Winning public sector work: How to communicate your Social Value effectively

For businesses looking to secure public sector contracts, communicating Social Value effectively is now more critical than ever. 

Since 2012, the UK government has integrated Social Value into procurement through the Social Value Act. In February, the new Procurement Act 2023, guided by a new National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS), came into force, firmly placing Social Value at the heart of successful bid tenders.

As we explained in our previous blog, merely mentioning Social Value in a bid is no longer enough – businesses must provide clear, measurable contributions aligned with government priorities. Companies that prioritise and effectively communicate their Social Value impact will gain a competitive advantage in public procurement.

Furthermore, reporting on Social Value aligns with a broader ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategy, which is increasingly becoming a core part of corporate strategy across organisations.

Here are five key considerations to help make your bid stand out by effectively articulating your social impacts:

1. Align your Social Value commitments with the new NPPS objectives.

Consider how your business contributes to net-zero goals; local employment and skills development; diversity and inclusion initiatives; and community wellbeing programmes. 

2. Quantify your Social Value contributions. Public bodies need measurable data.

Use KPIs and case studies to demonstrate your successes, such as the number of jobs created for underrepresented groups; the carbon emissions reduced through sustainable business practices; the volunteering hours contributed to local community projects.

3. Be transparent and realistic.

The NPPS mandates Social Value commitments to be contractually binding. It’s important to ensure you have the internal resources systems in place to deliver, track, and report on your contributions. Only commit to activities and targets you can realistically deliver.

4. Ensure compliance with ethical standards.

You need to demonstrate how your business prevents modern slavery and promotes ethical supply chains. Be ready to evidence how you provide fair wages and decent working conditions.

5. Engage early and proactively.

Engage with your target clients, talk about your Social Value impacts, and share stories about your progress to date and don’t be afraid to acknowledge the challenges you face. Authenticity helps to position your business as a trusted partner. Even the largest players admit that becoming a better, more responsible company is a process. 

Creating a strategy for, and reporting on, Social Value can seem a daunting prospect, but you might be surprised at how much social impact your company is already delivering. Often the first challenge is capturing the stories you already have to tell – these then serve as a strong foundation to build upon.  

Content Coms can help kickstart your ESG journey and share your social progress. Our ESG comms and social impact services are pragmatic, results-led and designed to be accessible to businesses of any size or kind. Click here to find out more.