Back to Promoting Co-production in Adult Social Care…
Community Service Review Co-design Group Update
The Community Services Co-Design Group has representation from Providers, VCS, Service Users and Carers (although using the co-production approach membership, like all decisions, is adapted by the group).
The first meeting was in October 2023 and we are now meeting every 3 weeks, working co-productively and collaboratively to develop new ways of engaging with service users and their carers to understand their wants and needs. The current approach is to explore service users lived experience of community services by gathering their stories using a co-designed template. These stories are then accessibly shared with a diverse range of communities as a communication tool with groups or in one to ones. There are currently plans to record some stories as audio and video to make them as accessible as possible. Feedback themes are gathered at each meeting. We will be working collaboratively to make sure that this feedback is impactful as possible.
Co-production Evidence Gathering Tool
Please look at our new Co-production Evidence Gathering and Tools Page. You will find it useful if you are thinking about how to do Co-productive Work.
Gathering evidence of co-production is important because it shows that everyone involved has had a say in the project or policy. This makes the results more fair, effective, and long-lasting. It also helps organizations be open about their work, build trust, and keep improving based on real feedback from people.
We have developed a simple diary you can use to share your experiences of using Co-production in your work:
https://www.devon.gov.uk/haveyoursay/co-production-evidence/
Reviewing Co-production work undertaken during 2023/2024
We the Co-production Working Group have done a brief study of Co-production activity in 2023 in Devon , here is the Summary.
Several positive outcomes were identified. Some outcomes of the projects are summarised below,
- After a number of monthly sessions, the Co-production UP Action Group co-produced the key statements that all review processes should prioritise. These have now been shared with Social Care Commissioners for them to implement fully with
relevant staff. - A film was produced showing examples of Co-production. This will be used in awareness sessions and workshops. The group have offered support to other LD groups and beyond in Co-production.
- Co-design of the Social Care Practice Standard Document was achieved with a Co-productive
statement being included and a planned Co-production of video of adult social care
experiences. - Service user feedback and Co-production approach from the website re design focus group
made a significant difference to the design and usability of the Devon County Council Adult
Social Care webpages.
Where do I start with Co-production…?
The Co-production Working Group are here and happy to give support if you need any advice on a project you may be starting and not sure where to begin!
If you work within Devon County Council, then you could attend one of Co-production Advisory Group (COAG). The COAG are a group who are enthusiastic about developing co-production in adult social care who meet regularly and provide an opportunity for staff such as Commissioners and Project Managers to discuss how to apply co-production to their projects and work.
If you would like to attend one of our COAG sessions then please contact: adultsc.coproductiontaskfinish-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
What’s it like being a member of the co-production working group?
We have asked our members what their thoughts are and how they feel about being part of the Co-production Working Group and this is what they had to say!
” When I went on the first ever co-production awareness session in Devon I became really excited because Devon People First who I worked for, have always worked in a co-productive way but we didn’t know the term. It made me feel that I had something to offer the co-production working group and the wider Devon adult social care engagement network including commissioners, it’s a different way of working where everyone has an equal voice which is so important when working together and something I have always believed in and been passionate to achieve”.
“As I always been so passionate about co-production and the importance of it ,for me it been a valuable opportunity to help our community in a positive, practical way”
What’s happening next
What’s Happening Next – More Co-production Awareness Sessions available:
These courses are open to all and cover the history, principles and challenges of Co-production – all courses are run by the Co-production Working Group . The Co-production Working Group are looking at ways of working in partnership with people who use services, carers and citizens to improve public services. The Group is made up of people with lived experience of receiving Adult Social Care and support and carers.
To book a course and find out more – Co-production Awareness Training and Network – Have Your Say (devon.gov.uk)
For help and support with Co-production, please contact us using our Co-production mailbox: adultsc.coproductiontaskfinish-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
To find out more about the full range of Adult Social Care engagement activities supported by the Involvement & Equality Team, please use: socialcareinvolvement-mailbox@devon.gov.uk.