Standard on applying Social Value Principle 7: Verify the result

Last updated: 2022

This document sets the SVI Standard to apply Principle 7: Verify the result. The essence of this Principle is to take action; to make decisions about social value in response to data and measurement.

Use this resource to:

  • Verification, assurance and certification: Ensure stakeholders are involved in reviewing the final results and verifying them assurance is being provided on behalf of the people who experience the changes in their life.

Standard on applying Social Value Principle 6: Be Transparent

Last updated: 2022

This document sets the SVI Standard to apply Principle 6: Be Transparent. The essence of this Principle is to take action; to make decisions about social value in response to data and measurement.

Use this resource to:

  • Communicate: Demonstrate the basis on which the analysis may be considered accurate and honest, and show that it will be reported to and discussed with stakeholders.

Standard on applying Social Value Principle 8: Be Responsive

Last updated: 2022

This document sets the SVI Standard to apply Principle 8: Be Responsive. The essence of this Principle is to take action; to make decisions about social value in response to data and measurement.

Use this resource to:

  • Implement: Create a structured ‘impact management approach’ that can guide decision making at strategic, tactical, and operational levels to optimise impacts on wellbeing for all materially affected stakeholder groups. This means implementing activities that are designed to maximise the extent and rate of positive changes in wellbeing, whilst also identifying and eliminating activities that result in negative changes in wellbeing as fast as possible.

Report Assurance Standard

Last updated: 2018

Report Assurance standard that provides criteria to assess the application of SVI’s Social Value Principles as evidenced in a report. Assurance is conducted acting in the interests of the affected stakeholders, an important distinction versus other assurance standards that are currently available.

Use this resource to:

  • Assure a report that has been prepared in accordance with the Principles of Social Value. The Principles of Social Value and associated practice standards help organisations measure and manage the social value generated through their business activities. This means the assurance standard is best applied to a report that has been prepared in accordance with the principles from the outset. The assurance standard is used to assess application of the principles, it does not assure accuracy of performance information.

Social Value Management Certificate

Last updated: 2021

This certification process assesses to what extent the Principles of Social Value are embedded in an organisation’s systems and processes. The certificate has three levels that set out a progression pathway for organisations looking to continuously improve how they optimise social value for their stakeholders.

Use this resource for the following Actions of Impact Management:

  • Verification, assurance and certification: Certify that an organisation’s systems and processes adhere to the Principles of Social Value.

Standard on applying Social Value Principle 4: Only Include What is Material

Last updated: 2018

Standard and guidance on how to apply the fourth of SVI’s Social Value Principles.

Use this resource to:

  • Measure, assess and value: Follow the guidance to determine whether an impact is significant to people or the environment, requiring management.

The Guide to Social Return on Investment (SROI)

Last updated: 2012

This guidance document provides a framework for calculating Social Return on Investment (SROI), which can be used by anyone interested in measuring, managing and accounting for social value or social impact

Use this resource for the following Actions of Impact Management:

  • Measure, assess and value: Monetise the social value an organisation creates, preserves or erodes for its stakeholders. This methodology guides an organisation through the process of valuing impact from the perspective of all affected stakeholders.

Standard on Applying Social Value Principle 3: Value the Things that Matter

Last updated: 2019

Standard and guidance on how to apply the third of SVI’s Social Value Principles.

Use this resource to:

  • Measure, assess and value: Use the guidance to value impacts from the perspective of affected stakeholders. This standard emphasises the importance of using data collected directly from stakeholders.

Standard on Applying Social Value Principle 2: Understand What Changes (Part 1 – Creating Well Defined Outcomes)

Last updated: 2015

Standard and guidance on how to apply the second of SVI’s Social Value Principles.

Use this resource to:

  • Measure, assess and value: Engage with stakeholders to collaboratively agree on which outcomes to measure. This practice standard contains guidance on how an organisation can examine ‘chains of events’ and engage with stakeholders to decide the most appropriate point of measurement to support management decision-making (framed as ‘well-defined’ outcomes).

Standard on Applying Social Value Principle 2: Understand What Changes (Part 2 – Designing Indicators (Metrics) to Measure the Outcomes)

Last updated: n/a

Forthcoming: Standard and guidance on how to apply the second of SVI’s Social Value Principles.

Use this resource to:

  • Measure, assess and value: Design custom metrics. This practice standard builds on Part 1, which outlines how to design custom metrics to measure a ‘well-defined’ outcome.