Co-production begins before the answer is decided

Ideas for everyday support

Working together means creating space for people to influence decisions, understand the boundaries and see what changed because they took part.

A meeting can include people who use a service and still leave the important decisions untouched. Genuine involvement needs a clearer question: what can the people in the room actually influence?

Our 2025 reflection looks at co-production as a practical way of working. The term becomes useful when it changes the relationship between an organisation and the people whose lives its decisions affect.

What makes co-production different?

SCIE describes co-production in terms of partnership and shared power with people who draw on care and support, carers and others. Asking for a view after a plan is finished is a different level of involvement from shaping the question at the beginning.

Before inviting people to take part, explain the decision being considered. Identify what is open to change and which boundaries already exist. This helps participants decide whether and how they want to contribute.

Who is able to take part?

Consider whether the arrangements favour the people most comfortable speaking in meetings. Timing, transport, communication, payment arrangements and the setting can affect participation. A single invitation format may leave important experiences unheard.

Offer appropriate ways to contribute. Some people may prefer a small conversation, written information in advance or support from a chosen person. Ask what would make participation easier and explain what can be arranged.

How will contributions influence the work?

Record suggestions accurately and make room for disagreement. A contribution should not be reduced to a general statement of satisfaction when the person has raised a specific question.

After the discussion, explain what will happen to the information. If several options remain, describe how they will be considered. If a suggestion cannot be followed, give a clear reason rather than allowing it to disappear from the record.

How will people see the result?

A feedback loop is part of the work. People should be able to see which decisions were made, how their input influenced them and what is still being considered. Use a format participants can access.

Where a change is introduced, invite people to review the experience of it. A solution that sounded useful in a meeting may work differently in daily life. Continuing the conversation helps avoid treating an initial decision as the final answer.

A quick check before the next invitation

Is there a decision people can genuinely influence?
Are the boundaries explained clearly?
Can people participate using an approach that suits them?
Is there a plan to report back and review the result?

Co-production is easier to recognise in what follows the meeting than in the title on its agenda. The reflection from 2025 is to make influence visible, and to keep the relationship open as the work develops.