Social value

‘Social value’ refers to the positive contributions an organisation provides, beyond its core obligations, which benefit the:

• economy
• community
• environment

The Public Services (Social Value) Act requires public authorities (and their suppliers) to consider these wider benefits when buying:

• goods
• works
• services

Social value at Southwark Council

We define social value as:

"A method whereby the Council ensures our suppliers meet the needs for goods, works and services in a way that delivers value for money, while maximising the potential of our borough, making it fairer, greener and safer for all our residents."

Everything we do as a council is to support a fairer, greener and safer Southwark.

We're committed to:

• supporting, standing up for and empowering residents
• influencing others who we work with to do the same

We look to:

• get maximum value out of our spending with external organisations
• improve economic, social and environmental wellbeing, to benefit the local area and residents

New social value framework

We first considered social value in 2019 via our fairer future procurement framework.

We're now building a more targeted and meaningful social value programme for the whole Council in response to:

• ongoing service transformation
• our 2030 ambitions for the borough
• the release of the Southwark Economic Strategy 2030

In 2025, we'll be launching our new social value framework.

This will show our renewed commitment to fully exploring how we use social value as a method for meeting our promises to the people of Southwark.

We'll go beyond the narrow focus of legislation to:

• follow best practice
• challenge ourselves to be creative with the strengths and resources that we have in Southwark
• act as a leader for social value within Greater London

Contact us

Email socialvalue@southwark.gov.uk for more information.