STRATEGIC INVESTMENT BOARD

SOCIAL VALUE UNIT

OVERVIEW

SPP IN NORTHEN IRELAND

The Social Value Unit assists Northern Irelands Government Departments, their agencies and arm’s length bodies to maximise the delivery of social value through public contracts.

In July 2021 the Northern Ireland Executive published Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 01/21 Scoring Social Value. PPN 01/21 mandates that from 1 June 2022 tenders must allocate a minimum of 10% of the total award criteria to social value.  This minimum weighting will apply to procurements at or above the thresholds set out in the Public Contracts Regulations. The Social Value Unit are responsible for developing guidance and training for the implementation of PPN 01/21. 

PPN 01/21 sets out that Departments should score for social value using an outcomes-based framework which has four broad themes:

  • increasing secure employment and skills
  • building ethical and resilient supply chains
  • delivering zero carbon, and
  • promoting well-being

The PPN also includes mandatory fair work requirements and the requirement to consider reserving contracts.  The Social Value Unit are also working on developing guidance on sustainable procurement more broadly beyond award criteria

SPP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Over 3,000 people who were long-term unemployed or disadvantaged in the labour market gained employment on public sector procurement contracts since 2017.
  • Bespoke approach to scoring social value in public sector contracts developed for Northern Ireland using a points based approach to social value.
  • Brokerage system developed which encourages partnerships between specific approach for SPP in IT contracts developed, including a focus on green public procurement and addressing digital inclusion.
  • Monitoring system developed which is capturing social value delivered on all contracts across Northern Ireland, such as number of and spend with social enterprises in the supply chain, number of environmental activities delivered etc.

     

    1,8m

    Population

    140

    Employees

    CONTACT

    Lisa Beers

    Senior Social Value Adviser

     

    WEBSITE

     

    More information? Email procurement@iclei.org  

    IN ACTION

    SPP POLICY AND STRATEGY

    In July 2021 the Northern Ireland Executive published Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 01/21 Scoring Social Value.  PPN 01/21 mandates that from 1 June 2022 tenders must allocate a minimum of 10% of the total award criteria to social value.  This minimum weighting will apply to procurements at or above the thresholds set out in the Public Contracts Regulations.  The PPN also includes mandatory fair work requirements and the requirement to consider reserving contracts. The Social Value Unit have also developed a Sustainability Strategy for the Strategic Investment Board.

    SPP TARGETS

    • SPP included in a proportionate way across all public sector contracts
    • Include mandatory fair work requirements in all contracts
    • Increase the use of and number of reserved contracts
    • Evaluate social value on all services and supplies contracts where the Public Contract Regulations apply

     

    SPP IN PRACTICE

    DIGITAL INCLUSION

    The Social Value Unit have developed a bespoke approach for IT contracts, with a particular focus on addressing digital exclusion.  The is has included award criteria focused on how suppliers will deliver the following:

    • Donation of hardware for people at risk of digital exclusion
    • IT skills development for people at risk
    • Financial donation towards ICT qualifications for people who are disadvantaged in the labour market
    • Knowledge transfer activities to organisations within the VCSE sector

    Progress to date:

    • Donation of 128 items of equipment and 1,129 hours of support
    • Examples include

      • Digital skills training to people with disabilities
      • Digital skills training to care leavers
      • Cybersecurity training to a number of men sheds
      • Donation of ICT devices to people with disabilities and autism, people who are homeless, young people at risk of digital exclusion

    SUPPLIER ENGAGEMENT

    The Social Value Unit engaged extensively with industry in the development of guidance documents and have developed training and resources for suppliers available here. Training for suppliers takes place quarterly.

    KEEPING TRACK OF SPP

    The Social Value Unit developed a bespoke monitoring system to capture the outcomes achieved by each contract.  This monitoring system is capturing the social value delivered on  all public sector contracts in Northern Ireland.

    SPP SECTORS

    The Social Value Unit currently advise on contracts worth over £2 billion per annum across the following industries:

    • Services
    • Supplies
    • IT
    • Construction
    EXPLORE MORE

    KEY DOCUMENTS

    FURTHER INFORMATION

    For further information on the activities of Social Value Unit visit their website:

    Website

    or email procurement@iclei.org