Frequently Asked Questions – Social Value Award – Cheshire and Merseyside

Question: Who is eligible to apply for the Social Value Award?

Answer:

The following organisations are eligible to apply across from across Cheshire and Merseyside:

  • NHS Providers;
  • Local Authorities;
  • Clinical Commissioning Groups;
  • Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise Sector (VCFSE);
  • Emergency Services: Police, Fire and Ambulance Services;
  • Education: Schools, Colleges and Universities;
  • Private Sector: Business and Industry.

Question: How long does the Social Value Award last?

Answer:

The Social Value Award is valid for 5 years, or if there is a change in circumstance which means that the organisation is no longer able to provide evidence under each of the 4 themes within the criteria.

Question: Is there a cost to the Award?

Answer:

No, there is no cost for the Award.

Question: What is the Criteria?

Answer:

The criteria have been split into 4 overarching themes:

  1. Social;
  2. Economic;
  3. Environment;
  4. Innovation.

Question: Do we need to demonstrate value in each criteria?

Answer:

No, We prefer for organisations to demonstrate their value in the areas that they believe are the strongest and can demonstrate value in.

Question: What evidence do I need to provide?

Answer:

Simply define what change(s) for your stakeholders as a result of your organisation product/services and what difference the change(s) make to them under each of the themes.

Consider adding the number of stakeholders that will be positively affected by your organisations under each of the themes.

Highlight where social value has been delivered /achieved across Cheshire and Merseyside. (linked to each of the themes)

Tell us when the social value was delivered.

Question: What happens if we are unsuccessful?

Answer:

The Social Value Business will provide feedback as to the reason for declining your application.

Question: What happens if we are successful?

Answer:

You will be notified within 7 working days from the date you submitted your information online.

Your will receive a certificate and a Hi Res copy of the Social Value Award Logo to use of your website, email signatures, marketing and communication materials.

Question: How can our organisation apply for the Social Value Award?

Answer:

  • Organisations are able to apply for the Social Value Award via the Social Value Business: or organisation’s identified at a local level such as their local Chamber of Commerce across Cheshire and Merseyside.
  • Organisations should submit evidence against the criteria provided within this guidance.
  • Organisations will need to provide evidence for ‘at least’ one of the examples within each of the 4 overarching themes within the criteria to be awarded a Social Value award.
  • There are a number of ‘must-do’s’ (see the Award Criteria) that need to be achieved by organisations before the Kite Mark can be awarded.
  • Over a period of time, organisations are able to provide evidence that will enable them to work towards the achievement of a Social Value Award.
  • By applying for the Social Value Award, organisations give their permission for their Social Value practice to be publicised on the Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership/Social Value Business website as local case studies and examples of good practice https://www.cheshireandmerseysidepartnership.co.uk/our-work/social-value

Question: Who recognises the award?

Answer:

There are more than 40 public, private and third sectors across Cheshire and Merseyside. Further information can be found on the main Award page.

Question: What if we want to have our Social Value independently audited and verified?

Answer:

We recognise that the Social Value Quality Mark CIC provides an audit and verification services and is a pathway from the Cheshire and Merseyside Social Value Award.

Any organisation that has achieved the Cheshire and Merseyside Award, will be provided with a 10% discount off of the count of an audit.

Question: Do we need to be based on Cheshire or Merseyside to apply?

Answer:

No, as long as you create value within Cheshire or Merseyside, you are eligible to apply.