Social value case study: Home Office, Phoenix Software, Rio Ferdinand Foundation and Microsoft
Updated 23 September 2026
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Supporting tomorrow’s female tech leaders to build confidence and digital skills through social value.
About the programme
Organisations involved:
- Home Office
- Phoenix Software
- Rio Ferdinand Foundation
- Microsoft
Participants: 10 Year 7 pupils from Fairfield High School, Tameside
Programme duration: February to April 2026
Context
The Home Office, working with Phoenix Software, the Rio Ferdinand Foundation and Microsoft, supported a technology and employability programme for pupils in Tameside, Greater Manchester. The programme was delivered as part of Phoenix Software’s social value commitments under a Home Office contract, supporting wider benefits beyond delivery of the core service.
The initiative was designed to help address gender imbalance in technology careers by building confidence, developing digital skills and increasing awareness of future career opportunities in the sector. Through the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, the programme worked with Fairfield High School in Tameside to support 10 Year 7 pupils identified by their teachers for the initiative. Participants developed digital and coding skills using App Lab, gaining hands-on experience in app design and development. Alongside their technical learning, they completed a Level 1 Open College Network accreditation in Self-Confidence and took part in workshops focused on public speaking, communication and presentation skills.
Challenge
The programme aimed to support pupils who had limited exposure to technology careers and female tech leaders working in the sector.
It needed to provide a practical and supportive experience that would help them build confidence, develop communication skills and understand how digital skills can connect to future career opportunities.
Actions taken
Phoenix Software worked with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation and Microsoft to design and deliver a four-week digital skills programme centred on app development. Participants worked in teams to design and build their own app concepts using App Lab, supported by weekly mentoring sessions delivered by Phoenix Software specialists.
Alongside technical learning, participants took part in workshops focused on communication, presentation skills and self-confidence. Every participant completed a Level 1 Open College Network accreditation in Self-Confidence, helping to reinforce the programme’s emphasis on personal development as well as technical capability.
The programme culminated in a showcase event at Microsoft’s office in Manchester, where the students presented their app ideas to representatives from Phoenix Software, Microsoft, the Home Office and the Rio Ferdinand Foundation. The event provided a workplace safari experience featuring:
- AI debates and emerging technology discussions
- Microsoft Copilot activities
- laptop repair workshops
- career insight sessions
- speed networking with technology professionals
- female role model presentations from across the technology sector
By combining practical technology skills, mentorship and direct employer engagement, the programme provided a real world introduction to the opportunities available within the digital sector.
Outcomes and impact
The programme delivered social value outcomes for participants and provided a practical example of how contract commitments can create wider community benefit.
Increased confidence and self-belief
All participants completed confidence building activities and achieved a recognised accreditation, helping to improve their communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
Feedback showed strong engagement, with participants reporting improved confidence, communication and awareness of technology careers.
Improved digital skills
Participants gained hands-on experience of coding, app design and emerging technologies.
Greater awareness of technology careers
By working with technology professionals from Phoenix Software, Microsoft and the Home Office, participants explored a range of technical and non-technical career pathways and learned more about future opportunities in the sector.
Positive role models and employer engagement
The programme connected pupils with female role models and technology professionals, helping to address limited exposure to women working in the sector and providing career insights participants may not otherwise have encountered.
Demonstrable social value impact
The initiative demonstrated how social value commitments under a Home Office contract can support wider objectives around skills development, inclusion and future workforce diversity. It also provided a practical example of how contract commitments can create wider community benefit beyond delivery of the core service.
Participant feedback
This really helped me develop my communication and people skills.
It was fun to work with people from different technology companies!
Looking ahead
The initiative provides a practical example of how social value commitments can support pupils to build confidence, develop digital skills and learn more about future career pathways.
Learning from this activity can help inform future approaches to delivering social value through Home Office contracts.