Social value answers
Social value answer checker
Social value questions ask what you will deliver for the buyer's chosen outcomes, not what your company believes in. Buyers may use the government Social Value Model, a measurement framework such as TOMs, or their own priorities — the tender documents will say.
Who it's for
- SMEs answering council, NHS or central government social value questions
- Bid writers handling social value sections
- Suppliers new to measurable commitments
Common weak points
- Values statements instead of commitments
- Commitments not tied to the outcome in the question
- No numbers, timescales or reporting
- Promises the business can't afford to deliver
- Past activity unrelated to this contract
Pre-submission review
What TenderChecker reviews
Plain-English feedback on buyer intent, gaps, missing evidence and improved wording. Document review and writing support — not legal or formal procurement advice.
Check 1
Whether the answer targets the outcome asked for
Check 2
Specific, measurable commitments
Check 3
Timescales and reporting
Check 4
Deliverability
Check 5
Evidence of past activity
Example issues the buyer may mark down
Common patterns in this type of tender answer.
Wrong outcome
The question names one outcome; the answer describes activity for a different one.
Nothing to measure
'We will support the local community' gives the buyer nothing to monitor.
No reporting
There's no explanation of how progress will be reported during the contract.
Weak vs stronger wording
Fictional example — council contract, local employment outcome.
Weak draft
We are proud to support our local community and will look to employ local people wherever possible.
Stronger wording
During the contract we will [insert number] of [insert opportunities, e.g. work placements] for [insert target group], working with [insert partner]. We will advertise [insert roles] through [insert local channels]. Progress will be reported [insert frequency] using [insert measures].
Fictional example. Replace each [placeholder] with facts you can verify — never invent figures.
Check your tender answer free
Paste one tender question and your draft answer. Get buyer intent, covered points, genuine gaps and a checked rewrite suggestion before you submit.
Frequently asked
Will the review tell me whether I will win?⌄
No. Nobody outside the evaluation panel can predict scores. The review shows where your answer doesn't clearly address the question or criteria, and where evidence is missing, so you can fix it before you submit.
Is there a required social value weighting?⌄
It depends on the buyer. Central government bodies in scope of PPN 002 apply a minimum 10% weighting; other buyers set their own. Check the tender documents.
Guides for this type of tender
Social value in UK tenders after PPN 002: how to write a measurable commitment
Answer the buyer's chosen social value outcome with specific, measurable commitments you can actually deliver and report.
Social value tender answer for small businesses: realistic, measurable commitments
Make proportionate, deliverable social value commitments linked to the buyer's stated priorities.
Cleaning tender environmental answer: products, waste and travel without greenwash
Describe genuine environmental practices you can evidence, and how you'd report them to the buyer.
Tender added value and innovation answer: what counts and what doesn't
Offer a few relevant, deliverable improvements and say what they'd achieve and at what cost.
Last reviewed 7 October 2026.
Related reviews
Council tender help
/council-tender-response-help
Bid answer review
/bid-answer-review
Framework application checker
/framework-application-checker
No win guarantee