How to Deliver Social Value on Security Contracts
6 min readBy Kim FraterPublished 2026-07-27
“I believe public procurement shouldn’t be complicated. Every guide I write explains the process in plain English so you can bid with confidence.”
Hi, I’m Kim. If you’re new to public procurement, don’t worry, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know in plain English.
Security contracts generally include a social value question, but many security companies approach it in the same way they would any other tender.
They talk about recycling, local recruitment and environmental initiatives.
Those things certainly have their place.
But security companies have something many other organisations don’t.
They have the opportunity to make people feel safer.
Whether you’re protecting residential developments, public buildings, healthcare facilities, transport hubs or commercial premises, your officers become part of the local community.
That creates opportunities to deliver meaningful social value that goes well beyond simply providing a security service.
In this guide, I’ll explore practical ideas that security companies can adapt to their own business and the contracts they’re bidding for.
Start by Understanding the Community You’re Protecting
Every security contract is different.
Protecting a housing estate isn’t the same as securing a council office. A university campus has different challenges to a town centre. Before deciding what social value you’ll offer, ask yourself:
- Who uses this building or space?
- Who could benefit from additional support?
- What challenges does the local community face?
- What are the buyer’s priorities?
Understanding the community is often the first step towards developing meaningful social value commitments.
Recruit From the Local Community
Security contracts often provide long-term employment opportunities. Where practical, recruit officers from the local area. Local employees often understand the community better, spend less time travelling and help strengthen the local economy. Explain how you’ll advertise vacancies locally and support local employment wherever possible.
Create Career Pathways
Security is a profession with genuine career opportunities. Show how employees can progress from Security Officer to:
- Supervisor
- Mobile Patrol Officer
- Control Room Operator
- Operations Manager
- Contract Manager
- Trainer
Helping people build long-term careers creates lasting social value.
Invest in Professional Training
Training improves both service quality and individual career prospects. Examples include:
- Conflict Management
- Emergency First Aid
- Safeguarding
- Mental Health Awareness
- Fire Safety
- Customer Service
- Counter Terrorism Awareness
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Explain how these skills benefit both your employees and the communities they’ll be supporting.
Support Community Safety Initiatives
Security companies often have expertise that can benefit the wider community. For example:
- personal safety awareness sessions
- crime prevention advice
- property security guidance
- fraud awareness
- lone worker safety
Sharing knowledge can create lasting benefits beyond the contract itself.
Support Vulnerable People
Many security officers regularly encounter people who may need additional support. Depending on the nature of the contract, this could include:
- older people
- rough sleepers
- vulnerable adults
- victims of crime
- people experiencing mental health crises
Explain how your officers will receive appropriate training to recognise vulnerability, respond professionally and signpost individuals to the appropriate support services where relevant.
Promote Inclusive Recruitment
Encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates. Review recruitment practices to ensure opportunities are accessible and fair. A diverse workforce often brings broader experience, stronger community relationships and improved customer service.
Support Local Schools and Colleges
Security professionals possess valuable knowledge that many young people never hear about. Offer careers talks, work experience opportunities or awareness sessions covering:
- careers in security
- personal safety
- conflict avoidance
- professional standards
These initiatives help raise awareness of the industry while supporting local education.
Reduce Environmental Impact
Security companies can also contribute to environmental improvements. Examples include:
- reducing unnecessary vehicle journeys
- efficient patrol planning
- electric or hybrid patrol vehicles where appropriate
- reducing paper through digital reporting
- responsible waste management
Keep commitments practical and relevant to the contract.
Support Local Businesses
Where appropriate, use local suppliers for uniforms, equipment, vehicle maintenance and other services. Supporting local SMEs helps strengthen the wider economy while demonstrating investment in the community.
Encourage Employee Volunteering
Security teams often possess skills that community organisations value. Volunteering might include:
- supporting community events
- neighbourhood clean-up projects
- fundraising activities
- mentoring young people
- assisting local charities
These activities demonstrate community engagement while helping employees build stronger local relationships.
Promote Employee Wellbeing
Security can be a demanding profession. Supporting employee wellbeing benefits both your workforce and your clients. Explain initiatives such as:
- mental health support
- regular welfare meetings
- wellbeing champions
- employee assistance programmes
- flexible working where appropriate
Healthy, supported officers are more likely to provide excellent customer service.
Encourage Continuous Professional Development
Social value isn’t only about creating opportunities for new employees. It’s also about helping existing employees continue to develop. Explain how you’ll encourage continuous learning through refresher training, professional qualifications and ongoing development opportunities.
Build Positive Relationships With the Community
Security officers are often among the most visible representatives on a site. Encourage officers to:
- engage positively with residents
- support visitors
- provide reassurance
- report community concerns
- build professional relationships with local stakeholders
Strong relationships help create safer, more welcoming environments.
Share Contract Performance Transparently
Where appropriate, explain how you’ll report not only operational performance but also social value commitments. For example:
- local recruitment
- training delivered
- volunteer hours
- community engagement
- environmental improvements
Transparent reporting demonstrates accountability and helps buyers understand the impact you’re creating.
Measure the Difference You’re Making
Whatever commitments you make, think about how you’ll measure success. Examples might include:
- number of local recruits
- training hours delivered
- safeguarding awareness sessions completed
- volunteer hours
- community engagement activities
- environmental improvements achieved
Being able to demonstrate outcomes strengthens both contract management and future tender submissions.
Keep Your Commitments Relevant to the Contract
Not every idea will be suitable for every security contract. For example:
A residential housing contract may focus on community engagement, safeguarding and resident wellbeing.
A healthcare contract may place greater emphasis on vulnerability awareness and conflict management.
A corporate office contract may prioritise environmental sustainability and local employment.
The strongest social value responses are always tailored to the organisation and community you’re supporting.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When writing social value responses for security contracts, avoid:
- Using the same response for every tender.
- Focusing only on environmental initiatives.
- Making commitments you can’t realistically deliver.
- Forgetting to explain how you’ll measure success.
- Failing to link your commitments to the community and the contract.
Buyers are looking for commitments that feel genuine, achievable and relevant, not a long list of generic promises.
My Final Thoughts
Security companies have a unique opportunity to deliver social value because their role extends beyond protecting buildings and assets.
Every interaction with a resident, visitor, employee or member of the public has the potential to create a positive impact.
Whether that’s helping someone feel safer, supporting local employment, developing professional skills or strengthening community relationships, security providers can make a meaningful contribution that lasts well beyond the life of the contract.
The key is identifying the opportunities that naturally arise from the service you already provide, explaining them clearly and demonstrating how you’ll measure the difference you make.
Thanks for reading.
I hope this guide has made public procurement a little easier to understand.
Kim Frater
Founder, Bid Trawler
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