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The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), the largest professional body in the world and YPO public sector procurement specialists, have forged a partnership to offer CIPS members knowledge resources to support public sector procurement.

YPO is a publicly-owned organisation supplying products and services to a wide range of customers such as schools, local authorities, charities and the emergency services.

The public sector has a responsibility to source better savings, service and quality. As a CIPS Knowledge partner YPO will also provide information on social value - a concept that looks at the collective benefits to the wider community, including the non-financial impact of organisations such as wellbeing of individuals and community, social capital and the environment. 

The papers available include a summary, ‘What is Social Value?’ which highlights the key points such as how organisational spend can drive social and economic opportunities to match the needs of those most vulnerable in our society and protecting the planet. Examples of social value include:

• Apprenticeships scheme
• Training programmes for staff
• Work placement and work experience
• Increasing recycling and reducing landfill
• Supporting local business with sourcing contracts
• Using more SMEs
• Charitable donations and awareness raising

Another paper offers insights on how to use social value for smarter procurement activities and how to measure the effects of those activities through online portals.  An additional paper offers advice and guidance on the requirements of the UK’s 2015 Modern Slavery Act.

David Noble, Group CEO, CIPS said:

“The public sector has a huge responsibility, and is naturally under intense scrutiny to do the right thing, lead the way in good practice and make the most of every pound from the taxpayer. It is resources like these that ensure responsibility for buying results with the best outcome possible not only for the organisation itself but also the environment, local community and local economies.

“From eking out slavery in supply chains, to using more SMEs to match central Government’s commitment to support small businesses, every public sector department can use social value and procurement combined for the greater good.”

Simon Hill, Managing Director, YPO said:

“We believe that good procurement can help make the world a better place. Our choices and those of our suppliers continuously impact our environment, economy and the society that we all live in. As responsible businesses, we can all do our part to be sustainable and protect our customers, employees and suppliers by understanding social value. These days, customers expect more for less and it’s not enough just to offer a great price, service or quality any more. Customers are asking us about social value.

With our CIPS Knowledge Partnership, we’re aiming to provide members with insight and resources on social value as a concept and how to implement, measure and maintain it.”

The partnership launched recently and CIPS members can log into the MyCIPS area of the website access the papers.