What Is The Social Value Model?

What is the Social Value Model?

The Social Value Model (SVM) details how UK Central Government public sector bodies must embed social value requirements into their tenders.

It is published by the Cabinet Office via a Public Procurement Notice (PPN) and must be used by all UK Central Government Departments, their Executive Agencies and arms-length bodies. That’s almost 460 different organisations.

The Social Value Model does not have to be followed by Local Authorities in England or public sector bodies belonging to the devolved nations but they can choose to use it voluntarily if they wish.

There are currently two different versions of the Social Value Model in use:

  1. The Original or Old Model: PPN06/20 which was first published in September 2020; and the

  2. New Model: PPN002 which was published in February 2025.

Both models are operating side by side until 1 October 2025 with Public Sector Buyers able to choose which one they want to use.

From 1 October 2025 Public Sector Buyers will have to use PPN002.

Social Value Model Timeline

Both ‘old’ and ‘new’ versions of the social value model contain two main parts:

PART ONE

is a framework which consists of a set of standard questions, a list of possible social value outcomes, and some standard reporting metrics.

Standard Model Social Value Question

Although this is described as the ‘Question’ It’s actually not.

Think of this as the different sections you need to include in your answer.

Commercial teams are allowed to tailor them so they can vary slightly, depending on the tender.

Menu of The Social Value Outcomes

This is the “Question”

This is the important bit; these are the questions you need to answer.

The procurer doesn’t always write these out in full - sometimes they provide a link to the model, so it’s very important that you know what these are, as you will be evaluated against them.

The procurer picks the ones it considers most relevant for the contract.

Can also be tailored - while it's not very common, it does occur.

Standard Reporting Metrics

Most social value outcomes have one or more recommended standard reporting metric(s) that correspond to it.

Suppliers are expected to report against these standard metrics, as well as any additional metrics relevant to the specific commitments they choose to make.

PART TWO

Provides guidance for Public Sector Buyers on how apply the model in their contracts.

These instructions cover a wide range of areas, including:

  • How social value should be considered during the early stages of the

  • procurement process and incorporated into pre-market engagement

  • How questions should be structured

  • How responses should be scored and evaluated

  • How social value delivery should be managed post contract award

This guidance is also where it is mandated that social value must account for a minimum weighting of 10% of the overall tender evaluation.

How does the Social Value Model work?

Public Sector Buyers use the model by thinking about the contract they are letting and choosing the most relevant, proportionate and non discriminatory social value outcomes which they want to see created.

They then take the standard model question, insert the outcomes they have chosen and use this to create the social value question you will see in the tender.

If they think more than one outcome is relevant then this is where you will see more than one social value question.

Where can I find the Social Value Model?

Both versions are accessible via the Government Spending section on the UK government’s website GOV.UK.

Links to view the old and new Social Value Models

View the Old Social Value Model. PPN 06/20

View the New Social Value Model PPN 002


What’s Next?

At Samtaler, we understand the importance of social value to help businesses become better and stronger. To find out how we can help send an email to hello@samtaler.co.uk

Sign up to The Social Value Files for inspiration and practical ideas to create social value for your business. hello@samtaler.co.uk , complete our contact form or book a discovery call

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Complete Guide to the New Social Value Model

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The Old Social Value Model - What is it and why is it being phased out?