Professional Pathway
The next stage in your development as a social value practitioner
The Professional Pathway is a multi-level professional qualification for those looking to understand, measure and report on social value. It assesses their skills, knowledge and practice in impact management so they can become effective social value practitioners. The Professional Pathway is also the first step in becoming a trainer or assurance assessor for Social Value International (SVI) and its affiliates.
Please note: The Professional Pathway is an individual accreditation and not a training course, but does operate in conjunction with Social Value and SROI Practitioner Training.
Level 1 – Social Value Associate
Level 1 Social Value Associate status shows the applicant has demonstrated theoretical competence in social value and impact management in line with the SVI Framework. This qualification is achieved by passing the online Social Value and Impact Management exam.
Level 2 – Accredited Practitioner
Level 2 Accredited Practitioner status shows the applicant has demonstrated practical competence in the application of social impact and social value assessment in line with the SVI Framework.
Level 3 – Advanced Practitioner
Level 3 Accredited Practitioner status shows the applicant has demonstrated advanced practical competence in the application of social impact and social value assessment with all aspects of SVI Framework applied in full.
Careers and professional development
The Institute for Social Value (ISV) supports your professional development through training, events, networking and opportunities to learn from fellow practitioners. We help you strengthen your practice and progress through the professional pathway run by Social Value International (SVI).
Developing your practice with ISV
Through ISV’s practitioner-led webinars, training, working groups and annual conference, you can explore challenges, exchange knowledge and develop approaches to social value and Social Return on Investment (SROI).
These opportunities complement the three levels of SVI Practitioner status, helping you develop your skills while connecting with the UK social value community.
Connecting with the wider profession
As an SVI Practitioner, you also join the global SVI Practitioner Community of Practice. Through meetings, online channels and forums, practitioners share experience, discuss challenges and contribute to tools and resources.
As you progress, further opportunities may include delivering training and workshops through the SVI network. After achieving Level 3 Advanced Practitioner status, you can explore becoming an SVI Accredited Trainer or an SVI Assurance Assessor, subject to the relevant requirements.
Continuing professional development
ISV’s learning and events programme offers opportunities to support your continuing professional development (CPD).
For the CPD requirements associated with SVI Practitioner status, see the SVI Practitioner CPD guidance. If you are applying to renew your status, use the CPD statement template.
FAQs
No. The Professional Pathway is an individual accreditation, no training is provided as part of the pathway. The Pathway does operate in conjunction with our Social Value and SROI Practitioner Training. In order to progress to Level 2 and Level 3, an individual must have completed a Social Value International accredited training course.
They are very similar. Both test a practical application of the SVI principles and framework for accounting for value. Applicants must be members, a Level 1 Social Value Associate and author a report that passes SVI Report Assurance as part of their application. The main difference is as follows:
Level 2 Accredited Practitioner status can be achieved through a more supported pathway, with the option to undertake mentoring or use the Pre-Report Assurance Outcomes Check. Level 2 Accredited Practitioners can also author a report that is assured with limitations attached, namely ‘Limitation of the application of Principle 4: Only include what is material’, where an analysis has included material outcomes for only a limited group of stakeholders – the main beneficiary group or groups.
Level 3 Advanced Practitioner status is achieved by producing a report that meets all of the principles, with no limitations. It includes what matters to all stakeholders affected by the activities. Level 3 Advanced Practitioners have not completed their analysis with additional mentoring or support, and have not used a staggered assurance route and so they have demonstrated advanced Social Value and SROI practice.
Please note: Applicants can jump from Level 1 Social Value Associate to Level 3 Advanced Practitioner status. It is not a requirement that an applicant must become a Level 2 Accredited Practitioner before becoming a Level 3 Advanced Practitioner.