Why Social Value Still Matters in Social Care Tenders

---

Social Value: A Requirement That Isn’t Going Away

Social value remains a key focus in social care commissioning, with tender questions increasingly asking providers to demonstrate not just what they do — but the wider benefits they deliver for people, communities, and the environment. This reflects broader Government priorities and NHS England’s expectations through the Social Value Model.

---

What Commissioners Want to See

Commissioners expect clear, tangible examples of how your service delivers added value beyond contractual requirements. This might include:

• Creating local employment opportunities
• Reducing carbon emissions through greener business practices
• Supporting people into volunteering or paid work
• Investing in staff wellbeing and professional development
• Strengthening partnerships with VCSE organisations

---

How to Strengthen Your Tender Responses

To score highly, you must go beyond generic statements. Provide specific, measurable examples of your existing or planned initiatives. Align these to your local area’s priorities where possible, and demonstrate how you monitor impact over time.

---

Need Ready-to-Use Resources?

If you need practical tools to help strengthen your responses, our Social Value Method Statement Collection includes tender-ready templates designed for social care providers. These align with current commissioning expectations and help you present a clear, professional offer.

---

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 browse strategies, method statements, or get in touch about tender support.