Features

Commissioning for social value

3 mins read Commissioning
Toni Badnall-Neill explains how children's services commissioners can incorporate social value into their decision making.

"Social value" describes the additional value created in the delivery of a commissioned service, beyond the value delivered as part of the core contract.

Recognising that contract costs do not always reflect value for money, the Public Services (Social Value) Act was introduced at the end of 2012. It places a duty on commissioners to consider the economic, social and environmental benefits of their approach to procurement before this process starts, and whether they need to consult on these issues.

A shift in recent years towards outcome-based commissioning means that this is something those in children's services are familiar doing in relation to the specific contract activities. However, the act also requires commissioners to think about how to develop services, and how providers will deliver them to achieve maximum impact for the wider community.

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