Impact Assured: a new way to evidence value

Impact assured logo

The ‘Impact Assured’ Certificate provides independent assurance of an organisation’s social value claims.

Under the new Public Procurement Act, there is greater onus on suppliers to be transparent. Local Authorities must also show they have applied due diligence when making purchasing decisions.

To be ‘Impact Assured’, suppliers are audited in line with contractual obligations, verified evidence, and compliance with the Public Procurement Act 2023.

Suppliers are asked to:

  • Provide robust and verifiable evidence of their social value delivery, such as employment records, community investment reports, or environmental impact assessments.
  • Pass an independent review of all data and claims submitted, ensuring compliance with procurement regulations.
  • Demonstrate alignment with approved social value measurement frameworks and reporting platforms.

Demonstrating contractual delivery and performance

Social Value Quality Mark CIC also works with authorities and suppliers to conduct audits at key intervals across the contract lifecycle or as required.

  • At the point of tender assessment – To assess whether historic claims are accurate and to ensure future plans are robust, compliant, measurable and realistic.
  • Annually: To monitor ongoing progress, identify potential issues, and maintain compliance.
  • End of contract: To assess the overall achievement of social value commitments and evaluate the long-term impact of initiatives.
  • Ad hoc: To address emerging risks, concerns, or significant project changes that require immediate attention.

The resulting independent report highlights successes, identifies areas for improvement, and provides a pathway for suppliers to continuously improve their social value contributions.

To be ‘Impact Assured’, suppliers must undergo a review process. The purpose of the review is to provide a robust, independent assessment of organisational performance in delivering contract-specific social value commitments. It reviews progress towards stated social value outcomes by:

  • Confirming the delivery of self-reported outputs
    against each social value commitment, as agreed
    within the contract.

  • Reviewing supporting documentation to verify
    the legitimacy, accuracy, and alignment of reported
    outputs with contractual obligations.

  • Validating relationships with delivery partners and
    beneficiaries to ensure authenticity and direct
    contribution to social value outcomes.

  • Confirming robust management to verify how social
    value is being effectively performance managed within
    the contract.

  • Engaging with strategically important delivery
    partners to triangulate evidence and gain deeper
    insight into collaborative impacts.

  • Providing an independent, professional
    assessment of the financial proxies and assumptions
    used in calculating the economic and social value
    generated.

  • Identifying strengths, risks, and areas for
    improvement to enhance future delivery,
    transparency, and value for money.

Benefits to Buyers

Prove compliance, manage risk and verify local delivery.

  • Supports buyers in the effective management of social value within a tender/contract document.
  • Provides an independent assessment of the organisation’s social value performance.
  • De-risks the inclusion of social value or a higher weighting of social value within a tender.
  • Holds suppliers to account for transparently reported social value.
  • Promotes stronger bids and confirms outputs that
  • are being or have been delivered locally*.
  • Reviews and addresses underperformance and establishes independent action planning.
  • Creates an independent record of organisational social value performance for ongoing reference.

Benefits to Suppliers

Build trust, credibility and reputation with your buyers.

  • Prove compliance, manage risk and verify local delivery.
  • Helps your organisation to stand out within
    Public Sector Procurement.
  • Aligns with the Procurement Act 2023, which calls
    for compliance and transparency.
  • Demonstrates transparent management, performance
    and reporting of social value to your buyers.
  • Provides buyers with confidence that you have effective processes in place to manage and deliver
    social value in the UK.
  • Helps reduce the resource burden on the buyer
    during the contract management stage.
  • Validates your organisation for its social
    value performance, delivery and management
    across specific contracts and projects.