The SRAG Charter is a framework for creating social value by opening up measurable opportunity: through governed, evidence-based recruitment practices, community and schools engagement, and collaboration between employers and partners who want to raise the standard together.
The purpose of the Charter Mark is to recognise, promote and celebrate excellence in social value, distinguishing organisations for the depth and reach of their impact.
Holding the mark enhances an organisation's reputation by demonstrating commitment to high standards and best practice across a range of activity, from inclusive recruitment to progressive procurement, driving a culture of continuous improvement.
Levels are assigned on completion of a structured assessment review, undertaken in collaboration with the SRAG Secretariat and members of the PeoplePlus Social Value Solutions team.
Ambassador level is attained by members that embed social value across their core business decisions, from governance to supply chain. It requires organisations to encourage their own supply chain to adopt inclusive recruitment principles, and to actively advocate for social value in their external communication and engagement.
Patron is the newest level of the Charter, introduced in 2026 for organisations ready to help shape SRAG's future direction. Patron members bring their most senior leaders into the room, at summits, leadership round tables and ministerial meetings, and use that platform to open doors for the wider network. They bring in new members, champion social recruitment across their sectors, and mentor other organisations on their own social value journey, sharing insight, innovation and, where relevant, investment to raise standards across SRAG as a whole. No SRAG member has reached Patron status yet.
The process is designed to help organisations progress across the levels, enabling as many members as possible to achieve their highest potential Charter status and drive the creation of an equitable working world. Patron sits beyond this as an additional level for organisations ready to help lead that work for the whole network.
The Charter Mark scheme supports the development of sector-agnostic social value principles, opening up routes into employment for anyone who may face disadvantage in the labour market. It provides members and partners with an understandable, shareable symbol that spotlights their commitment to inclusive recruitment, community engagement and measurable impact.
The Levels
Bronze holding organisations have committed to open, inclusive and diverse recruitment processes that support better representation from groups that may face disadvantage in the labour market. Membership and sign-up to the charter awards this level automatically in all but exceptional circumstances.
In addition to activities reflected at Bronze level, Silver Charter mark members share social recruitment success measures tailored to their organisational social value objectives.
Members at Gold Charter Mark level have met Bronze and Silver criteria and are in an advanced stage of their social value journey, adding metrics and mechanisms that enable them to publicly share the evidence of their progression and how it will be sustained.
At Ambassador level, members complete all of the above, demonstrate continuous improvement and act as advocates to broaden the social recruitment movement. They act as external and internal ambassadors for the benefits of social value recruitment, amplifying the work by attracting new organisations into the movement. Ambassadors welcome the opportunity to showcase the positive societal impact created not only by their efforts, but the efforts of others. Ambassadors will regularly share their work within the SRAG and will mentor and support new SRAG recruits to create long-lasting impact.
Beyond Ambassador, Patron members bring their most senior leaders directly into SRAG's work, shaping its future direction and mentoring other organisations to raise the standard across the network.
