David Bemrose describes how Crown Commercial Service (CCS) is working with local government to build social value into procurement

This year marks a decade since The Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 came into force.

And what a decade it has been. What's most remarkable is the winds of change that have buffeted the sector haven't stopped many organisations from ensuring that the vision set out in the Act is realised.

CCS supports the public sector to get the best deal on the procurement of thousands of goods and services.

Ensuring suppliers on our agreements are meeting the needs of potential customers, including on social value, is a key part developing new solutions.

How local government leads the social value agenda

The measurement of social value and the community benefits that can be generated from procurement has become increasingly standardised across local government, including the introduction of the National TOMs framework, launched by the Local Government Association's National Social Value Taskforce.

TOMs (Themes, Outcomes, Measures) created a new, common language for social value, encouraging greater consistency in reporting.

CCS agreements are designed to be flexible, so buyers across the public sector can use their chosen way to measure social value delivered in contracts, whether this is the TOMs or an alternative model.

The key themes of social value fall broadly under three benefit groups:

• social – building cohesive, safe and healthy local communities

• economic – improving skills and employment, and supporting innovation and sustainable growth of businesses

• environmental – tackling climate change and minimising harm to the environment

It's these elements which potential suppliers to the public sector should factor into their thinking when bidding for contracts.

What CCS and suppliers are doing

With so many framework agreements offering a diverse range of goods and services, suppliers are interpreting social value in different ways.

CCS can ask suppliers to demonstrate how they work to ensure fair, inclusive and ethical employment practices. This could include evidence that they've advertised vacancies in a wide range of locations or that they've engaged with VCSE organisations about apprenticeships.

Find details of how to build policy considerations into your procurement by downloading our digital brochure, visit www.crowncommercial.gov.uk