Efficio has a long-standing commitment to improving the social, environmental and economic wellbeing of the communities in which we operate. As a specialist procurement and supply chain consultancy, we recognise that our greatest opportunities to generate social value are twofold: through our own operations and workforce practices, and through the advice, guidance and strategic support we provide to clients across the public and private sectors. 

We recognise the role public procurement plays in translating public policy objectives into practical outcomes. Our approach is aligned, where applicable, with the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012, Procurement Policy Note 002: The Social Value Model, the National Procurement Policy Statement and the Procurement Act 2023. We also recognise that social value requirements vary across central government, local government, health, education, transport, utilities and other public sector bodies. 

Efficio applies this policy across our public sector work where relevant and proportionate, and in line with each client's legal, regulatory, policy and governance requirements. The policy is intended to provide clients, contracting authorities and partners with confidence that Efficio has a structured, current and practical approach to social value. 

This policy sets out Efficio's approach to creating, supporting, evaluating and delivering social value. It covers the way we advise clients, the way we respond to public sector procurements as a supplier, and the way we manage our own corporate responsibilities. 

The purpose of this policy is to: 

• Maintain a current and proportionate approach to social value that reflects the Social Value Model and wider public sector procurement priorities 
• Ensure that Efficio is complaint and delivers social value 
• Support clients to embed social value throughout procurement strategy, market engagement, tender design, evaluation, contracting and contract management 
• Ensure social value requirements are relevant to the contract, proportionate, transparent, capable of being measured and consistent with equal treatment and non-discrimination principles 
• Support public sector clients in creating meaningful economic, social and environmental outcomes through procurement and supply chain activity 
• Promote fair work, inclusive opportunity, sustainable procurement, community benefit, responsible supply chains and workforce wellbeing
• Provide a clear policy position that can be referenced in bids, supplier due diligence and client assurance processes 
   

This policy applies to Efficio's UK operations and to public sector engagements where social value requirements may be relevant. It informs our approach to bid development, procurement advisory work, supplier evaluation, contract management design, internal procurement, people practices and sustainability activity. 

PPN 002 applies directly to in-scope central government procurements. Efficio also applies the principles of the Social Value Model across our wider public sector work where applicable, recognising that many contracting authorities adopt, adapt or supplement the model through local social value frameworks, sector-specific requirements and place-based priorities. 

Where a client applies a different social value framework, Efficio aligns with the client's stated priorities while retaining the core principles of relevance, proportionality, transparency, equal treatment, non-discrimination, deliverability and measurable public benefit.

Efficio's social value approach is informed by the following public procurement and policy frameworks: 

• The Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012, which requires relevant public authorities to consider how what is being procured can improve economic, social and environmental wellbeing, 
• The Procurement Act 2023 and the National Procurement Policy Statement, including the objectives of value for money, maximising public benefit, transparency, integrity and reducing barriers for SMEs, 
• PPN 002: Taking account of social value in the award of central government contracts and the accompanying Social Value Model, 
• The Social Value Model's five missions, eight outcomes, model question, model award criteria, sub-criteria and Standard Reporting Metrics
• Wider legal and policy considerations relevant to procurement design, including equal treatment, non-discrimination, accessibility, the Public Sector Equality Duty where applicable, responsible supply chain management and environmental sustainability

Where Efficio supports an in-scope central government procurement under PPN 002, we support the application of the Social Value Model, including selection of relevant and proportionate outcomes, the use of appropriate model award criteria and sub-criteria, a minimum 10% social value weighting or equivalent measurement where applicable, and the translation of successful supplier commitments into contract terms, Social Value KPIs, Social Value Performance Indicators or other measurable obligations. 

For wider public sector clients, Efficio applies the same principles where applicable and proportionate, while reflecting each client's own statutory responsibilities, local priorities, procurement policy and governance arrangements. 

Efficio aligns its approach to the current Social Value Model by considering how procurement and supply chain activity can contribute to the government's missions and related outcomes. The table below summarises how this is applied in a public sector context. 

