Report Assurance

Getting your report independently assured will give your work and its findings a globally recognised mark of quality and credibility.

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 and report 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 The Principles of Social Value 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 Principles of Social Value. Assurance is a principles-based assessment. It does not include verification of stakeholder engagement, data, and calculations.

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 a copy here. We recommend that you use this as a checklist, noting where each criteria is addressed within your analysis. You can upload this to your application, in addition to the supporting documents listed below.

  • Have you prepared your supporting documents?

Supporting Documents:

Before you apply for Report Assurance, please make sure you have completed all the supporting documents that are needed:

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  • 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 value map used as the basis of the analysis with all references to the author removed. A blank template of the value map is available here.

  • Evidence of permission to submit the report from the relevant organisations. This evidence can be a signed letter, or a screenshot of an email from a representative of the organisation.

  • A signed copy of the Terms and Conditions of application.

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 button 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 application directly with the Assurance Team. The dates of the application rounds during 2025 available in the Assurance Calendar here.

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 = £750

  • Fast-Track Report Assurance = £1050

  • Amendment period (optional) = £300

Please note: The majority of reports submitted for Report Assurance require an amendment period. This is a five-week period where the author must make improvements to their report based on the feedback shared by their assessor. We therefore recommend that you budget for the amendment period fee of £300.
UK-based applicants must pay an additional 20% VAT on the above.

 Frequently Asked Questions:

 
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+ What is assurance?

Assurance 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 analysis will be independently checked by of of our qualified assessors. They will check that a report shows good understanding of The Principles of Social Value and practice. For an SROI report, this means that the application Principle #3 “value what matters” will involve the use of financial valuations. However any social value/impact report can be tested against The Principles of Social Value.

Assurance is a principles-based assessment. It does not include verification of stakeholder engagement, data and calculations.

+ What reports can be assured?

Any social value or SROI report can be submitted for Report Assurance. Either type of report needs to meet the Report Assurance Standard Criteria.

+ What other support is there for developing social value reporting practice?

Peer Support: As a member of SVI you are encouraged to gain support from other members through regional meetings, LinkedIn groups and webinars.

Assurance Standard: This is available in a checklist format for you to use as you produce your report. Download it here.

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. Learn more about this service here.

Mentoring: Social Value UK provide a mentoring service that offers 1-2-1 coaching. The service is open to all members of Social Value International. Please note: If a report has been produced with help from this mentoring service, it is not possible for it to be part of an application for Level 3 Advanced Practitioner status. Learn more about this service here.

+ When can I submit a report for assurance?

You can submit an application during a standard Report Assurance round. This is a two week period in which an application can be made. There are four of these held throughout the year, with dates listed in the Assurance and Accreditation Calendar.

Alternatively, you can use the Fast-Track service. This means you can apply at any time of the year.

+ What is the Fast-Track service?

Fast-Track applications can be made at any time of the year, without needing to wait for an application round. To arrange a Fast-Track application, please get in touch with the SVI Assurance Team.

+ How long does the process take?

When a report is submitted through an assurance round you should allow up to six weeks for the initial results to be returned.

When a report is submitted through the Fast-Track service you should allow two to three weeks for the results to be returned.

For reports that require some alterations in order to meet assurance requirements, the author will have the option to take an amendment period in which to make the necessary changes. The amendment period is five weeks from the date the applicant received their initial feedback. This amendment stage is subject to an additional fee, in order to cover additional costs of re-checking the amended report and administration (see ‘Cost’ section above).

+ I have produced a report working as part of a team, can this be submitted for assurance?

Yes, if submitting for report assurance it doesn’t matter how many authors there are. However, if you are using the report as part of an application to become a Level 2 Accredited Practitioner you must be the lead author or the sole author. For Level 3 Advanced Practitioner applications, you must be the sole author and have received no formal mentoring.

+ Do you have examples of reports which have been through the process?

Social Value UK host a Report Database, listing hundreds of reports. The majority of reports hosted there have been awarded assured status.