Closing the gaps in co-production

Co-production Week 2024

Every July, we take the time to celebrate the benefits of co-production, but it’s also important to use this opportunity to look at where we can continue to improve our approach to it.

The process of co-production isn’t always easy, but it is always hugely rewarding for everyone involved. This is why it’s so important we get it right and always explore ways to do things better.

This Co-production Week, we are throwing a spotlight on four key areas that we have previously identified as needing greater focus to make sure co-production is as inclusive and as effective as possible. These are:

• increasing equity and diversity in co-production
• demonstrating the impact and difference co-production makes and how we can make a good business case for it
• accessing better training and development, and
• the need for clearer definitions and language around co-production and social care.

Last week on LinkedIn, many of you told us that highlighting the impact co-production can make is a particular challenge. We’re pleased to be able to support you in this with our new Co-production impact resource, which will help you develop a flexible framework to demonstrate impact more easily and consistently. And of course, it has been developed with the support of people with lived experience of care, and co-production practitioners to make sure it is grounded in best practice.

You have also been telling us on X that increasing equity and diversity is a struggle. We will be discussing this, and the other key areas, in more detail throughout the week and particularly as part of a workshop at our online conference on Wednesday.

Ahead of Co-production Week, I had the pleasure of speaking to Patrick Wood, Chair of our Co-production Steering Group. We had an interesting discussion about the four ‘missing’ areas we have identified, and what needs to change and how.

As Patrick said during our conversation, by focusing on what’s missing in co-production, we hope to spark discussions and innovations to address these gaps and ultimately improve people’s experience of co-production in social care.

If you would like help to address ‘what’s missing’ from your co-production approach, please contact SCIE at info@scie.org.uk to hear more about how we can support you.