According to the UK government’s social value in Government Procurement Consultation, social value refers to the wider financial and non-financial impacts of projects and programmes including the wellbeing of individuals, communities, social capital and the environment. The UK Public Services (social value) Act 2012 has placed social value as a key influence over policy and procurement decision makers. Challenging them to consider the social, economic and environmental benefits on the local economies they operate within.
At Bloom we make it easier for public sector clients to deliver on their social value goals and objectives through our marketplace.
Social Value is a key part of who we are, it instils a shared sense of responsibility to make it easier for our customers to deliver on their social value goals and objectives. We’re creating a level and equal playing field for SMEs to do business and drive significant growth back into the local economies in which they operate.
We help our customers to overcome any difficulties they may have in understanding, tendering, recording and reporting on social value outcomes and impacts.
We provide access to an extensive marketplace of suppliers of all sizes, with a significant number from the SME and VCSE communities, offering you an excellent opportunity to help deliver your social value objectives.
We believe social value shouldn’t come at any extra cost, which is why it’s an inherent part of our fully managed service.
Social Value report 2020Social Value report 2021Social Value report 2022
We are proud to have been awarded the Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership social value Award, demonstrating strong social value within local communities. Social Value is integral to all aspects of our business model and, as a socially responsible organisation, we continually seek to maximise the impact of the social value we create.
Since the commencement of the NEPRO3 contract (01 September 2019) to date (30 June 2023), over 70% of projects in our marketplace have been awarded to SMEs, enabling the public sector to drive significant growth back into the local economies in which they operate.
We have facilitated the award of over 3,300+ projects to SME suppliers valued at more than £545 million.
View Social Value International’s guide to the Seven Principles of Social Value:
https://socialvalueint.org/social-value/standards-and-guidance/the-principles-of-social-value/
View Social Enterprise UK’s guide to the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012:
https://www.socialauditnetwork.org.uk/files/5413/4996/6918/Public_Services_Social_Value_Act_2012_guide_SEUK_2.12_-_010312.pdf
View a summary of the UK Government’s Social value in government procurement:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/social-value-in-government-procurement
As the importance of social value grows so does the need to effectively measure it. Currently Bloom utilise the National TOMs model (Themes, outcomes and Measures). Developed by Social Value Portal, the National TOMs model was launched in 2017 and has since been endorsed by the Local Government Association.
To find out more please visit: https://socialvalueportal.com/what-is-social-value/
View Social Value’s International guide to social return on investment:
www.socialvalueuk.org/social-value-training/social-value-sroi-training
In this short video, Paul Mander, Procurement Director at Bloom, is joined by Sarah MacNab, Head of Social Value at Bloom, to discuss the details of PPN 11/20 and provide insight into how Bloom can help your organisation to deliver its required outcomes.
Our panel of experts explored the unprecedented pressure on providers, the importance of building collaboration to ease these pressures and the benefits end-users will feel from outcomes-focused commissioning.
Digital skills are an essential entry requirements for two-thirds of UK SOC occupations. These occupations account for 82% of current online job vacancies. As the pandemic pushed forward a programme of digital transformation, there is now a risk that those without the required digital skills will be excluded from any economic recovery,
A digital divide in the UK economy will result in the least digitally engaged being at a real disadvantage. Helen Dobson, Managing Director at Citizens Online joined our head of social value Sarah MacNab, to discuss the threat the digital divide poses the UK’s economic recovery and the steps the public sector can take to address this.
Working with Bloom to access the NEPRO solution has ensured we realise all the expected benefits from a neutral vendor approach in procuring and managing specialist professional services. They are a true partner and are continually looking to improve the way we work and ultimately the services provided by the suppliers.
Bloom was essential in the recent hiring of a consultant for a governance project within oneSource. Through the NEPRO solution, I was able to hire a consultant within 2 weeks of posting my project requirements. I was provided with proposals from a range of experienced and relevant suppliers and received valued support from Bloom throughout the process.
I chose to work with Bloom as I liked the idea of outcome-based projects. It’s so much more efficient, as it’s a compliant process without the need to go through the OJEU process as it’s still competitive. Bloom has many suppliers already available but we can add suppliers whenever we want. Having someone who can help by providing a second opinion; a neutral point of view has been valuable to us.
Through Bloom we were able to engage with Cardiff Council efficiently and help them access social care services they urgently needed in a compliant way.
Due to their robust and wide-reaching supply chain, Bloom is able to identify and access even the most niche suppliers. Bloom was able to provide a speedy and robust solution that would not have occurred to us.
Bloom is a professional and far reaching procurement partner, allowing Torne & Shirmers to reach its target market in supporting the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), Local Authorities, Universities and NHS Trusts throughout the UK.
We became a Bloom Accredited Supplier following our attendance at the NCC supplier engagement event, this was crucial to Impeller finding out more information about Bloom and it also gave us great exposure to NCC and definitely assisted in helping us win business with them.
Through Bloom and NEPRO we were able to access the right supplier in a short time frame.
Bloom helped us find suppliers in a rather niche market with the skills and expertise we required, which we would have otherwise found very difficult to source.
We have been working in partnership with Bolton Borough Council to transform the delivery of their property services. This close collaboration combined with our expertise means together we have made sure our solution is the best for the people of Bolton.
We were proud to support West Sussex County Council and CAPITA with their annual planning programme and help to deliver the best outcomes for the County.
Being a Bloom accredited supplier offers us appropriate opportunities and improves our chances of being successful. The competition process for the Invest South Tyneside project was robust, yet quick and straightforward and Gardiner Richardson is delighted to have been selected. We’ve hit the ground running and have quickly been able to begin delivering impact and results for Invest South Tyneside.
The NEPRO solution assisted the Council in achieving our aims of supporting local business while freeing up valuable time for us to concentrate on high value strategic projects.
Bloom provided a fast and compliant route to market. Allowing us to promptly begin work on the project and deliver the desired outcomes.