When to apply Social Value in the commissioning and procurement process
To fully create social value in the public sector, the economic, environmental, and social benefits should be considered; throughout the commissioning cycle (i.e., needs assessment, design, market engagement, performance review), all stages of the procurement process - pre-procurement, selection, contract award, contract conditions and management.
To achieve real social value the Council’s commissioners must be creative in order to discover how such benefits can be realised. This includes ensuring that the full thought process has been undertaken where a new commissioning activity/need is identified.
Throughout every phase of the commissioning cycle/procurement cycle systems should be put in place to ensure that social value is achieved. Commissioners should consider the social benefits in the design of services and specifications.
The specification and contract should be designed with social value in mind and contractual clauses must be clear on what the purchaser expects the provider to evidence in achieving their social value commitment.
The consequences if their social value commitment is not achieved must also be made clear.
The Social Value framework:
- Define the vision Integrate
- Integrate across Partner
- Deliver through the business
- Measure the impact partnership
The Social Value framework Adapted from: Temple, N., Wigglesworth, C. and Smith, C. (2014), Communities Count: The Four Steps of Unlocking Social Value, Social Enterprise, London.
