What Social Value Really Means in the Care Sector — and Why It Matters

You’ve likely seen it in tenders, heard it in commissioner briefings, or read about it in government strategy papers: “Social value.”

But what does it really mean in the context of care?

Is it just another box to tick in a contract bid? Or is it something deeper — something that should guide how we build, grow, and lead care businesses?

At Care for the Future, we believe social value is more than a buzzword.

It’s the foundation of a care company that makes a real, lasting difference — to people, communities, and society at large.

In this blog, we’ll break down what social value really is, how it shows up in homecare, and why it should be part of your business strategy from day one.

What Is Social Value?

At its core, social value refers to the wider benefits your business creates for individuals, communities, and society — above and beyond the direct services you provide.

It’s about how your business contributes to:

  • Improved wellbeing
  • Inclusive employment
  • Environmental sustainability
  • Local economic development
  • Reducing inequalities

In the care sector, social value isn’t separate from your mission — it’s woven into the way you deliver care.

Where It Came From: A Quick History

Social value became a formal requirement in public procurement with the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012. It requires commissioners to consider how the services they buy can deliver wider benefits to society.

In 2021, the UK government updated its procurement policy to give social value a minimum 10% weighting in contract decisions — with some tenders going much higher.

For care providers, that means social value can make or break a bid.

The 5 Pillars of Social Value (UK Government Model)

The UK’s Social Value Model outlines five key themes — all highly relevant to the care sector:

  1. COVID-19 Recovery– Helping people and communities recover from the pandemic
  2. Tackling Economic Inequality– Supporting local businesses and inclusive job creation
  3. Fighting Climate Change– Reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability
  4. Equal Opportunity– Creating fair and accessible employment and progression pathways
  5. Wellbeing– Improving health, community integration, and quality of life

Your care company likely touches many (if not all) of these already. The key is to make it visible, intentional, and measurable.

What Social Value Looks Like in a Homecare Business

You may be delivering social value without even realising it. Let’s explore what it can look like in action:

Local Employment

Hiring care staff from the communities you serve — boosting local economies and reducing travel emissions.

Inclusive Recruitment

Offering opportunities to long-term unemployed, people with disabilities, or those re-entering the workforce.

Staff Development

Providing free training, mentorship, and clear career pathways for frontline workers.

Community Support

Running events or check-in calls to reduce isolation among elderly clients.

Environmental Action

Reducing paper waste, optimising staff travel, or using eco-friendly PPE.

Financial Fairness

Paying above minimum wage, offering predictable hours, and supporting carers with childcare flexibility.

Education and Advocacy

Offering talks to local schools about careers in care or educating families on navigating the care system.

Why It Matters for Your Business

  1. It Helps You Win Contracts

Social value is now a mandatory scoring criteria in most council and NHS tenders. Showing clear, measurable social value can give you a competitive edge — especially if you’re a smaller provider up against larger agencies.

  1. It Enhances Your Reputation

Clients want to work with businesses that do good. When you can show you’re giving back, protecting the environment, and investing in people — you build trust and brand loyalty.

  1. It Attracts (and Keeps) Staff

Younger generations — especially Gen Z — are choosing employers based on values. A care company that’s committed to sustainability, inclusion, and community impact is more likely to retain passionate staff.

  1. It Future-Proofs Your Business

Sustainability and social value aren’t trends — they’re becoming regulatory expectations. The earlier you integrate them, the stronger your foundation.

How to Start Embedding Social Value

You don’t need a big team or budget to make social value part of your business model. Start with these simple steps:

Step 1: Identify What You’re Already Doing

Audit your current practices:

  • Are you hiring locally?
  • Do you offer staff development?
  • Are you reducing waste or energy use?
  • Do you support community events or charities?

Step 2: Choose 2–3 Priorities

You don’t need to do everything at once. Choose a few areas where you can make meaningful, measurable impact.

Example priorities:

  • Become a Real Living Wage employer
  • Reduce travel emissions by 15%
  • Hire 3 new carers from long-term unemployment

Step 3: Measure and Report It

What gets measured gets managed. Start tracking:

  • Number of local hires
  • Hours of free training provided
  • Reduction in paper or fuel use
  • Volunteer hours or community outreach

Tools like the Care for the Future Accreditation provide reporting templates to make this easier.

Step 4: Share Your Story

Showcase your social value in:

  • Client brochures
  • Tender applications
  • Website & social media
  • Team meetings and newsletters

You’re not bragging — you’re demonstrating your commitment.

Social Value Checklist for Care Providers

Use this quick checklist to assess your current social value strengths:

  • We hire staff from the local community
  • We provide ongoing training and career progression
  • We support people who face employment barriers
  • We offer mental health or wellbeing support for staff
  • We use eco-friendly practices (e.g. paper-lite, route optimisation)
  • We’ve partnered with local charities or schools
  • We actively measure and share our impact

What Commissioners Are Looking For

When assessing social value in tenders or contracts, commissioners want to see:

  • Clear actions, not vague promises
  • Measurable outcomes, not just good intentions
  • Alignment with their local priorities
  • Ongoing commitment, not one-off projects
  • Benefit to the community, not just your business

With the right language and a few strong examples, you can turn your values into a compelling advantage.

Final Thought: Social Value Is Who You Are

Social value isn’t a side project.

It’s the way you build a business that’s human, ethical, and impactful.

Whether you’re just starting out or scaling to serve hundreds of clients, integrating social value into your mission will help you win contracts, build trust, and create a business that truly matters.

At Care for the Future, we help care providers define, measure, and showcase their social value — with accreditation, reporting tools, and a like-minded community of change-makers.

Ready to turn your values into value? Join us at bigsistercare.com/care-for-the-future.