In many respects the narratives that exist in Devon highlighting strengths and good practice mirror the further developments needed. Here are priorities* identified by Devon partners at the Cornerstones event.
*These are grouped by Cornerstone and to create focus only those receiving three or more stars are included. Devon partners may wish to include other priorities identified (see Devon’s Co-production narratives p.20) or explore alternative ways of prioritising, for example seeking feedback from young people and families about which is the one they would most like to try and change straight away
Welcome and care
- Individuals showing kindness and empathy:
Navigating systems can create trauma, hardship and mental health issues for young people and families. - Building relationships:
Transitions (for example to secondary school, for neurodiverse young people, and to adult services). - Recognising volunteer efforts – giving tangible rewards:
Some families and young people say they have never experienced welcome and care. - Staff wellbeing:
Practices can feel combative and blaming.
Value and include
- Investment in consistency within relationships:
An increase in the pressure for EHCs and specialist provision and support. - Investment in support that is meaningful:
Gaps in services – are community and voluntary organisations needing to compensate? - Genuine inclusion and flexibility to meet needs – young people and families want to participate and collaborate so long as reasonable adjustments are made for them:
When there is an absence of adjustments and inclusion, or tokenism, all of which results in people feeling excluded.
Communicate
- When people listen, communicate and take action as a result:
No response or not feeling heard. - Communication between schools and wider LA services:
The option of communicating with a person rather than being signposted to a website.
Accessibility of communication.
Work in partnership
- Young people wanting to have a voice in decisions that affect them:
Some young people say they do not feel they have a voice or it can feel tokenistic, which brings them powerlessness and frustration. - When there is recognition that parent carers and young people are a significant resource, for example in holistic approach to health assessments:
Partnership working at an individual level can be ad hoc and happens more often when things go wrong - When there is a ‘working with’ and equal partnership approach at individual and strategic levels:
Understanding and embedding coproduction and the Cornerstones needs to happen more consistently in systems (rather than people). This is seen as a welcome challenge. - The will to work in partnership – LA and Health service transformation, and area commitment to the Cornerstones:
There could be better recognition of the stress placed on parent/carers who also want to work in partnership strategically – capacity needs to be created for this work.
There are different perceptions of the role and functioning of the Parent Carer Forum which suggests a focus is needed on communication.
It is acknowledged by all partners that although people have worked hard, often with drive, inspiring passion and commitment, to enable progress in Devon despite the challenging historical context, co-production needs to be further embedded and experienced more consistently. It is positive that there is a shared understanding that this is the case, and that systemic change at a strategic level means partners are better positioned to continue the journey ahead together.
It is important to remember that co-production is dynamic, often messy, more of a process than an outcome, and is always ongoing.