Social Value Policy Template
Social Value Policy Template (UK)
Approx. 3 pages · 7 sectionsBranded PDF + editable WordLast reviewed:
What is a social value policy and who needs one?
A social value policy sets out the wider economic, social and environmental benefits your organisation commits to deliver through its contracts, such as local jobs, skills and supply-chain opportunities, and how you measure them. It supports the social value questions central government must weight in tenders under PPN 002.
Social value is a weighted evaluation criterion in many UK central-government tenders. This policy explains how your organisation creates social value, e.g. local employment, skills, supply-chain inclusion and community benefit.
Why buyers ask for this
Central government buyers must give social value at least 10% of the evaluation score under PPN 002, and wider public bodies must consider it under the Social Value Act. A clear policy gives you a strong base for these scored questions.
Who needs it
Suppliers bidding for public contracts where social value is evaluated, commonly central-government and local-authority tenders.
Where it comes up in a PQQ, SQ or PSQ
Under the Procurement Act 2023, supplier selection uses the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) plus each buyer's own conditions of participation and quality questions. Typical questions this policy supports:
- Scored social value award criteria (minimum 10% weighting for in-scope central government procurements under PPN 002)
- "Describe the social value commitments you will deliver on this contract and how you will measure them"
- Requests for social value KPIs and reporting arrangements during contract management
- – Supports responses aligned with the Social Value Model
- – Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012
What's inside
The full social value policy runs to about 3 pages (including the branded cover and document control page) across 7 sections:
- Purpose
- Scope
- Our social value themes
- Commitments on contracts
- Measurement and reporting
- Responsibilities
- Review
Key points covered
- Your social value commitment
- Themes (e.g. jobs and skills, community, environment, supply chain)
- How you measure and report outcomes
- Roles and responsibilities
- Review
Every document carries your logo, company name, version number, approval signatory and next review date, in branded PDF plus editable Word.
UK legislation, standards and guidance it references
- Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012
- Procurement Act 2023
- PPN 002: Social Value Model (Procurement Act 2023 procurements)
Excerpt preview
[Your Company Ltd] (“the Company”) recognises that the way it delivers contracts can create wider economic, social and environmental benefits for the communities it serves. This Policy sets out how the Company plans, delivers, measures and reports social value, including on public-sector contracts where social value is evaluated under the Procurement Act 2023 and the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012. This…
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£19.99 per policy, or £199 for all 39 policies. One-off payment.
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How to adapt it
- Read every section and remove anything that doesn’t reflect how your organisation actually works.
- Complete the bracketed [ADAPT] prompts with your own arrangements, people and data.
- Have the policy approved and signed by a director or equivalent, and communicate it to staff.
- Keep evidence that you follow it, and review it by the date shown.
Social Value Policy FAQs
Is a policy enough to score well on social value?
No. Evaluators score specific, measurable commitments relevant to the contract. A policy provides the foundation that your tender answers build on.
What changes with PPN 026?
PPN 026 introduces a new Social Value Model for central government procurements of £1m or more commenced on or after 1 January 2027, with minimum weightings of 10% (£1m to under £5m) and 20% (£5m and above). A written policy helps you answer consistently.
Can a small business deliver meaningful social value?
Yes. Proportionate commitments, such as hiring locally, offering work experience, paying suppliers promptly or volunteering time, can score well if they are specific, relevant to the contract and measurable.
How much does the Social Value Policy template cost?
£19.99 per policy, or £199 for all 39 policies. It is a one-off payment with no subscription, and you download branded PDF and editable Word files straight away.
Free guides
General information, not legal advice. Requirements differ between buyers and change over time; always check the tender documents.