PPN 01/21 - Case Study for St Pauls High School, Bessbrook

This project, St. Paul’s High School, Bessbrook involved the provision of pre-fabricated accommodation to provide additional accommodation.  The project aimed to achieve not only value for money but also broader social benefits for the school community.

This Case Study demonstrates how EAs Minor Works and Building Maintenance Category maximises social value delivery.  By embedding social value into our procurements, we ensure that contracts comply with PPN 01/21, which requires that for below UK Threshold procurements, at least one social value initiative is incorporated into the contract. 

One of the key initiatives delivered was a school visit to P. McVey Building Systems headquarters, where construction students from the school were provided with the opportunity to learn about pre-fabricated accommodation building construction, aligning with the educational and skills development objectives outlined in the procurement policy note. 

This Case Study showcases how, working collaboratively, the Education Authority and P. McVey Building Systems, incorporated social value through both the procurement and delivery of the Contract. 

The main social value objectives of this project were to:

1. Promote Education and Skills Development by providing opportunities for pupils to gain insights into construction, in particular modular construction, enhancing their skills and career prospects. 
2. Promoting Wellbeing by creating a culture that supports the wellbeing of staff working on the contract. 
3. Delivering initiatives that consider the impact of the project on the local environment.

To achieve these objectives, the following actions were undertaken:

1. Social Value Integration into Procurement:

• Social value was embedded into the procurements process requiring the contractor to provide social value initiatives to a minimum value of 100 social points per £1m of contract value (pro-rata). 
• The successful contractor, P McVey Building Systems, was required to demonstrate how they would deliver the social value points required prior to contract award. The contract value was £948,260 meaning this contract would be required to deliver minimum 95 social value points.
   

2. School Visit to Modular Building Warehouse:

• A standout initiative for the project was organising a visit for St. Paul’s Bessbrook High School students to P. McVey Building Systems to gain hands-on industry insights. During the visit, students had the opportunity to observe the building process, interact with engineers, and learn about the latest technologies used in pre-fabricated construction.
• The visit aimed to increase students’ awareness of construction careers, promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, and spark interest in pursuing further training or apprenticeships within the construction sector, bridging the gap between education and industry. 

The visit underscores the importance of social value through educational partnerships—enriching students' learning beyond the classroom, fostering practical skills, and building connections that inspire future career aspirations. 

3. Environmental Initiatives:

• The project included initiatives to increase recycling efforts and reducing physical waste within the organisation by educating staff working on the contract on the importance of resource preservation and minimising carbon footprint. 
• The supplier educated all staff working on this contract on waste segregation, recycling methods, and practical demonstrations. Staff were familiarised with various skips and containers available for waste disposal and trained on how to correctly segregate waste.
• P. McVey implemented a packaging and waste strategy across all areas of their business, including the factory, project sites, and offices/communal areas. 

4. Promoting Health and Wellbeing Initiatives:

• P. McVey were committed to fostering a positive and collaborative atmosphere for staff who worked on the contract. Hosting a social event each Friday, staff were able to come together and connect outside of their usual tasks helping to create a positive work environment, improve staff morale, build relationships, and strengthen teamwork.
• P. McVey allocated one hour per month which provided employees and managers engaged on the contract with time to focus on well-being and mental health. Part of this commitment seen regular materials for employees to read which promoted mental health awareness and well-being.  A designated mental health first aider was available to support employees when needed.
• During the contract, charitable donations totalling £750 were provided, giving back to the community.

The project achieved tangible social value created through its delivery:

1. Community Impact:
   • The school visit played a key role in engaging local young people and raising awareness about careers in construction, directly aligning with the project’s commitment to educational and skills development.
   • The community benefitted from charitable donations.
2. Environmental Benefits:
   • A successful packaging and waste strategy ensured that overall environmental impact of the contract was reduced, promoting a more sustainable approach to production, design and operations 
3. Health and Wellbeing Benefits:

• Initiatives delivered on this contract played a key role in creating a supportive and inclusive culture within the team who worked in delivering this contract.

Through the successful delivery of this contract, P McVey and EA has demonstrated compliance with PPN 01/21, ensuring that social value was embedded into every stage of the procurement and delivery process. 

The long-term social value generated by this project will continue to support the local school and wider community.