Social Return as part of the supplier selection process
Social Return is all about creating added social value. This can be achieved, for example, by offering work experience to people who are distanced from the labour market, facilitating work-based learning programmes, or supporting retraining for promising careers.
More and more organisations are already taking these objectives into account when selecting suppliers. In doing so, you are making a conscious choice for quality, continuity and a partner who actively contributes to your social ambitions.
Social Return also benefits your organisation
Candidates who face barriers to the labour market are still often overlooked in standard recruitment processes. Not because they are less capable, but because standard procedures do not always allow for alternative career paths. Organisations that do give this group a chance often find themselves rewarded with motivated and loyal employees. People who understand what it means to be given an opportunity and who, with the right support, often remain with an organisation for the long term.
Furthermore, hiring these candidates fosters greater diversity within teams. This demonstrably contributes to broader perspectives, greater innovation and better business results. In a labour market where many vacancies are difficult to fill, this target group also provides access to talent that often remains untapped through standard recruitment channels.
We ensure that this is not a one-off placement, but a sustainable solution. Together with our diversity partners, we arrange appropriate support, workplace adaptations and, where necessary, a job coach. In this way, we reduce the risk of drop-out and create a successful partnership from which both the organisation and the employee benefit in the long term.
And that’s not all. A well-developed Social Return approach delivers even more benefits. You build sustainable partnerships with suppliers, strengthen your reputation as an employer and demonstrate that social responsibility is an integral part of your organisation.
Furthermore, a clear Social Return strategy contributes to ESG objectives and sustainability reporting. Employees and customers, too, increasingly expect organisations to make a visible contribution to social issues.
Collaboration is the key to success
The best results are achieved when clients, suppliers and other partners set a joint course right from the start of the collaboration. By agreeing in advance on the desired social contribution, there is scope to develop initiatives that suit both your organisation and the project.
Regular evaluations and insight into progress ensure that you not only carry out activities but can also demonstrate the results achieved. In this way, Social Return becomes an integral part of responsible commissioning.
Working together to create social added value
At HeadFirst, Social Return is an integral part of our services. As a B Corp-certified organisation, we are committed to creating positive social and sustainable value every day. Our EcoVadis accreditation and Great Place to Work certification tie in seamlessly with this.
Our SROI coordinator would be happy to discuss with you how Social Return can be integrated into your organisation. This starts with a discussion about your situation. Do you already have experience with Social Return? Are you subject to any legal or regulatory obligations? Or do you wish to pursue this out of your own initiative?
From there, we’ll work together to develop an approach that suits your organisation. We’ll link this to current or future projects and make the results transparent.
Book a no-obligation meeting with our SROI coordinator, Skip Saegaert, and discover the opportunities available for your organisation: Skip.Saegaert@headfirst.nl.