Social Value
The Council's updated Social Value Policy was approved by the Council’s Executive in December 2025.
The new policy allows us to accelerate social, economic and environmental impact in Bradford and ensures that every pound spent through council contracts is maximised. By embedding this approach, we can collectively create a lasting and positive impact across the Bradford District.
What is social value?
Social value refers to the positive impact organisations can have on communities that extend beyond the contract’s day-to-day responsibilities. It redefines “value for money” from cost-saving to value adding. Ultimately, social value moves beyond using money as the main indicator of value and instead puts emphasis on community impact and wellbeing.
It’s not just ‘social’ impact, it is economic and environmental benefits too – for people, for the local economy and for the physical environment.
Bradford Council’s new Social Value policy
The refreshed Social Value Policy is designed to be flexible in its application so that it is proportionate and appropriate to the contracts we apply it to. To help manage, monitor, measure and report on social value Bradford Council has adopted a set of nationally recognised measures that commissioners and procurers must choose from when preparing tenders. These measures have been mapped against our District priorities, ensuring that social value is delivered in line with the District’s needs.
In application, social value will be worth a minimum of 10% of Bradford Council’s evaluation decision.
| Contract amount | Social value requirements |
|---|---|
| Under £100k | Setting social value targets is encouraged but optional. |
| £100k and above | Social value is mandatory and required to include at least one ‘Employment and Skills’ (e.g. apprenticeships, work placements and work experience) related measure. |
Delivery partners
We encourage our suppliers to align their social value efforts with our local delivery partners and to work collaboratively with us on the design and delivery of their initiatives. By working together, we can create greater positive outcomes, simplify processes and ensure that our Bradford District communities benefit from meaningful social value initiatives.
- Bradford District Social Value delivery partners summary
- Social value financial contributions process partnering with GiveBradford
Live Social Value projects
Our live projects are focused social value initiatives designed to meet some of our greatest needs, as outlined in the Bradford District Strategy. Developed collaboratively by Bradford Council and its partners, these projects provide easily accessible and meaningful projects for commissioners and suppliers to engage with through their contractual social value commitments. The aim is to make the delivery of social value as accessible as possible, to ensure maximum and sustained impact.
- Bradford Council example live projects - Care Leavers
- Bradford Council example live projects - Bradford 2025
Contact details
In the first instance please contact your Council contract manager, or tender point of contact, for more information on social value.
However, our small Council social value team would also be delighted to offer information, advice and guidance on social value more generally – please email [email protected] and a member of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.
