How to Write a Social Value Statement That Wins Tenders
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Why Social Value Matters in Tenders
In public sector tenders, social value is no longer a ‘nice to have’ — it’s a scored section, often worth 10% to 20% of the total evaluation.
Commissioners want to see how your service benefits the wider community — not just the people you support.
What to Include in a Social Value Statement
Your statement should show how your organisation contributes to:
- Local employment – e.g. hiring from the community, apprenticeships, supporting career progression
- Environmental sustainability – reducing waste, going paperless, low-emission vehicles
- Community engagement – supporting carers, volunteering, working with local groups
- Equality and inclusion – hiring from underrepresented groups, fair pay, cultural awareness
- Health and wellbeing – promoting physical, mental, and social wellbeing beyond core care delivery
How to Make It Tender-Ready
✅ Align it with the outcomes in the tender specification ✅ Use local data or case studies to back up your claims ✅ Be specific — avoid vague promises and use numbers where possible ✅ Include measurable commitments (e.g. “We will offer 3 apprenticeships per year”)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic statement with no local context
- Repeating what’s already in your method statement
- Making promises you can’t measure or evidence
How We Can Help
At Impact Guru Ltd, we help social care providers develop powerful Social Value Statements that match the tender spec and stand out to evaluators.
We also offer ready-to-use Social Value Method Statements for download — tailored by service type and word count.
Written by Mike Harrison, Founder of Impact Guru Ltd — specialists in bid writing and strategy for social care providers
Visit impact-guru.co.uk to explore our strategies, method statements, or get in touch about tender support.