For the past decade, the Social Value Act has given public authorities a legal responsibility to contribute to the social, environmental and economic sustainability of their communities, and society as a whole.
The need to adhere to recent legislative shifts in procurement, combined with the NHS’s ambition to become the world’s first net zero health system, has placed social value high on the list of ‘must dos’ for Integrated Care Systems (ICSs).
As part of the NHS family, Arden & GEM is committed to playing our part in achieving a fairer, better, greener health and care system through pioneering the aims and principles of social value. Our social value and sustainability support can be tailored to meet your bespoke needs, reflect where you are in your social value journey and complement your existing programmes of work.
Membership of the Social Value Network
The Social Value Network has been established by NHS Arden & GEM to support systems and organisations in defining and delivering their social value ambitions through membership of a collaborative network with access to expertise, knowledge, tools and resources.
An annual subscription enables members to access and share knowledge and best practice through:
- Members only meetings and events
- The ‘Vault’ – an online platform to collaborate with colleagues on social value tools, templates and resources
- Social value expertise from our Advisory Board
- Mentoring and peer learning.
By forming a network, we can grow and share skills and experience within the NHS – and the wider public sector – which enables us to invest in our people, invest in our communities and invest in our planet.
Find out more about the Social Value Network on our dedicated website.
Strategy and Consultancy Services
Our strategy and consulting offer is designed to support organisations and systems in making progress against the five areas of the national Themes, Outcomes and Measures (TOMs) methodology, developed by the Social Value Portal: jobs, growth, social, environment and innovation.
This can include:
- Coaching and mentoring support for leadership teams
- Strategy and action plan development for sustainability, carbon reduction, social value and anchor institutes
- Stakeholder engagement and reporting
- Multidisciplinary delivery support against each theme – click here to learn more
- Support to achieve the Social Value Quality Mark Health Award.
Social Value Quality Mark Health Award
We have worked with Social Value Quality Mark CIC, a leader in social value standards, to design and develop the first UK-wide social value accreditation bespoke to the health sector.
The Social Value Quality Mark Health:
- reflects national health and care policy
- responds to the needs, challenges and opportunities of the industry
- distinguishes ethical, sustainable suppliers
- recognises commitment to staff health and wellbeing
- independently verifies progress against carbon reduction plans.
If you are interested in applying for the Social Value Quality Mark Health, please visit this website and quote referral code NHSAG in your application.
Why Arden & GEM?
- As part of the NHS family, we fully understand national context, regulatory environments and local challenges
- Our 1,200 strong multidisciplinary team brings together experts with a proven, track record of delivering strategic and operational support
- Our dynamic network of credible, trusted partners provides specialist skills and capability
- We have successfully pioneered social value and sustainability initiatives across the heath and care system for the past 10 years.
Please get in touch via agem.socialvalue@nhs.net to discuss how together we can meet net zero ambitions and achieve community benefits through a social value approach that puts people at its heart.
Join our FutureNHS workspace for more information and to access free resources.
RELEVANT READING
Find out more about our social value and sustainability approach and expertise in the content below.
The role and relevance of social value in transforming the NHS
Professionals from across the health and social care sector were brought together by NHS Arden & GEM on Wednesday 6 March 2024 to unpick the role of social value in moving to a preventative, collaborative and resilient healthcare system.
Webinar: How to be successful in implementing green initiatives to reach net zero
On 27 February 2024, Arden & GEM hosted an engaging and passionate webinar focused on the NHS Green Plan.
The social value innovator – strategy and tactics for success in a cash strapped world
In this blog, Arden & GEM’s Executive Director of Strategy and Innovation, Alison Tonge, looks at the five components of a good strategy and how to demonstrate quantifiable social value impact for the bottom line.
Integrated planning support for 2024/25
Integrated planning support to recover core service delivery and maximise productivity.
The role of finance in driving down NHS carbon emissions
Our Social Value Lead, Becky Jones, and Director at the Carbon Neutral Group, George Curtis, discuss the important role that finance and procurement teams have to play in making a meaningful dent in the NHS’s carbon footprint in this article for Public Finance.
Social Value Network launches new online platform to support members achieve their social value ambitions
A new online platform has been launched by the Social Value Network to enable members to discover, store and share knowledge and best practice.
Leicestershire Partnership and Northamptonshire Healthcare Associate University Group joins Social Value Network to step up delivery on its social value charter
Leicestershire Partnership and Northamptonshire Healthcare Associate University Group has joined the Social Value Network, hosted by NHS Arden & GEM, to support delivery of the priorities and commitments outlined in its social value charter.
New social value award launched to recognise and celebrate positive impact in healthcare
The first UK-wide social value accreditation for the health sector has been launched by social value standards leader, Social Value Quality Mark CIC, in collaboration with health systems support partner, NHS Arden & GEM.
Working together to maximise social value in healthcare
Colleagues from the NHS and wider public sector came together with private and voluntary sector participants at Arden & GEM’s recent ‘Raising social value standards in healthcare’ webinar to share their experiences and learn more about the support available to achieve their social value ambitions.
Hear from our Social Value Specialist at the NHS Estates Conference
Arden & GEM’s Social Value Specialist, Becky Jones, will be joining the NHS Estates Conference on 28 February 2024 to discuss how to leverage the NHS estate to deliver social value.