The Most Common Mistakes Suppliers Make in Social Value Responses

Social value is now routinely worth 10–20% of tender evaluation in the UK—and suppliers often lose significant marks unnecessarily.

Here are the most common pitfalls.

1. Making Vague, Generic Commitments

“I will create jobs.”
“I will support the community.”

Buyers want specific, measurable, time-bound commitments.

2. Overcommitting Without a Delivery Plan

A promise unsupported by capability weakens your entire submission.

Always include:

• Who will deliver the activity

• How it will be monitored

• What evidence will be provided

3. Ignoring Local Priorities

Social value must be place-based.
Always map activities to:

• Local authority priorities

• Health & Wellbeing strategies

• Levelling Up needs

• Local employment and education gaps

4. No Evidence Mechanism

If you cannot evidence it, you cannot claim it.
Set up internal systems early—before bidding.

5. Treating Social Value as an Add-On

It should be integrated with:

• Your workforce

• Your community initiatives

• Your sustainability approach

• Your organisational values

Summary:
Social value is an opportunity—not an administrative burden.
Suppliers who approach it with clarity and sincerity consistently score higher.