Why Social Value Has Become the Heart of UK Public Sector Tenders – and How to Master It
In the evolving world of UK public sector procurement, Social Value is no longer a supporting actor — it’s the lead character. If your organisation is bidding for government, NHS, or local authority contracts in 2025, your Social Value Statement could be the difference between winning and losing.
💡 What Is Social Value – and Why Does It Matter?
Social value refers to the positive, measurable impact an organisation has on the local community, economy, and environment through its operations and services. It includes:
- Job creation and apprenticeships for disadvantaged groups
- Reducing environmental impact
- Supporting local suppliers
- Volunteering, donations, and community engagement
- Promoting diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity
Under the UK Social Value Model (PPN 06/20), a minimum of 10% of the total tender score must now reflect social value contributions. In some tenders, this can go as high as 20%.
So if your technical bid is strong but your Social Value is vague, you’re likely leaving marks on the table.
🔍 What Makes a Great Social Value Statement?
A powerful Social Value Statement is:
- Evidence-Based – Shows actual or planned outcomes with KPIs
- Aligned – Links directly with the buyer’s strategic priorities
- Locally-Focused – Tailored to the community or region where services are delivered
- Inclusive – Demonstrates how your organisation promotes equity and opportunity
- Measurable – Includes plans for tracking, reporting, and improving impact
✅ Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Vague or generic commitments (e.g. “We will reduce our carbon footprint”)
❌ Copy-pasting from previous tenders
❌ No local or regional focus
❌ No clear delivery plan or metrics
❌ Overpromising without a sustainability model
At Enounce, we regularly audit and enhance Social Value Statements to ensure they meet today’s high standards — and tomorrow’s expectations.
🛠️ How We Help You Master Social Value
Our bid and social value consultants:
- Work with you to identify your unique social strengths
- Develop structured, score-winning content tailored to each bid
- Align statements with national and local procurement strategies
- Create impact metrics and reporting frameworks
- Build social value into your core delivery model — not just the bid
We also ensure your Social Value aligns with your other documents, policies, and pricing — a key area where many bidders fall short.
🤖 A Future-Forward Edge
With AI and automation shaping how contracts are evaluated, your statements must be more structured, SEO-optimised, and digitally audit-friendly. That’s where innovative support platforms like TekSof come in — offering intelligent systems for tracking performance, impact, and compliance across contracts.
💬 Final Thought: Bids That Give Back – Win Big
Buyers want suppliers who do more than deliver — they want partners who create value for people and planet.
Crafting a strong Social Value Statement isn’t just a bidding requirement — it’s a strategic opportunity to show who you really are as a business.
🔗 Ready to boost your next bid with powerful social value? Start with us: https://enounce.co.uk 📱 WhatsApp: +44 20 3098 0086
