Unlocking Social Value in Education: A Thought Paper for Multi-Academy Trusts

Introduction

As a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT), your responsibility extends beyond delivering academic success. You shape lives, communities, and futures. One of the most powerful yet underused tools in your Trust’s arsenal is social value—a way to ensure your decisions positively impact students, staff, and the wider community.

At Dukefield Group, we believe social value isn’t just a box to tick—it’s a principle to embed. This paper outlines what social value is, why it matters now, and how you as a Trust can harness it to maximise the return on every decision you make.

What Is Social Value?

Social value means looking beyond the price tag to the wider economic, environmental, and social benefits of the services and partnerships you invest in.

For your Trust, that could include:

  • Hiring suppliers who offer local job creation or apprenticeships

  • Supporting students through mentoring, talks or work placements

  • Reducing environmental impact via sustainable procurement

  • Engaging suppliers who actively reinvest in the communities you serve

  • Choosing partners with strong values in diversity, inclusion, and opportunity

Since the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012, Trusts spending public funds are expected to consider social value in procurement. But legal compliance is only the starting point. The real value lies in the opportunity to multiply your impact—without spending more.

Why It Matters

You’re a Public Body, Not Just an Educator

Your decisions have ripple effects across the local economy and community. Social value aligns your spending with your mission.

It Enhances Stakeholder Confidence

Governors, parents, and Ofsted are paying increasing attention to the broader contributions MATs make. A clear social value strategy sets your Trust apart.

You Get More for the Same Budget

A print supplier who trains apprentices, supports school events, or helps students prepare for employment offers far greater value than one who simply delivers paper.

You Support Local Growth

Working with suppliers that hire locally and engage in community activity helps strengthen the very neighbourhoods your schools are part of.

You Drive Real-World Student Benefit

Social value is an open door to connect students with role models, workplace insights, voluntary opportunities, and life skills.

What You Should Expect from Suppliers

Social value should be visible, measurable, and locally relevant. Every supplier your Trust works with should be able to:

  • Offer clear community-focused commitments

  • Deliver initiatives that support your Trust’s goals (e.g. employability or enrichment)

  • Provide regular impact reports showing what’s been done and who’s benefited

  • Take part in ongoing monitoring and reviews to keep social value delivery on track

This is not charity—it’s good business. And when suppliers are chosen with this lens, everyone wins: your Trust, your students, and your community.

To find out more about how you can benefit from social value in procurement with our expertise, contact the team today:

Email claire.makin@dukefield.co.uk

Phone 01204 374 156

Sarah Dungar