Public sector buyers continue to place emphasis on social value, and a new Social Value  Model (announced in February 2025) will become mandatory for in-scope public sector organisations from 1 October 2025. It forms part of the Government’s Procurement Policy Note 002 (PPN 002) and reflects the broader goals in the new National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS).

So, what’s changed, and what does your business need to do differently?

 

Quick recap: What is social value in tenders?

Social value refers to the additional benefits that public sector buying can bring to society, above and beyond the goods or services being purchased. That includes things like:

1. Creating jobs or training opportunities

2. Supporting disadvantaged groups

3. Improving wellbeing

4. Tackling climate change

5. Supporting small businesses or community organisations

With social value now often accounting for up to 10% of the overall tender score, it can be the difference between winning and losing a contract.

 

What’s in the 2025 Social Value Model?

The new model doesn’t just tweak the old one, it reorganises, refines and raises the bar. Here are the key differences:

 

✅ Eight outcomes instead of five themes

Previously, the Social Value Model was built around five broad themes (e.g. COVID-19 Recovery, Equal Opportunity). The 2025 version now focuses on eight clear policy outcomes, each linked to a specific national mission:

1. Fair work (good jobs and working conditions)

2. Skills for growth (tackling skills gaps)

3. Sustainable procurement (net zero, waste reduction)

4. Reducing crime (via community cohesion)

5. Wellbeing and productivity (supporting physical and mental health)

6. Diversity in supply chains

7. Opportunities for underrepresented groups

8. Removing employment barriers

While much of the new model reflects the same principles as before, the emphasis has shifted. The key changes are the removal of COVID-19 Recovery as a theme, and the introduction of Reducing Crime as a new outcome.

 

✅ The continuation of a structured, evidence-led approach

The new model is more prescriptive about how to answer social value questions and you’ll still need to show:

1. Specific, measurable, time-bound commitments

2. Clear explanations of how your offer meets the criteria

3. A project plan and performance measures

4. Plans to influence your supply chain, staff and community

5. Methods for engagement, training, transparency and feedback

It also expects suppliers to include target cohorts (e.g. care leavers, those with disabilities, prison leavers) where appropriate.

 

✅ Standardised metrics

For each outcome, the new model still requires standard reporting metrics. These allow contracting authorities to compare bids more consistently and make it easier to monitor delivery post-award. Examples include:

1. Number of apprenticeships created

2. Hours of staff training delivered

3. Carbon reduction in metric tonnes

4. Number of community engagement activities

5. Spend with SMEs, VCSEs or mutuals

 

Do I have to cover all 8 outcomes?

No, you’re not expected to respond to all eight. Buyers will select the outcomes most relevant to the contract and ask questions accordingly. However, it’s common to be asked about multiple areas, so understanding you may need to commit to a broad set of initiatives is key.

 

So what should your business do now?

If you want to stay competitive, it’s time to:

1. Familiarise yourself with the new model - including the eight outcomes and associated award criteria.

2. Identify where your business can genuinely add value - think about the jobs you create, your supply chain, environmental practices, training schemes, and community involvement.

3. Collect evidence of what you’ve done - social value responses are not just about what you promise, but what you can prove.

4. Create a bank of ready-to-tailor responses - especially if you bid regularly.

 

Need help navigating the new model?

At Complete Tenders, we’ve been helping clients respond to social value questions since before they were fashionable, and we’re ready to help you respond confidently and convincingly to the 2025 model. Whether you’re updating existing content or starting from scratch, we can work with you to craft measurable, meaningful, and winnable responses.

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