Definition of Social Value

Social Value is understanding how you contribute to delivering social, environmental and economic outcomes and evidencing the value this creates for the wellbeing of local people, communities, economies and wider society. Social Value helps you understand how you contribute to reducining inequalities, levelling up, placemaking, and creating a long term legacy and impact from what you do as a business and the projects or services you deliver.

How is Social Value linked to Sustainability and ESG?

Social Value is explicitly linked to Sustainability and ESG because it is focused on delivering social, environmental and economic outcomes whilst minimising the negative impact we can have on people, places and the planet. Social Value or 'Social Impact' is considered as the 'S' in ESG, and Sustainability or 'Environmental Impact' is considered as the 'E' in ESG. Measuring and evaluating your Environnmental and Social Impact, which can include both monetisation and non-monetisation of environmental and social wellbeing is part of a 'Governance' process, the 'G' in ESG, which enables positive decision-making that is both Environmentally and Socially Responsible.

We have developed a simple definition of ESG which Incorporate both Social Value and Sustainability to account for Social and Envionmental impacts and Wellbeing. The 'Governance' element of ESG relates to data management, impact measurement, startegy development and reporting within a transparent legislative, and regulated framework.

Social Value Consultancy

Our Experience

Social Value Consultancy have a wealth of experience spanning over 20 years, supporting clients from the Public, Private and Third Sectors. We have been involved at the very begining of the development of Social Value Policy in the UK, from the creation of outcomes frameworks through the Local Government Act 2000, the introduction of legislation through the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 and changes to Public Contracts Regulations with the introduction of Policy Procurment Note 06/20 to Social Value Policy as we know it today.  Social Value Consultancy have been advising Government Departments on Social Value to evidence 'Value for Money' and the 'Return on Investment' created throuugh from Capital Projects and Policy Changes over the past 20 years.

W hilst we hasve a particular expertise withing the Built Environment including Construction, Housing, and Infrastructure which is the catalyst for Social, Community Investment and Economic Regeneration. Although we specialise in the Built Environment, we have significant experience in other industries including:

• Financial Institutions

• Wealth Management

• Real Estate

• Planning and Development

• Construction Companies

• Asset Management

• Facilities Managment

• Government Departments

• Health & Social Care

• Retail

• Housing

• Education

• Infrastructure

• Energy and Utilities

• Waste Management

Social Value Consultancy as a business was initally developed in 2007 and we are considered as 'thought leaders' in Social Value, Sustainability and ESG. We have been involved in the development of the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012, and the reviews of the legislation until the introduction of PPN 06/20 Social Value Framework in January 2021.

Social Value Consultancy have worked with the HM Treasury on the Cost Benefit Anaysis Framework and the Unit Cost Database (which the primary database is used by the Social Value Portal TOMs), and Social Value UK and Social Value International on the development of the Global Value Exchange which is the largest database of indicators, outcomes and proxy values that can be used for measuring impact and monetising Social Value, Environmental Impact and Economic Wellbeing.. Our team of subject matter experts have unrivalled experience includes strategy and policy development, monetisation and non-monetisation of impact, and reporting against Social Value, Sustainability and ESG within transparent and legislative frameworks.

Founders of Social Profit Calculator/Loop

Social Value Consultancy are the founders of Social Profit Calculator (which is now called Loop) which was the first software tool to be accredited by Social Vaklue UK and Social Value International. Since then Social Value Consultancy developed the Whole Life Value methodology, which helps clients to understand the lifecycle impact and value at every stage of their investments, particualrly within the planning, procurement and delivery of the Real Estate and the Built Environment .

Social Value Consultancy introduced the concept and methoddology for Whole Life Value, which is aligned to the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012, PPN 06/21 Social Value Framework, PPN 06/21 Carbon Reduction Plans, the Construction Playbook and the Value Toolkit in terms of Outcomes Based Procurement. Whole Life Value looks looks beyond the planning and implementation phases of a project aand includes the lifecycle value of the asset or service whilst in operation with a sustainable strategic approach to end of life or next investment cycle. Whole Life Value also considers the wider impacts in terms of placemaking, attracting inward investment into an area, creating opportunities for economic growth through local supply chain engagement, long-term jobs and skills creation as well as the wider impacts on the local community through the legacy of capital investment in assets.

Founders of Whole Life Value Methodology - A Lifecycle Approach

Social Value Consultancy supports clients to understand the Lifecycle Value of their business operations, investments programmes and projects to ensure they deliver social, economic and environmental outomes within a compliant and legislative framework for and responsible Social Value, Sustainability and ESG investment and reporting. Social Value Consultancy uses a Whole Life Value methodology to support clients to understand the long term impact and value that they create through their projects, investments and services. The Whole Life value methodology comines HM Treasury Green Book Appraisal Techniques, Cabinet Office Social Return on Investment (SROI), Environmental/Sustainabilily Impact Assessment and Economic Impact Analysis to ensure clients and other stakeholders deliver against their ESG responsibilities whilst maintaining compliance with legislation, and being transparent against local needs and global targets.