Social value policy

Architecture Social's social value policy explains how the business aims to create wider value through recruitment, community, content, training, supplier behaviour and environmental responsibility.

For us, social value is not an abstract procurement phrase. It is about improving access to information, helping people make better career decisions, supporting responsible clients and using the Architecture Social platform in a way that benefits the wider architecture community.

Architecture Social is committed to providing services in a way that maximises benefits to local, regional and professional communities. We look at social value through three connected areas: economic, social and environmental.

• Supporting job creation and access to work across architecture and the built environment.
• Encouraging training, development and early-career opportunity where we can influence it.
• Promoting fair, timely and professional supplier relationships.
• Helping practices understand the candidate market so hiring is clearer and more realistic.

• Improving access to career information through guides, podcasts, events and resources.
• Supporting candidate confidence, especially for students, graduates and people without strong industry networks.
• Encouraging healthier recruitment conversations around salary, progression, flexibility and expectations.
• Promoting a diverse and accessible architecture community through the platform.
• Using the community, podcast and content library to help people learn from each other.

Useful next steps:

• Join Connect.
• Browse practical career and hiring resources.
• Employers can start with Architecture Social recruitment.

The useful test is whether an activity makes access, information, confidence or opportunity better for the people around Architecture Social.

• Does it help candidates make better decisions?
• Does it help practices hire more clearly and fairly?
• Does it support skills, community or wellbeing?
• Does it reduce avoidable waste or improve responsible behaviour?

Social value and environmental responsibility overlap. Architecture Social aims to reduce avoidable waste, make responsible operational choices and encourage more informed conversations around sustainability in architecture careers and practice.

• Read the companion Architecture Social environmental policy.
• For partnership or recruitment conversations, contact Architecture Social.

This policy should develop as Architecture Social grows. The aim is to keep it honest, proportionate and connected to real activity rather than polished language that does not change behaviour.

If you want to work with Architecture Social on recruitment, community, content or partnership activity with a social value angle, get in touch.