At Skills for Care, co-production is a practical approach to improving how social care is designed, delivered and experienced. We believe that social care works best when the people who draw on care and support are at the heart of shaping it. That belief is why co-production matters so deeply to us, as a way of working rooted in fairness, equality and respect.
What we mean by co-production
We are clear and intentional about how we use the term co-production. For us, co-production refers specifically to activity that involves individuals who draw on care and support. It’s not a light-touch consultation or a one-off opportunity to comment; it is a complete and equal partnership from beginning to end.
True co-production starts with a blank page. Everyone involved has shared ownership of the process and the outcome, and there is an assumption of equality throughout. Individuals are not invited in once decisions have already been made, they are there from the very start, shaping the work as it develops and meaningfully influencing change.
We also recognise that co-production is not always the right approach for every piece of work. That is why we ask important questions before deciding how to involve people:
- Does the end user include people who draw on care and support?
- Does the topic mean the voices of people who draw on care and support are essential to the quality and relevance of the work?
If the answer is yes, then co-production may be the right approach.
Why co-production matters in practice
Co-production matters because lived experience matters. People who draw on care and support are experts in their own lives. Their insights help us understand what genuinely works, what does not, and what needs to change. Without those voices, we risk developing work that is disconnected from reality, well-intentioned but ineffective.
By working in equal partnership, we challenge traditional power imbalances and recognise that knowledge does not only sit within organisations or professionals. Co-production ensures that people are not spoken about without being part of the conversation, and that change is not done to them but with them.
Co-production also builds trust. When people see that their views lead to real influence, not just token involvement, it creates stronger relationships and better outcomes. It leads to work that is more inclusive, realistic and relevant to the diverse experiences within social care.
We recognise that people are not a single group with a single perspective. Co-production allows us to hear different voices, challenge assumptions and better reflect the diversity of social care.
Meaningful influence
We’re committed to ensuring that people who work with us can be heard and can meaningfully influence change. That means being honest about what is possible, clear about how decisions will be made, and respectful of people’s time, knowledge and contributions.
We only co-produce or consult on work where individuals genuinely have the opportunity to influence outcomes.
Co-production is more than participation, it is shared responsibility and shared decision making.
How co-production works in practice
We recognise that meaningful involvement can take many forms. Depending on the purpose of the work, the needs of participants and the stage of a project, we use a range of different methods to involve people, including:
- Attending existing groups
- Convening one-off groups or roundtable discussions
- Sending out surveys
- Inviting individuals to speak at events or meetings
- Inviting people to help design resources or products
- Gathering feedback over email
- Running project groups or steering groups, where full co-production is appropriate
Each method offers different opportunities for engagement, and no single approach suits every situation. Our responsibility is to consider which approach will be most effective, inclusive and meaningful for the people involved.
Our commitment to the workforce
Skills for Care is committed to using consultation and co-production through a range of methods to involve people in our work. We will always consider the most appropriate and effective approach, ensuring that those who work with us are listened to and are able to meaningfully influence change.
Co-production matters because it leads to better work, stronger relationships and a more equal social care system. Most importantly, it matters because people who draw on care and support deserve to have a real say in shaping the systems, services and workforce that affect their lives.
By working together, from a blank page, we can create change that is truly informed by lived experience.
