Social Value Portal
Commercial platform supporting social value measurement and reporting; maintains the National TOMs framework.
Definition
The Social Value Portal is a commercial platform supporting social value measurement and reporting in UK public sector. The Portal maintains the National TOMs (Themes, Outcomes, and Measures) framework, the most widely-used UK social value evaluation methodology. The Portal also provides tools for buyers (TOMs-based bid evaluation, contract monitoring) and suppliers (commitment generation, performance reporting) to operationalise social value across procurement and contract delivery.
How it works in practice
The National TOMs framework is the practical standard for UK public sector social value evaluation: hundreds of local authorities, NHS trusts, and central government departments use TOMs as the basis for their social value evaluation. The framework defines: the five themes (Jobs, Growth, Social, Environmental, Wellbeing), the outcomes under each theme, the specific measures with associated proxy values (financial estimates of social value generated per unit), and the reporting methodology. Buyers use TOMs at bid evaluation by specifying which measures suppliers should address and what target values; suppliers commit to specific quantified outcomes; the Portal aggregates committed values to a total social value figure. Reporting during delivery uses the same TOMs taxonomy: suppliers report actual outcomes against committed measures quarterly. The Social Value Portal offers buyer and supplier subscriptions to its platform tools; the underlying TOMs framework is publicly documented. Many UK public sector social value evaluations explicitly reference TOMs and the Social Value Portal in procurement documentation. The PA 2023 transparency regime makes social value commitments and delivery increasingly visible through Award Notices and Transparency Notices.
For suppliers active in UK public sector social value the National TOMs framework is essentially the dominant evaluation methodology. Strong bid responses connect commitments to specific TOMs measures with realistic proxy-value-aligned commitment levels; under-evidenced or unrealistic commitments score lower than substantive TOMs-aligned ones. KimonBids includes a social value generator that helps suppliers translate buyer TOMs requirements into specific, evidenced, contract-ready commitments scaled appropriately to the contract value.
Common questions
Is using the Social Value Portal mandatory?
No, the Portal is commercial. The National TOMs framework it maintains is widely adopted but not mandatory; buyers can use alternative social value evaluation methodologies. Many do use TOMs because of its widespread adoption and standardisation across UK public sector.
How are TOMs proxy values calculated?
The Social Value Portal calculates and publishes proxy values for each TOMs measure based on economic research and sector-specific data. Proxy values are typically updated annually; they represent the estimated social value generated per unit of the measure (per training hour delivered, per apprenticeship created, etc.). Specific procurements may use the published National TOMs proxy values or customised values.
Do I need a Social Value Portal subscription as a supplier?
Not strictly required; the National TOMs framework is publicly documented and can be used without subscription. Subscription provides operational tools (commitment generation, performance tracking) that support efficient social value bid preparation and contract delivery. Many active public sector suppliers find the subscription worthwhile.