In today’s dynamic care landscape, organisations are increasingly looking beyond traditional metrics to measure their true impact. At Clece Care Services (CCS), we’ve taken a bold step in this direction by sharing our insights with the Care Show team on why every care provider must consider their social value. This discussion comes on the back of our group-wide Social Value Quality Mark—an initiative through which every company in our group has pledged to generate, measure, and report Social Value across six key areas. In this post, we delve into our journey, the importance of social value in care provision, and how providers of any size can start their own social value initiatives.

The Emergence of Social Value in Care

Social value is all about creating measurable, positive impacts that extend far beyond the immediate service provided. In the care sector, where the stakes involve both the well-being of individuals and the strength of communities, recognising and maximising social value has never been more critical. Our conversation with the Care Show team explored this idea in depth—highlighting that care provision is not just a service but a catalyst for wider societal improvement.

At CCS, we believe that care organisations have a responsibility to look beyond the numbers and consider how their operations influence the economic, social, and environmental fabric of the communities they serve. By adopting a holistic approach to social value, care providers can foster environments where every action contributes to a healthier, more connected, and sustainable future.

The Social Value Quality Mark: A Commitment to Excellence

Central to our journey is the Social Value Quality Mark—a framework designed to ensure that every facet of our work is aligned with creating measurable and meaningful outcomes.

During our recent discussion with the Care Show team, we explored the reasons why every care provider must consider their social value. Here are some of the key insights we shared:

• Beyond Service Delivery:
Care is not just about meeting immediate needs—it’s about creating long-term value that uplifts individuals and communities. Social value initiatives help care providers demonstrate how their work contributes to wider societal benefits, from boosting local economies to enhancing community wellbeing.

• Measuring What Matters:
Traditional performance indicators often fail to capture the true impact of care services. By adopting robust frameworks to measure social value, providers can better understand and communicate the broader effects of their work. This not only improves transparency but also drives continuous improvement across all levels of service delivery.

• Building Trust and Accountability:
In an industry where trust is paramount, being accountable for social value helps build stronger relationships with clients, stakeholders, and the wider community. By openly reporting on our social impact, we reinforce our commitment to ethical, responsible care that benefits everyone.

• A Blueprint for the Future:
The challenges facing the care sector today require innovative solutions that go beyond traditional models. Our Social Value Quality Mark provides a blueprint for integrating social value into everyday operations. It’s a call to action for other care providers—regardless of their size—to embrace this mindset and start their own journeys towards greater societal impact.

CCS’ Social Value Journey: A Path to Meaningful Change

Our commitment to social value is not a recent development—it’s a journey that has evolved over time. At CCS, we have consistently sought ways to embed social value into the very core of our operations. Our journey began with a simple question: How can we ensure that every decision we make, every service we provide, contributes positively to the communities we serve?

Through careful planning, stakeholder engagement, and a relentless focus on continuous improvement, we developed a framework that allows us to generate, measure, and report social value effectively. This journey has not only enhanced our service delivery but has also helped us forge deeper connections with our clients, employees, and the broader community.

Our Social Value Quality Mark is a tangible representation of our commitment. It’s a standard that holds us accountable and inspires us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the care sector. By tracking our progress across the six key areas—Economic, Health and Wellbeing, Education and Skills, Social and Community, Employment and Volunteering, and Environmental—we are able to see the real-world impact of our efforts and adjust our strategies to maximise benefits.

How Can Other Providers Start Their Social Value Journey?

One of the most exciting aspects of our conversation with the Care Show team was the recognition that social value is not limited to large organisations. Whether you’re a small local care provider or a large national chain, there are actionable steps you can take to start or enhance your own social value journey. Here are a few suggestions based on our experience:

• Start Small, Think Big:
Begin with initiatives that resonate with your community. Identify areas where you can make a tangible difference—whether it’s through local volunteering, partnerships with educational institutions, or environmentally sustainable practices.

• Develop Clear Metrics:
Establish metrics to measure the impact of your social value initiatives. This not only helps in tracking progress but also provides evidence of your commitment to stakeholders, clients, and funding bodies.

• Engage Your Team:
Social value is a team effort. Involve your employees at all levels and encourage them to contribute ideas. A culture of shared purpose can drive innovation and ensure that every action is aligned with your broader social goals.

• Collaborate and Share Best Practices:
No organisation exists in isolation. Reach out to other care providers, join industry forums, and share your experiences. Collaboration can lead to new insights and amplify the impact of your initiatives.

• Celebrate Successes:
Recognise and celebrate the positive changes that result from your social value efforts. Whether it’s a community award, improved client outcomes, or environmental milestones, celebrating these successes can motivate your team and attract further support.

To dive deeper into our Social Value journey and learn how providers of any size can begin their own, we invite you to read more about our experiences and recommendations here.

Conclusion

At Clece Care Services, our commitment to social value is more than just a strategic initiative—it’s a core part of who we are. By embedding social value into every aspect of our operations, we are not only delivering exceptional care but also creating lasting benefits for the communities we serve.

Our conversation with the Care Show team was a powerful reminder that in today’s world, every care provider must consider their social value. Whether it’s enhancing economic stability, promoting health and wellbeing, fostering education and skills, or championing environmental sustainability, social value is the key to building a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

We hope our insights inspire other care providers to embark on their own social value journeys. Together, we can transform the care sector—one thoughtful initiative at a time.

For more information on our Social Value journey and to learn how your organisation can start making a difference, please visit this link.

Read all about it and join us as we continue to champion a future where care is synonymous with community, sustainability, and meaningful change.