This alignment is applied in a contract-specific way. Efficio does not treat social value as a generic corporate statement, it must be relevant to the subject matter of the procurement, proportionate to the nature, cost and complexity of the requirement, and capable of being delivered and evidenced through the contract.

Efficio's primary social value impact comes from the work we deliver for clients. Through procurement strategy, category design, supplier engagement, evaluation frameworks, operating model design, contract management and commercial transformation, we help clients use spend more deliberately to generate wider social, economic and environmental benefit. 

We support clients across the commercial lifecycle in implement Social Value, where applicable, by:

When Efficio responds to public sector procurements, we develop social value responses that are specific to the contract and the client's selected outcomes. We do not rely solely on generic corporate social responsibility statements. Existing policies, relationships, tools and capabilities may be referenced where they support the delivery of a contract-specific commitment. 

Where a social value response is required, Efficio seeks to ensure that commitments are specific, measurable, time bound, deliverable and supported by an appropriate implementation plan. Bid commitments are reviewed to confirm that they are relevant to the opportunity, proportionate to the contract, capable of being evidenced and consistent with the client's evaluation and reporting requirements. 

Where Efficio is awarded a public sector contract that includes social value commitments, we work with the client to embed those commitments into contract governance, reporting and performance management arrangements as appropriate.

Alongside the value we create through client advisory work, Efficio maintains corporate practices that support responsible business, inclusive growth, ethical supply chains, sustainability and wellbeing. These practices provide a foundation for contract-specific social value delivery where relevant, but they do not replace the need for tailored commitments in individual procurements. 

7.1 Fair work, equality and inclusion 

Efficio is committed to maintaining a fair, inclusive and equitable workplace. We seek to provide equal access to recruitment, development, progression and reward opportunities, and to build a culture in which people from different backgrounds can contribute and thrive. 

7.2 Skills, capability and opportunity 

Efficio invests in the development of our people through training, mentoring, performance management and career development. We also recognise the role that professional services firms can play in building skills, improving employability and supporting access to careers in procurement, supply chain and consulting. 

7.3 Responsible supply chains and SME/VCSE access 

Efficio promotes responsible procurement practices in our own supply chain and in the advice we provide to clients. We support proportionate supplier requirements, transparent evaluation, fair payment practices and approaches that reduce unnecessary barriers for SMEs, VCSEs, start-ups, mutuals and diverse suppliers. 

7.4 Environmental sustainability 

Efficio is committed to reducing environmental impact through our own operations and by supporting clients to embed sustainable procurement practices. This includes considering carbon reduction, resource efficiency, responsible sourcing, supplier environmental performance and the long-term sustainability of supply chains. 

7.5 Community impact and wellbeing 

Efficio recognises the importance of strong communities and healthy, productive workforces. We support community-focused activity where appropriate and promote workplace practices that contribute to physical and mental wellbeing, resilience, inclusion and productivity. 

Efficio supports a practical and evidence-based approach to social value measurement. For client engagements, this means helping clients identify appropriate metrics, reporting mechanisms and contract management processes at the right stage of the procurement lifecycle. 

Where the Social Value Model applies, Efficio supports the use of Standard Reporting Metrics where appropriate. Where contract-specific commitments are made, we support clients in converting those commitments into measurable obligations, which may include Social Value KPIs, Social Value Performance Indicators, contract terms, reporting templates and evidence requirements. 

We recognise that effective social value delivery depends on governance beyond the point of award. Efficio therefore supports clients to define ownership, reporting frequency, evidence standards, escalation routes and continuous improvement processes, so that commitments made during procurement can be monitored through delivery. 

Efficio reviews this policy at least annually, or sooner where there are material changes to public procurement policy, social value guidance or client expectations. The policy is supported by internal capability building, lessons learned from client engagements and ongoing review of market practice. 

Social value commitments made in bids are subject to internal review to ensure they are relevant, proportionate, deliverable and capable of being evidenced. Client-facing teams are encouraged to consider social value early in project mobilisation, so that requirements are designed and delivered as part of the overall commercial strategy rather than as a standalone exercise. 

Efficio remains committed to developing our approach as the Social Value Model, the National Procurement Policy Statement and public sector expectations continue to evolve.