The NHS Social Value Model: What Providers Must Know

September 11, 2025

📘 Blog 2 of 7 in our Social Value & Net Zero Series
The NHS Social Value Model: What Providers Must Know

Links to all 7 blogs in this series are at the bottom of this post.

🧭 Why the Social Value Model Matters

The NHS and wider public sector increasingly require bidders to demonstrate specific, measurable social value commitments. For social care providers, this shifts social value from “nice narrative” to scored criteria that can decide outcomes. The Social Value Model typically anchors commitments around clear themes (e.g., jobs, skills, wellbeing, environment) and expects delivery plans, baselines, metrics, and reporting.

High-scoring bidders connect social value to service aims and local need, not just corporate CSR.

🔑 What Commissioners Expect

Local relevance: commitments tied to the local authority/ICS priorities (employment, inequalities, prevention, carbon reduction).
Clear baselines & targets: start point, trajectory, and time-bound goals.
Delivery detail: who is responsible, how you’ll deliver, partners involved, and how you’ll report.
Measurement framework: mapping to TOMs/SROI or equivalent with quarterly reporting.

🏗️ Turning the Model into Your Plan

Use a simple mapping table during bid development:

Theme: e.g., “Local Jobs & Skills”
Commitment: “2 apprentices per year; 10% interview guarantee for care leavers.”
How: Partner with college; funded assessor; peer mentor scheme.
Measure: # apprentices started/completed; % retained into permanent roles.
Report: Quarterly dashboard, added to governance pack and family forum update (“you said, we did”).

💡 Example Commitments (Care-Relevant)

Employment & skills: 2 apprenticeships/year; paid work trials for disabled applicants; guaranteed interview scheme.
Health & wellbeing: carers’ workshop series co-delivered with VCSE partners; digital inclusion sessions for older adults.
Net Zero: transition 40% of fleet to low-emission; reduce paper by 80% via e-rostering & eMAR; supplier codes on packaging waste.
Inclusive procurement: 20% of non-clinical spend with local SMEs/VCSEs.

🧰 Tender-Ready Checklist

Map each commitment to a theme, measure, and owner.
Set baselines and time-bound targets.
Show governance: monthly data ➜ quarterly board; publish public “you said, we did.”

💼 Rapid Support Products (fast turnaround options)

⚡ 48-Hour Tender Triage
🆘 Bid Rescue Session – 60 minutes
✍️ Score Booster – Tender Answer Rewrite
🧩 Tender Answer Blueprint
📝 Tender Proofreading & Light Editing
🔍 Pre-Tender Readiness Audit
📁 Tender Document Review

🚀 Need a Bid Writing Quote?

If you’re exploring support for an upcoming tender or framework, request a quick, no-obligation quote. I’ll review your documents and respond with: