Cambridgeshire County Council believes that its residents should be involved in the council decisions that affect their daily lives. One way of ensuring that this happens is by enabling our residents to have an equal say in the co-production of the local services which they use. We know that working together with the people who use our services is the best way to ensure that local people’s needs are met and that the best use is made of the resources available.
The council is committed to co-production being central to its work.
What is co-production?
The word ‘co-production’ refers to a way of working whereby everybody works together on an equal basis to create a service or come to a decision which works for them all. It’s based on the principle that those who access a service are best placed to design it.
The SUN Network Co-production and Involvement Best Practice Guidance, which has been adopted as the basis for our approach to co-production, states that co-production is:
‘When people who fund services, people who deliver services, and people who use services all work together, having an equal say on designing and delivering the service.
It takes place from the very start of designing a service to the final delivery, including continuous feedback.’
Why is co-production important?
Co-production is important because:
- everyone can work together as equal partners
- everyone’s contribution is valued
- everyone can share their views
- people involved in co-production learn new skills, build stronger communities and develop new networks
- it provides better outcomes which help to improve people’s lives
- it is an efficient use of everybody’s time – saving money and resources
What can co-production be used for?
Co-production can be working together on anything, from the design of a leaflet used in a service, to the writing of a strategy, or the design of a service that is going to be commissioned.
Think Local, Act Personal (Home - TLAP) describes how co-production can take place at different levels:
‘At an individual level, people can come together to co-produce how a single person’s care and support works for them.
At a service level, people can come together to co-produce projects or services together.
At a strategic level, people can come together to co-produce how an organisation will work in the future. This might be by creating a plan or strategy, or new laws.’
When co-production works best, people who use services are valued by organisations as equal partners, can share power and have influence over decisions made.
How to get involved
To find out more about how your experiences could shape our Adult Social Care services, you can register your interest with our local co-production and engagement groups.
