Report Assurance
What is Report Assurance?
Assurance of your Social Return on Investment (SROI) or social impact report is more than just a rubber-stamping exercise. It is also a learning process designed to help you improve the way you measure impact. During the process, your report will be independently checked by an independent assessor. They will check that your report shows a good understanding of Social Value Principles and practice.
Assured reports meet all criteria within the Social Value International (SVI) Report Assurance Standard. Any SROI or social impact report can be tested against the Social Value Principles. Assurance is a principles-based assessment. It does not include verification of stakeholder engagement, data, and calculations.
What support can I get?
- Report Review Service: Submit any report to Social Value UK and feedback is provided on where the report shows good application of the Social Value Principles and areas in which it needs improving.
- Pre-Report Assurance Outcomes Check: The Pre-Report Assurance Outcomes Check service provides a critique of the practice that has been undertaken to define the outcomes of your analysis. This service is optional, and it is not a requirement for authors to use this service before submitting their report for Report Assurance.
- Tailored Support: We offer tailored support and workshops for members and non-members, using SVI qualified practitioners and impact management experts.
- Peer Support: As a member of SVI you are encouraged to gain support from other members through regional meetings, webinars and the online community.
Can I see examples of Assured Reports?
Yes! Social Value UK run a free Report Database, which hosts hundreds of examples of SROI and social impact reports. Many of these have been through the Report Assurance process, with these identifiable by their Assurance Certificate.
All authors of assured reports have the option to share their report on the database as a public good. However, this is not mandatory as we understand that some reports are intended for internal decision-making only.
Before you apply
- Does your report meet all criteria within the Report Assurance Standard? Download it here.
- Have you prepared your supporting documents?
Required supporting documents
- A complete Word (or similar) version of the report to be assured, including any appendices and with all references to the author removed.
- A complete Excel (or similar) version of the impact map used as the basis of the analysis with all references to the author removed. A blank template of the impact map is available here.
- Evidence of permission to submit the report from the relevant organisations.
- A signed copy of the terms and conditions of application available from our website here.
We also recommend that the applicant completes a copy of the Report Assurance Standard as a checklist, making clear where each criteria has been addressed within the analysis (for example, by quoting page numbers or section names). Download a copy of the Report Assurance Standard here.
Apply
You can submit a standard application using the buttons below. Please note that applications will only be processed during the application rounds as per the Assurance Calendar unless you have organised a Fast Track timeline directly with the Assurance Team. The dates of the application rounds during 2025 are below. A calendar detailing the timelines of applications made in 2025 is available here.
| Assurance Service | Round Opens | Round Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Report Assurance Round 1 | Monday 20th January 2025 | Friday 31st January 2025 |
| Report Assurance Round 2 | Monday 31st March 2025 | Friday 11th April 2025 |
| Report Assurance Round 3 | Monday 30th June 2025 | Friday 11th July 2025 |
| Report Assurance Round 4 | Monday 6th October 2025 | Friday 17th October 2025 |
Fast-Track Applications
Alternatively, you can use the Fast-Track service. This means you can apply at any time of the year, without having to wait for an application round. To apply for Fast-Track Report Assurance, please contact the assurance team to discuss timelines using the button below.
Cost
- Standard Report Assurance = £900 (£750 + VAT)
- Fast-Track Report Assurance = £1260 (£1050 + VAT)
- Amendment period (optional) = £360 (£300 + VAT)
Please note: The majority of reports will need an amendment period, where authors have the opportunity to make improvements to their report based on their assessor’s recommendations. We therefore recommend that you budget for the £300+VAT amendment period fee.
Organisational members of SVUK are entitled to a 10% discount on Report Assurance.
Applicants based outside of the UK are not required to pay VAT.