The benefits of co-produced services

By Ann Macfarlane, Member of the Co-production Network and former SCIE trustee.

Co-produced services are about professional people and the expertise of those who require services to share their knowledge, plan, develop a strategy and take action to the benefit of all parties. The result of this equality and diversity work is to enable those involved to understand what empowerment means and the choice and control that will evolve. 

Commissioners, managers and front line staff will enjoy their roles and jobs more, those who need and use services will know that their statutory and community providers have a better grasp of an individual’s situation and can identify and prioritise what will enable a disabled or disabled and ill person to gain, retain and/or maintain control in their life as much as they want or are able.

Co-produced work will lead to best practice, provide a new learning experience and job satisfaction. In turn this will mean less time dealing with complaints and cause less misery to those who are dependant on support. Evaluation and outcomes will provide wellbeing, with money and services more appropriately distributed. 

It may even mean less time is wasted, with the same or less money devoted to excellent provision and outcomes. There will be times when co-production may throw up obstacles and usually working on solutions will provide additional learning with further empowerment.

There is nothing to lose and much to learn, achieve and gain for all involved in co-production.