Best practices in social value measurement
As the demand for transparency, accountability, and impact grows, organisations across sectors are rethinking how they measure and communicate social value. Beyond simply capturing outputs and outcomes, there is a growing emphasis on methods that reflect the richness and complexity of community impact. Social value measurement is no longer confined to rigid spreadsheets or anecdotal reports; instead, it is evolving into a dynamic, multidimensional practice.

1. Mixed-methods approach
- Combining quantitative and qualitative data is a common theme across organisations. Quantitative metrics offer comparability and scalability, while qualitative insights add depth and human context.
- This dual strategy allows organisations to present a comprehensive picture that appeals to funders, stakeholders, and community members.
2. Ongoing and embedded evaluation
- Effective social value measurement is continuous and integrated into service delivery, not a one-off exercise.
- Regular feedback loops (surveys, interviews, case studies) and data collection mechanisms help in shaping and adapting services to remain relevant.
3. Human-centred storytelling
- Organisations use personal stories to highlight individual transformation and long-term ripple effects. These narratives serve as powerful tools in grant applications and community engagement.
- A “Most Significant Change” approach is endorsed to capture meaning that eludes standard metrics, particularly in domains like wellbeing, inclusion, and empowerment.
4. Monetisation of Social Value
- Several organisations adopt financial proxy models (e.g., Social Value Portal’s TOMs framework) to assign economic value to social activities.
- This makes social value more tangible for internal stakeholders and funders, although concerns exist about oversimplification or underrepresentation of complex outcomes.
5. Use of standardised tools
- Tools such as the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale provide validated, comparative insights into psychological and emotional wellbeing.
- These are often paired with storytelling to contextualise shifts in wellbeing, especially in post-pandemic recovery initiatives.
6. Local context and collaborative frameworks
- Tailoring measurement frameworks to local needs and priorities is vital. Efforts to create shared dashboards or region-specific reporting mechanisms encourage cohesion across sectors.
- Collaboration among councils, NHS bodies, social enterprises, and academia fosters aligned approaches and knowledge-sharing.
Approaches to social value measurement
A. Community-led social enterprises
- Employ a blend of statistics and lived experience to demonstrate value, especially to funders.
- Highlight geographic reach and demographic representation to underline service relevance.
- Use annual reports to present achievements in a structured, accessible format.
B. Standardised frameworks (e.g. TOMs)
- Provide a structured, evidence-based model using Themes, Outcomes, and Measures.
- Enable financial proxy calculations while accounting for deadweight and attribution.
- Useful for organisations with procurement responsibilities or extensive supplier engagement.
C. Participatory and narrative-based evaluation
- Favoured in academic and grassroots settings to highlight meaning, significance, and emotional resonance.
- Resists purely metric-based evaluations by emphasizing community voice and personal development.
- Examples include participatory storytelling and reflective interviews.
D. Corporate and institutional models
- Combine formal tools with strategic case studies to reflect brand values and social contribution.
- Emphasise reporting transparency, cross-sector partnerships, and non-financial support (e.g. pro bono services).
Key Considerations
- Balance between monetised and qualitative data is essential to avoid marginalising cultural and emotional impact.
- Adaptability of frameworks ensures broader usability across sectors with differing capacities.
Capacity-building may be needed to enhance internal understanding and improve data collection and analysis.
Contact us
We’d be delighted to hear from you. The Enterprise Works team can be contacted via:
enterprise-works
+44 (0)1904 321420
@@UoYEntWorks
LinkedIn
Contact us
We’d be delighted to hear from you. The Enterprise Works team can be contacted via:
enterprise-works
+44 (0)1904 321420
@@UoYEntWorks
LinkedIn