Introduction
The Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 requires public bodies in England and Wales to consider how procurement could improve economic, social, and environmental wellbeing, focusing on how their actions might secure improvement and considering consultation. The Procurement Act 2023 reinforces this, with Section 12 stating that contracting authorities ‘have regard to the importance of maximising public benefit’.
Social Value Policy and Policy Partners Project
Our online Policy, Procedure and Practice websites integrate national and local policy, procedure, learning tools, advice and information for the children and adults’ sectors. Whilst they are designed and developed for use by professionals, those which are public facing – hosted on open access websites – ensure openness and accountability when working with adults with care and support needs, children, their families and carers and the wider public.
We work at each customer’s own pace, and do not employ a one-size-fits all approach.
In addition, we work with our customers to prepare for CQC / Ofsted inspections.
Our Company Ethos
The ethos of the Policy Partners Project complements the goals of Social Value:
- efficiency – we aim to produce our products as efficiently as possible to keep costs down for our customers;
- effectiveness – we design our products to maximise their effectiveness for customers in terms of impact and savings in terms of time and money;
- environmental concerns – by providing easy access to key information, our products save staff time and resources. Publishing material online reduces the need for printing, paper and associated costs; the company also ensures that its travel and production costs reflect environmental concerns. We monitor the carbon impact of our websites, using websitecarbon.com);
- responsive – we are responsive to customer needs including conducting online questionnaires and structured feedback in order to ensure that our products meet customer needs. We respond to all queries swiftly;
- partnership – we work in partnership with our each of our customers to ensure a clear understanding of their local drivers, services and communities;
- innovative and flexible – the structure of our websites are very flexible and can be revised to suit the requirements and services of our each of customers;
- growth and development – we constantly review our products to ensure that we stay up to date with latest developments in the adult and children’s sectors and relevant information technology such as accessibility. Our products grow and change in a planned way, to ensure that they remain current and relevant to our customers;
- financial renumeration: we believe in paying people well. We pay our associates well in excess of the living wage and periodic bonuses are also paid;
We are also a micro-business (with 1-9 employees) which the National Procurement Strategy for Local Government in England recognise as playing a major role in creating jobs and generating income for those on low incomes, helping to foster economic growth, social stability, and a source of innovation.
We are accredited with the Good Business Charter. This is a trusted symbol of responsible business, which demonstrates our commitment to ethical business practices.
Outcomes for Customers
Our products are dynamic and grow and develop in line with national and local policy, procedure and practice, and reflect and support changing ways of working.
We build in new functions /style, as appropriate to the customer’s site. We ensure that our products keep pace with new technology and IT security measures so that they do not get outdated or insecure. We have Cyber Essentials + accreditation, which we renew each year.
Our websites have short, medium and long term outcomes for customers:
- short term outcomes – within the first six months to one year, customers achieve an integrated set of policies, procedures and practice guidance which supports their frontline staff and managers to do their jobs, and provides information and advice to the public. We work in partnership with customers at regular meetings to action their individual ‘Go Live Plan’.
- medium term outcomes – in the second and third years of the contract customers will further achieve a fully localised and regularly updated website. We hold ongoing online meetings with staff to conduct refresher sessions to ensure that content continues to be embedded into front line practice through supervision, appraisal, induction and training. Where required, staff surveys are built in.
- long term outcomes – in subsequent years, the customer’s website has become the ‘go to place’ for front line staff and managers, and members of the public. It can continue to be revised as required by customers.
Social Value: Triple Bottom Line
In order to ensure that our products provide the maximum financial and practical benefit for our customers, we work to the social value triple bottom line.
- economic: there are no version control issues, which reduces staffing costs in terms of policy officer / staff time. Routine use of the website by staff – including the features that help embed policy into practice – will help to ensure consistent practice and therefore reduce the number of complaints as well as support efficient management of complaints and Freedom of Information Act requests, and preparation for inspections. The website supports the efficient management of performance and practice issues. It also supports the organisation to embed business plans, as well as savings targets and goals.
- environmental: printing costs are reduced. Meetings are always online, but should attendance in person ever be required we always travel by public transport wherever possible. This approach keeps environmental costs to a minimum.
- social value: this is a public facing site which can be used to raise public awareness of the provision and processes in the adult and children’s sector. It includes information and advice for members of the public, in turn helping local authorities meet key requirements of relevant legislation.
Where required, our customer sites can be used to get feedback, interact and engage with adults, children and families who use services and carers to inform the development of services in the sectors and the provision of information and advice.
Content can help raise public awareness of key issues such as safeguarding and mental capacity to support adults, children, families and carers to remain safe and well.
Content can support specific groups and respond to their needs for advice and information, particularly through our quick reads and audio content. Content can also integrate information about local community resources and groups.
For more information, please Contact Us.
