Posted 19th January 2015
Colleagues from the Social Audit Network (SAN) and the SROI Network (soon to be Social Value UK) recently met to discuss joint interests and potential areas for closer working. Now formally members of each other’s organisations, one area of discussion was the increasing need for independent assurance of social accounts and SROI reports. If social value reporting is to be credible in the medium and long term, there needs to be independent verification or audit for meaningful inclusion in tender evaluation.
Jeremy Nicholls, CEO of the SROI Network and SIAA, soon to be Social Value International, said ‘we’re delighted to be working more closely together with SAN. Our organisations have a number of shared values and aims, and we hope that this reciprocal membership will lead to a more united front to work towards more accounting for social and environmental impact and value.’
Lisa McMullan, Chair of the SAN Board, said ‘With the increased interest which we have seen since the Social Value Act, we hope that by working more closely together, SAN and Social Value UK can help organisations in the social economy decide how best to measure their social impact’
Jeremy Nicholls will also be presenting a workshop on SROI at this year’s SAN Annual Gathering, which will be held in partnership with Salford University’s Business School, at their Media City Campus, on Friday 17th April 2015. For more information, go to the SAN website www.socialauditnetwork.org.uk.
SAN and SIAA, soon to be Social Value International, are also hoping to be able to put their global networks in touch with each other across the world.
SAN and the SROI Network had previously released a joint statement which described the similarities and differences between the two frameworks, available to download here.