Landmark deal struck as Cheshire & Merseyside ICS become the first to sign with Social Value Portal to deliver social value strategy for their region
Cheshire & Merseyside Integrated Care System (ICS), has become the first ICS to use online social value measurement, monitoring and strategic consultancy, Social Value Portal to track social value delivery across its 28 sub-members.
Through working with Social Value Portal, each member of the ICS is able to access one consistent, scalable solution, enabling them to determine what social value has been created, track delivery and identify opportunities to further increase social value contributions to local communities.
Established across England on 1 July 2022, ICS’s are partnerships of organisations that work together to plan and deliver joined up health and care services that will improve the lives of people who live and work in their area. Social value is the value an organisation contributes to society and is measured by positive actions such as; volunteering, employing and buying locally, reducing carbon emissions and procuring sustainably.
Cheshire & Merseyside ICS will be using a unique version of the widely recognised social value measurement framework, the Social Value TOM System (Themes, Outcomes & Measures) which has been specifically tailored to the ICS and its member’s collective priorities. Designed to reduce duplication and workload, it enables members to be completely transparent, open up opportunities for local suppliers and provide detailed reporting methods for all stakeholders.
Dave Sweeney, associate director for partnerships and sustainability, Cheshire & Merseyside Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “It is our mission to be able to clearly evidence an efficient means of delivering social value as well as communicating the positive impact that our actions are having on residents in the area.
“As the first ICS to sign with Social Value Portal, we are in a strong position to demonstrate how it is possible to work collaboratively and expediently, delivering on the overarching social value policy that all 28 members are working with.”
Michael Wood, Head of Health Economic Partnerships at the NHS Confederation, added: Social Value is not just a legal requirement, it is a means of understanding the wider impact the NHS can have for its local communities. With all Integrated Care Systems now having a clear purpose to help the NHS support broader social and economic development, it is great to see Cheshire and Merseyside ICS co-developing the means to narrate and evidence their progress.”
Guy Battle, CEO, Social Value Portal added: “The main aim of social value is to create a healthier, fairer and greener society so our team are really enjoying the opportunity to work collaboratively with Cheshire & Merseyside ICS and a number of its members to further develop and improve on their social value performance.
“By getting on board with Social Value Portal, Cheshire & Merseyside ICS is leading the way in the sector and I am in no doubt that this deal will deliver a lasting legacy for years to come.”
For more information on Cheshire & Merseyside’s approach to social value, visit: https://www.cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk/about/sustainability/social-value/
