The Power of Purpose: How Panacea Applications Embeds Social Value in Public Sector Procurement

Public sector procurement has changed dramatically. It’s no longer just about achieving the lowest price – it’s about how contracts can deliver lasting benefits for communities. This shift towards social value is driven by legislation such as the UK’s Social Value Act and Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 06/20, alongside growing public expectations for responsible spending. 

At Panacea Applications, we see this transformation every day. Our clients are balancing efficiency with new responsibilities: setting measurable social value objectives, evaluating suppliers on impact as well as cost, and tracking delivery across the contract lifecycle. That’s why we’ve designed our platform and in fact, our approach as a business, to support these ambitions in practical, meaningful ways. 

What Social Value Really Means 

Social value is about the wider positive impact that public contracts can create. It covers everything from fighting climate change and reducing carbon emissions, to supporting SMEs and social enterprises, to improving equality and wellbeing in local communities. 

But achieving these outcomes isn’t a simple tick-box exercise. It takes planning, the right tools, and a genuine commitment to embedding social value throughout the procurement process. 

That’s where Panacea comes in. 

How Panacea Applications Delivers Social Value 

We’re proud to support our public sector partners in achieving measurable social value, while also embedding the same principles into how we operate as a business. Here’s how: 

Fighting Climate Change 

• Net zero by 2030 – backed by ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management certification. 

• Paper-free office, equipment switched off when not in use. 

• Public transport loans, office solar panels, and staff training in carbon reduction planning. 

• Contractors evaluated against environmental criteria to keep our supply chain green. 

 Supporting Recovery and Resilience 

• Apprenticeships in software testing and support, helping people retrain into high-growth tech roles. 

• Secure, collaborative online solutions enabling hybrid and remote working. 

• Virtual appointment tools, reducing the need for face-to-face meetings. 

• Training and support delivered online to ensure business continuity. 

Tackling Economic Inequality 

• Supplier portals and dynamic purchasing systems opening doors to SMEs, start-ups, and social enterprises. 

• Support for public sector clients engaging with freelancers, interpreters, and translators. 

• Delivering measurable results: clients report 30–70% price reductions and a 58% increase in SME engagement. 

• Apprenticeships and training aligned with government skills priorities. 

 Promoting Equal Opportunity 

• Blind recruitment to ensure fair hiring. 

• Real Living Wage employer status. 

• Donations of equipment and furniture to charities supporting schools and disabled people. 

• Partnerships with local charities such as The Bridge at Waterloo. 

• A zero-tolerance stance on modern slavery, underpinned by robust policies. 

 Wellbeing and Community 

• Staff involved in decision-making through regular consultations and feedback. 

• Hybrid working model balancing flexibility with teamwork. 

• Adjustments made within six weeks to support physical and mental health. 

• Co-created company values with staff and clients, with Working in Partnership at the core. 

How Our Platform Embeds Social Value 

Our technology is designed to make these commitments practical for procurement teams: 

• Flexible evaluation frameworks – build social value criteria directly into tender templates. 

• Inclusive supplier access – help SMEs and voluntary organisations compete on a level playing field. 

• Performance tracking dashboards – monitor social value delivery alongside traditional KPIs. 

• Standards alignment – including frameworks like the National TOMs for meaningful benchmarking. 

• Full process integration – embedding social value at every stage, from planning to contract  

Looking Ahead 

The shift towards socially responsible procurement reflects something powerful: recognition that public spending should serve the public good in the broadest sense. At Panacea Applications, we believe every public contract is an opportunity to build something better. 

We’ll keep learning from our clients’ experiences, developing our platform to meet emerging needs, and holding ourselves accountable to the same standards we help others achieve. 

Because for us, social value isn’t an add-on — it’s at the heart of what we do. 

👉 Want to explore how Panacea could support your social value objectives? Get in touch to see our platform in action.