be considered in a range of circumstances not covered by legislation.
Commissioners and procurers may wish to consider Social Value in public service contracts under the EU threshold.
Organisations could also consider Social Value as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, for example by offering apprenticeships to local people or sourcing their office supplies locally. In addition, employers can actively consider how they can encourage diversity in the workplace for people from vulnerable/disadvantaged backgrounds ( i.e. disabled people, ethnic minorities, lesbian, gay, bi and transgender people etc) by reviewing their recruitment practises and making them more inclusive. For example, for disabled people offering applications in larger print formats , offering face-to face/Skype interview and mentioning the accessibility of buildings in job applications/details.
In this way, Social Value can maximise wellbeing, place and financial benefits.