What is Co-Production

Co-production happens when parent carer forums play an integral and equal part in the decision-making process and are fully engaged in shaping, developing, implementing and evaluating services and systems.

Evidence shows that these partnerships often make the best use of people's time and money, whilst also improving outcomes for disabled children and young people, working in partnership and co production is a legal requirement for local authorities.

Co-production is an equal and reciprocal relationship where everyone’s knowledge and skills are used to create better outcomes. It should be seen as more than involvement, participation and engagement with Parents Carers and Young people, towards something that is about all who use SEND services being treated equally and having a more powerful role in the services they receive, so that their experience of these services is more meaningful and more in tune with what they need.

The local area definition of Co-production

‘For us, co-production is about placing equal value on the contributions of children, young people, parents, carers and professionals in making decisions and improving the services received and the experiences and outcomes of those living with SEND in Birmingham’

‘Co-production, therefore, requires involving people openly and inclusively right from the very start of their experiences with public services, as a means of building and maintaining trust, so that they can contribute fully to the commissioning, design, delivery and evaluation of services and outcomes.’
2022 Birmingham SEND Co-Production Framework and Charter

4 C's of Co-production

Co-commissioning

Parent Carers and Young People having a say in deciding how, what and where resources for support is spent

Co-design

Parent Carers and Young People agreeing the concept and the content of the project.

Co-delivery

Parent Carers and Young People being part of the development and delivery action plan.

Co-assessment

Parent Carers and Young People designing and reviewing evaluation forms and reviewing feedback.