The Future of Social Value - What’s Next?

With the sector expanding at pace, organisations are now looking ahead to 2030–2035 planning, asking what the next decade of social value will demand. At TMSV we already see the direction of travel. Culture and Wellbeing are emerging as major priorities, and innovation — which has always been at the heart of social value — is becoming the defining force shaping what comes next.

To meet this growing need, we now offer a suite of 26 training modules, each designed to support the full breadth of social value delivery. Organisations want more than compliance; they want the knowledge, accreditation, and strategic insight needed to build robust social value strategies, deliver measurable impact, and secure commercial advantage. Social value and sustainability professionals are now critical roles within any business, and the demand for high quality learning has never been stronger.

Co production remains the key. Together with our partners, we continue to support not only knowledge based learning and qualifications, but also the development of future focused strategies that help organisations realise the ambitions of PPN 06/20 across communities. As a leaders in this space, we know that we must evolve too — moving with the needs of our clients, partners, and the communities we serve.

Total Management of Social Value (www.tm-sv.co.uk), reaching more organisations and simplify the journey for our clients, with an end to end solution. Delivering services that are essential in today’s ever changing social value landscape.

The Current Landscape: Skills, Accreditation, and Business Demand” — Polished Section

Today, the social value landscape looks very different from the early days of the Act. Businesses now recognise that having knowledge, skills, and accredited learning in social value is essential — not only for advancing individual careers, but for enabling organisations to build strong strategies, deliver measurable impact, and win (and retain) commercial contracts.

Social Value and Sustainability professionals have become critical roles within any modern organisation. They influence procurement, culture, community engagement, ESG reporting, and long term business resilience. As a result, demand for deeper knowledge, stronger frameworks, and high quality training is growing rapidly.

At TMSV, we’ve seen this shift first hand. Our demand for courses, qualifications, and professional development has never been higher. Organisations want their teams to be confident, credible, and compliant — and individuals want to stand out in a competitive, fast growing job market.

That’s why we remain committed to raising standards through our Ofqual regulated and CPD accredited qualifications. We are proud to be the first and only qualification provider dedicated specifically to social value. And we’re continuing to expand our offer by partnering with experts in Culture, Health & Wellbeing, and EDI — ensuring that our programmes reflect the full breadth of what social value truly requires.

As always, everything we deliver is grounded in lived experience and a person centred approach. This is the TMSV way — practical, human, and designed to create real change.

The Power of Community and Partnerships — And Why They Matter More Than Ever

Today, many 3rd sector organisations are working directly with businesses and delivering brilliant work. But the call out is clear: we need even deeper engagement between business and the 3rd sector to ensure social value strategies deliver the right outcomes.

For social value to succeed, it must be cascaded across entire systems so everyone understands both the social and commercial importance of this work. That includes the MOJ, DWP, further education providers, and learners entering the workforce. I often say social value was in nappies for a long while, then moved to kindergarten and then primary school. And while we’re still in the early years, the growth we’re seeing — in learners, clients, and the wider culture shift — shows real momentum.

If you’re leading a business, from global organisations to SMEs, social value is critical to your commercial growth today, and even more critical to your future sustainability, wellbeing, and culture — for your employees, partners, and the communities.

Risks to Look Out For — Protect Your People, Your Projects, and Your Brand

As social value grows, so do the risks. One of the biggest is failing to support the frontline employees who deliver social value projects every day. They are the face of your organisation in communities, and without the right training, guidance, and safeguarding, you risk inconsistent delivery — and reputational damage.

Another growing risk is greenwashing and self admiration on social media. In a world that demands transparency, posting exaggerated claims or celebrating impact that isn’t real is not only distasteful — it undermines trust. Social value must be authentic, measurable, and grounded in lived experience, not marketing spin.

Protecting your brand means investing in your people, your partners, and your processes. Social value is no longer a side project; it’s a strategic function that requires competence, credibility, and accountability at every level.

What Organisations Should Be Doing Right Now

If you want to deliver meaningful, credible, and commercially valuable Social Value, here are the actions that matter:

• Senior leaders must actively engage with their Sustainability or Social Value leads This isn’t a back office function anymore — it’s a strategic driver of growth, culture, and reputation.

• Train all employees in Social Value and Sustainability Frontline staff, managers, new starters, apprentices — everyone needs to understand the “why” and the “how.”

• Start planning now for 2030–2035 expectations The next decade will demand stronger Culture & Wellbeing, innovation, and co production. Don’t wait to be told.

• Put Culture & Wellbeing at the heart of your strategy This is where the biggest impact — and the biggest risks — will sit.

• Recruit differently — and more diversely Social Value thrives when lived experience, community insight, and diverse perspectives shape decisions.

• Remember: we are all part of a community, inside and outside of work You and employees are not separate from the communities you serve. We are all community.

• Choose your partners wisely Social Value is the “new thing” — but not everyone can deliver what you need. Look for credibility, accreditation, and lived experience.

• It should not cost the earth Good Social Value is efficient, strategic, and sustainable —

• Listen, learn, and build practices that last The best results come from organisations that move beyond one off community projects and embed Social Value into long term business strategy.