Echelon has developed impactful initiatives that are delivering genuinely beneficial outcomes for local residents and communities. Our new credits system, the Social Value Builder, was developed to help organisations determine their social value requirements at the outset but build flexibility in, to enable these to change over the contract term.

The social value requirements are developed based on the likely value and scope of the contract, to ensure they are appropriate. Through the procurement process, bidders are required to demonstrate how they will meet the minimum requirements.

The tender evaluation is a combination of qualitative and quantitative review, which is then combined with any extra social value that bidders have offered.

Creating real longevity and leaving a legacy of lasting improvement from apprenticeships, life skills support and harnessing the contractors’ capacity to improve the life of residents is the key to genuine social value. Through many of the contracts we’ve helped to procure, contractors offer specific support to residents like mentoring, coaching, help with job applications and DIY workshops as well as supporting work experience opportunities.