Co-production in social care: What it is and how to do it

What is co-production - Introduction

Co-production is a slippery concept and if it is not clearly defined there is a danger that its meaning is diluted and its potential to transform services is reduced. At the same time, a definition that is too narrow can stifle creativity and decrease innovation. An important part of the process of co-production is for organisations and projects to come to an agreement on what they understand co-production to be and the principles that will guide its implementation.

This section of the guide looks at how co-production can be defined and then outlines a set of co-production principles that can help to give direction to co-production projects. It also looks at the policy context and the economics of co-production.

• Defining co-production
• Principles of co-production
• The policy and legal context
• The link with personalisation
• The economics of co-production