In today’s conscientious marketplace, ‘Social Value’ has evolved from a corporate buzzword into a fundamental business imperative. It is no longer enough for organisations to focus on profit; they must also demonstrate a commitment to creating positive impact on people, communities, and the planet.
As APMP UK state, “social value is no longer a bolt-on. It’s a professional business imperative.” This means that, for any business serious about growth, resilience, and reputation, the ability to robustly evidence this impact is non-negotiable.
This is where Accreditation, such as the suite of Ticks, provides a crucial advantage, acting as an independent, quality-assured framework that transforms good intentions into verifiable, measurable success. It provides the essential evidence needed to navigate the demands of public procurement, secure customer loyalty, and win the fierce competition for top talent.
1. Winning Public Contracts: Social Value is the Key Differentiator
The landscape of UK public sector procurement has fundamentally shifted. Following the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 and further cemented by the Procurement Act 2023, public bodies are not just encouraged but mandated to consider the wider social, economic, and environmental benefits a contract will deliver beyond the core service.
Delta eSourcing describe how, “integrating social value into procurement is far more than a legislative box-ticking exercise; it has become a strategic imperative for public sector organisations across the UK. This shift reflects a deeper understanding of the role public spending can play in shaping society for the better.”
The Mandatory Weighting on Social Value
For central government contracts, the Social Value Model- often incorporated using frameworks like the Themes, Outcomes, and Measures (TOMs) System- requires a minimum of 10% weighting to be allocated to a bidder’s social value proposal.
This means that even if a bid is slightly cheaper, it will often lose out to a competitor with a more credible and impactful social value offer. The trend is moving away from the lowest price towards the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT), where social impact is a critical component of value for money.
The Accreditation Solution:
Tenders demand concrete, quantitative evidence of an organisation’s past success and capacity to deliver on its social value promises. This is where accreditation provides a strategic shortcut.
- Evidencing Capability: Achieving a recognised accreditation demonstrates that your organisation has the governance, processes, and culture in place to create, measure, and report on social value effectively. It moves your submission “Beyond the Tick Box,” signalling genuine, embedded maturity rather than a rushed, aspirational promise.
- The Tick Category Alignment: Many Tick categories align directly with the core themes of the UK Social Value Model, such as:
- Fighting Climate Change: The Carbon Reduction Tick provides independently assured evidence of your commitment to measuring and reducing your environmental impact. This pre-verified data can be directly leveraged in your tender response to evidence your capability in the ‘Environmental Outcomes’ pillar, offering a huge advantage over competitors who must build their claims from scratch.
- Tackling Economic Inequality and Creating Opportunities: The Corporate Social Responsibility Tick can provide auditable proof of your commitment to creating local jobs, providing apprenticeships, and supporting the growth of responsible businesses.
An organisation presenting an accredited, independently verified track record holds a significant advantage, replacing vague statements of intent with credible, auditable, and quantified results.
2. The Conscientious Consumer: Building Trust and Loyalty
It is not just public sector buyers who demand greater accountability. The modern consumer is increasingly discerning, using their purchasing power to support businesses that align with their personal values.
Social Value as a Brand Asset
Research consistently shows that consumers are willing to pay more for, and are more loyal to, brands that demonstrate a strong sense of purpose beyond profit.
- 76% of customers are more likely to trust a company that leads with purpose.
- 77% of the UK public believe businesses should have a legal responsibility to put people and the planet alongside making a profit.
For a business, this means that every decision, from ethical sourcing to carbon emissions, is under public scrutiny. The challenge lies in proving that your commitments are authentic rather than merely “purpose-washing.”
The Accreditation Solution:
Accreditation provides the essential, independent third-party verification that transforms a marketing claim into a statement of fact.
- Credibility and Transparency: Displaying a recognised Tick instantly communicates that your practices have been rigorously audited against a national standard. Impact Reporting emphasise how important it is for social value reporting to, “demonstrate the real impact of what can be achieved, not just what can be easily measured.” Relevant accreditation signals to consumers that your company is transparent about its impact, reports both positive and negative outcomes, and is committed to continuous improvement.
- Differentiation: In a crowded market, an accreditation mark is a powerful differentiator, a seal of approval that makes your ethical choices easy for consumers to recognise and trust. For example, a consumer looking for a sustainable service provider will be drawn to a business that holds a verified Sustainability Tick over one that simply claims to be green. This evidence builds the foundational trust necessary for long-term customer loyalty and positive brand reputation.
3. The Talent War: Attracting and Retaining Purpose-Driven Employees
The war for talent is intrinsically linked to an organisation’s social value performance. Companies such as Public Practice Recruitment are reporting that the current workforce, particularly Millennials and Generation Z, prioritise working for companies that reflect their values and contribute positively to society.
Indeed, Certain Advantage state that social-value is “becoming a defining factor in how top candidates choose their next move.”
Purpose Drives Engagement and Retention
Job-seekers are looking beyond salary and benefits; they want to know how their daily work contributes to a greater good. They view their employer’s social value commitment as a direct reflection of their own personal purpose.
- Attraction: Companies that can clearly articulate and prove their positive impact are significantly more attractive to top candidates. A strong social value strategy strengthens the Employer Brand, making it a magnet for purpose-driven professionals.
- Retention and Productivity: Employees who feel proud of their employer’s contribution to society are more engaged, more motivated, and more loyal. Gallup reported that engaged workforces have been shown to have lower staff turnover (up to 24% less) and higher productivity (up to 17% higher).
The Accreditation Solution:
Accreditation verifies the internal environment and policies that underpin a robust social value culture, helping to attract and reassure potential and current employees.
- Internal Culture and Wellbeing Ticks: Ticks related to Mental Health, or Physical Wellbeing can be used as internal evidence to demonstrate a genuine commitment to the people within the organisation. These accreditations show that the business is serious about supporting its staff- a key factor for modern talent.
- Authentic Storytelling: The evidence gathered during the accreditation process- case studies, stakeholder feedback, and impact reports- provides the material for authentic recruitment and engagement campaigns. Instead of simply telling employees you care about their wellbeing, an accreditation allows you to show them that your policies and performance have been independently assessed and validated. This transparency is a massive driver of employee trust and advocacy.
Conclusion: Making Your Impact Count
Social Value is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’. It is a core pillar of modern commercial success. Whether you are bidding for a multimillion-pound public contract, seeking to build enduring customer relationships, or competing for the brightest talent, the ability to demonstrate a positive, measurable impact is paramount.
Accreditation, such as the suite of Ticks, is the most robust way for an organisation to achieve this. It provides the independent assurance that elevates your social value commitments from good intentions to contractually sound, market-leading, and talent-attracting evidence.
By investing in accreditation, you are not just ticking a box; you are investing in a verified framework that drives continuous improvement, builds deep stakeholder trust, and ultimately positions your organisation as a leader in the new, purpose-led economy.
The time to formalise your impact is now. Make your social value auditable, make it credible, and make it count.
Explore the range of Tick Accreditation available today.