Why does it matter?
Before the National TOMs framework, there was no consistent way to measure and compare social value across different organisations and contracts. Each contracting authority used its own approach, making it difficult for suppliers to know what was expected and for buyers to compare bids meaningfully. The National TOMs framework addressed this by creating a common measurement language. It is now the most widely adopted social value measurement framework in UK public procurement, used by hundreds of local authorities, housing associations, and other public bodies.
Key details
How the framework is structured
The National TOMs framework is organised into three layers. Themes are the broad categories of social value, such as jobs, growth, social, and environment. Outcomes sit beneath each theme and describe the specific results the framework aims to achieve, for example, "more local people in employment" or "carbon emissions are reduced." Measures are the specific metrics used to quantify delivery against each outcome, such as the number of local jobs created, volunteer hours delivered, or tonnes of CO2e avoided.
Each measure has a proxy value: a monetary figure that represents the estimated economic or social benefit of one unit of that measure. For example, one hour of volunteering might carry a proxy value of a specified amount. This allows organisations to aggregate their social value contributions into a single financial figure, which is useful for benchmarking and reporting.
National TOMs vs local TOMs
The National TOMs framework provides a baseline set of measures that can be used by any organisation. Many local authorities and contracting bodies, however, develop their own "local TOMs" that include additional measures specific to their area's priorities. A coastal council might include measures related to marine conservation, while an urban authority might emphasise measures around homelessness or youth unemployment.
Annual updates
The National TOMs framework is reviewed and updated annually to reflect changing priorities, new evidence on proxy values, and feedback from practitioners. Organisations using the framework should ensure they are referencing the current version.
UK & public sector context
The National TOMs framework has become the de facto standard for social value measurement in UK local government procurement. While central government uses its own Social Value Model (introduced via PPN 06/20 and updated by PPN 002), the TOMs framework is predominant at the local authority level, in housing, and across much of the NHS.
For suppliers, this means you are likely to encounter TOMs-based social value requirements in the majority of local government and housing tenders. Being able to quantify your social value in TOMs terms, and demonstrate delivery against specific measures with proxy values, is a significant competitive advantage.