Social Values

Our Commitment

We believe that as a successful organisation, we have a responsibility to contribute to the well-being of the communities we serve and operate within, with a special focus on the locations where we have a physical presence. We therefore commit to (whenever possible):

• Maximising social value in all our activities and decision-making processes
• Supporting local economic development and job creation
• Promoting environmental sustainability and climate action
• Advancing equality, diversity, and inclusion
• Building stronger, more resilient communities

Policy Principles

Local Economic Development

• Prioritise local suppliers and contractors where feasible and cost-effective;
• Support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and social enterprises;
• Create employment opportunities for local residents in the location where we have offices
• Invest in local skills development and training programs.

Environmental Responsibility

• Minimise environmental impact through sustainable practices and by fostering them throughout our staff
• Promote circular economy principles in our operations
• Support renewable energy and low-carbon initiatives
• Reduce waste and promote recycling and reuse

Social Inclusion and Equality

• Provide equal opportunities regardless of background, identity, or circumstances in accordance with the Equal Opportunities Policy and in alignment with the Equality Act 2010
• Support disadvantaged groups and individuals facing barriers to employment
• Promote community cohesion and social integration
• Address inequality and social exclusion

Community Wellbeing

• Support health and wellbeing initiatives and aiming to provide our staff with the right tools
• Invest in our staff education and skills development in alignment with the company goals
• Promote arts, culture, and heritage preservation
• Enhance community safety and security

Implementation Framework

Procurement and Supply Chain

• Integrate social value considerations into all procurement processes
• Set targets for local spend and SME engagement
• Evaluate suppliers based on their social value contributions
• Support supplier development programs for local businesses

Employment and Skills

• Prioritise local recruitment in our office locations
• Offer apprenticeships, traineeships, and work experience opportunities when possible
• Support career progression for underrepresented groups

Community Investment

• Encourage our staff to participate in community projects and initiatives
• Partner with local organisations and charities
• Encourage employee volunteering and community engagement
• Support local events and activities

Innovation and Collaboration

• Develop innovative solutions to social challenges
• Collaborate with public, private, and voluntary sector partners
• Share knowledge and best practices
• Support research and development for social benefit

Measurement and Reporting

Key Performance Indicators

We will track and report on:
• Local spend as a percentage of total procurement
• Number of local jobs created or supported
• Training hours and qualifications delivered
• Environmental impact reductions
• Community investment value
• Supplier diversity metrics

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Conduct regular assessments of social value delivery
• Engage with stakeholders to gather feedback
• Use recognised frameworks such as Social Return on Investment (SROI)
• Publish annual social value reports

Continuous Improvement

• Set annual targets for social value outcomes
• Review and update strategies based on performance
• Share learnings and best practices
• Adapt to changing community needs and priorities

Stakeholder Engagement

We will actively engage with:
• Local communities, companies and residents
• Local authorities and public bodies
• Voluntary and community sector organisations
• Educational institutions
• Business networks and chambers of commerce
• Trade unions and professional associations

Governance and Accountability

We will actively engage with:
• Local communities, companies and residents
• Local authorities and public bodies
• Voluntary and community sector organisations
• Educational institutions
• Business networks and chambers of commerce
• Trade unions and professional associations

Leadership and Oversight

• Senior leadership commitment to social value delivery
• Regular board/executive reporting on social value performance
• Integration into organisational strategy and planning

Roles and Responsibilities

• All staff have responsibility for considering social value in their work
• Designated social value champions or coordinators
• Procurement teams trained in social value assessment
• Regular training and awareness programs

Risk Management

We will identify and manage risks related to:
• Failure to deliver promised social value outcomes
• Unintended negative consequences of our activities
• Stakeholder expectations and reputation
• Regulatory compliance requirements

Compliance and Standards

This policy aligns with:
• Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 (UK)
• UN Sustainable Development Goals
• Local authority social value policies
• Relevant sector-specific guidelines

Review and Updates

This policy will be reviewed annually and updated as necessary to:
• Reflect changing legislation and best practice
• Respond to stakeholder feedback
• Address emerging social and environmental challenges
• Improve effectiveness and impact