Co production

Co-production and user involvement

Co-production and user involvement are useful and inspirational tools in the design and delivery of effective services in the voluntary sector. Aside from being good practice it is also increasingly a demand from funders that organisations can demonstrate a genuine commitment to involving their communities as equal partners in the process.

What is co-production?

The term co-production describes a shift in the relationship between communities and organisations that deliver services. It is a process through which communities can become equal partners in the design, delivery and evaluation of services. Co-production can be a shift in mindset and activity from ‘doing for’ to ‘doing with’ Some organisations will do this naturally as part of their day to day activity and for some it will require more of a shift.

What is not co-production?

Co-production is not consultation or engagement. It is not a case of simply gathering people in a room and telling them about what you are doing. It is not just about asking a group of people what they think about something, but about actively involving them in a shared process.

Principles of co-production

There are many principles that underpin co-production but largely they can be boiled down to 3 key principles.

Top tips

Here are some tips for voluntary and community groups on how to effectively incorporate co-production and user involvement into their work:

Make sure you know WHY you want to involve people in what you are doing and are able to clearly explain that to the people you work with.

Identifying where you are

When an organisation is looking to use co-production or user involvement in its work it is important to be honest about:

• Where on the ladder of participation you currently sit.

• What would be necessary in order to climb the ladder.

• How possible is it for the organisation to take these steps.

•  Is co-production or user involvement necessary or appropriate.

It can be useful to work to identify where you as an organisation currently sit in your co-production journey.

A useful tool for doing this is the New Economics Foundation Co-Production Self Assessment Framework.

It can also be useful to look at what user involvement activities you have undertaken and assess what you feel has been successful or less successful. This can help you to make decisions about methods of user involvement to adopt and also whether co-production and user involvement is effective or appropriate for the work that you do.

Appendix 1 is a simple self-evaluation form you can use in order to do this.

Resources

Tower Hamlets Together Co-production toolkit - a guide to implement co-production in practice.

Co-Production Collective - a community of people interested in co-production.

MIND Influence and Participation toolkit - a toolkit for organisations which with to engage with people with mental health problems in a meaningful way.

Stronger Together - A co-production toolkit from Ageing Better - a substantial toolkit to involve people in the design of services that impact them and their communities.

If you have any questions about any of the information in this resource, THCVS can give 1-1 support and advice. Please email us at info@thcvs.org.uk.