Understand how procurement works
Get a clear overview of the public sector procurement process, key players, and how opportunities are found.
Know what public bodies look for
Learn what commissioners and procurement teams want — and how social ventures can stand out.
Frame and deliver social value
Understand what social value means in tendering, and how to communicate your impact in ways that align with commissioning priorities.
Take your first ‘tender ready’ steps
Use reflection tools to assess whether procurement is right for you and what you need in place to move towards eligibility.
About the workshop
Discover how your social enterprise can unlock new income streams by engaging with public sector procurement. This practical workshop is an essential starting point for social entrepreneurs who want to explore how to win contracts, deliver social value and become ‘tender ready’.
In this interactive online session, we’ll demystify public sector tendering and introduce key legislation, including the Social Value Act and the Procurement Act 2023. You’ll get insight into what public bodies are looking for and how social ventures can align their impact with commissioning priorities. The session includes time for Q&A, peer reflection and practical advice, plus real-world learning from a social enterprise working successfully with public sector contracts.
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how public sector procurement works: the process, the players and how to find opportunities
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relevant legislation, including the Social Value Act and the Procurement Act 2023
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understanding social value: what it means, how to frame your impact and how to deliver value for commissioners
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first steps to becoming ‘tender ready’: what you need in place and how to build towards eligibility
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reflection tools to help you evaluate your next steps
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real-life learning through a Q&A with a social enterprise on their journey into public sector tendering
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understand public sector procurement processes and the basics of the legal landscape
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know what public bodies look for, and how to position your social venture clearly
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build confidence to take your first steps towards becoming ‘tender ready’
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assess whether procurement is right for your organisation now, and what to do next
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get practical advice, peer reflection and space to ask questions
Delivered live online via Zoom, this is an interactive session with practical guidance, Q&A and peer reflection. You’ll be supported to think through your organisation’s readiness and next steps, with time to ask questions throughout. Joining details will be emailed to you in the run up to the workshop.
You’ll use simple tools and prompts during the session to help you assess procurement readiness and identify actions to take next.
This workshop is 2 hours long. Please check individual dates when booking to see exact timings. The session covers how public sector procurement works, relevant legislation (including the Social Value Act and the Procurement Act 2023), understanding social value, real-life learning through Q&A, and practical first steps towards becoming ‘tender ready’.
This workshop is for anyone who wants to understand how social enterprises can work with the public sector — no prior experience with procurement or tendering is needed. It’s particularly useful for:
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early-stage social entrepreneurs exploring new income streams
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established social ventures wanting to diversify their revenue
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university students launching social impact initiatives
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anyone interested in public sector procurement and social value
About the trainer
This course is led by SSE Learning Manager Sally Jones. Sally is one of SSE’s in-house social enterprise specialist learning managers and led the training on the UK Government’s VCSE Procurement Readiness Programme. She has been designing and facilitating learning for SSE programmes and workshops since 2013.
Impact skills for anyone
Our workshops are designed for people looking to create impact, but anyone, anywhere can join.
15% off for Early Birds
A limited number of Early Bird tickets are available at a discount of 15% off.
Expert-led course
This course is delivered by Sally Jones, who led the learning on the UK Government's VCSE Procurement Readiness Programme.
Essential skills in a few hours
Strengthen yourself and your projects in less than a day. Take part in discussions and exercises. Come away with practical actions.
Feedback about SSE workshops
87 %
of people score 8/10 or above for quality of facilitation
84 %
of people score 7/10 or above for usefulness
758
Workshop places booked in 2025
FAQ
If you have any questions that are not answered here, please feel free to contact us.
Yes, we can offer any of our workshops or completely bespoke training on request. Please contact us to discuss the options.
You are very welcome to book for multiple people but each individual joining the workshop must be booked on to join, even if sharing a computer. You can select your number of tickets when you make your booking.
If you are booking for 3 or more people, feel free to contact us to enquire about a group discount.
Cancellations or booking changes can be made up until 7 days before the workshop. You may change the name of the person attending at any time but only one person can join the course per booking.
If you wish to make a change or cancellation please contact us and state the name of the workshop and email address used to make the booking.
This workshop takes place online via Zoom. Once you have booked your place you will receive joining instructions in your confirmation email and in reminders closer to the time of the workshop.
All currently available dates are listed in the Book now section. We run most of our workshops repeatedly throughout the year, so if you cannot see further dates, they may not have yet been scheduled. Subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of the page to be kept up to date.
We do not record all our workshops as they are interactive workshops and watching back a recording does not provide the value of taking part live. It also allows people to speak more freely when taking part in discussions within the workshop.
Please see our section on Prices.
At the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE), we back people with purpose. With practical learning that makes sense in the real world. With funding that grows as you grow. With mentors, peers and people who’ve been there and done it. We don’t care where you started. We care about where you’re going and the difference you want to make in your life, in your community, and in the world.
Find out more about SSE here.
You can see the times under the dates in the Book Now section. All the workshops are on London, UK time.
If you have a question that is not answered on this page, please feel free to contact us.
Prices
Select a date in the Book Now section to see prices. Please note:
- The price is based on your organisation’s total annual income, regardless of profit.
- Our pricing is designed to be as accessible as possible for people wanting to create impact at any scale.
- The prices you can see are already heavily discounted, particularly for smaller organisations.
- There are no additional discounts for not-for-profits or government organisations.
Early bird tickets
A limited number of Early Bird tickets are available at a discount of 15% off.
Group bookings
If you would like to make a booking for 3 or more places please contact us to get a price for a group discount.
Bespoke training and support
We have a range of options for delivering impactful training to your organisation or organisations you support. Get in touch to find out more.
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