Title image: The Co-production Guide

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Introduction to Section 1 What is co-production? Why co-production? Participation and co-production What does co-production look like?
Introduction to Section 2 How to start co-production Methods and techniques Spotlight on lived experience panels Spotlight on facilitation techniques Supporting people in co-production
Introduction to section 3 Advocating for co-production The policy context Frameworks and tools
Introduction to Section 4 Reflecting, evaluating and learning Tips and helpful resources for evaluation

Purpose and content of the guide  

The focus of this guide is to help a range of people do co-production better and to help embed co-production processes in the work and systems of those organisations that are involved in designing and delivering services for individuals, families and communities.

Co (one of our mascots) with a speech bubble saying ‘Welcome to the Co-production Guide!’

It is also intended to help people identify what co-production is (and isn’t) and what it looks like in a range of different contexts.   

If you’re not sure that you’re doing ‘full’ co-production, don’t worry - as with all engagement processes co-production isn’t neat and tidy, in fact it can be downright messy at times. We’ll be using examples and illustrations throughout to help you understand what co-production looks like in all its glorious messiness! 

You’ll see this symbol wherever there is a link to a case study or resource.

Why has this guide been produced? 

The first steps in this process started to emerge during Co Production Week 2022 where many of the network members highlighted the need for a useful and practical guide to co-production. This would help them to develop their own practice and also begin to establish it within their own organisations.

This largely reflected a growing view that we need to move from talking about co-pro to actually doing it. Also, we were hearing from network members that they thought they were doing co-production but maybe it wasn’t perfect, whilst others didn’t know if they were doing co-production or not – so the idea of a ‘spotters guide’ to co-production began to emerge.   

As we will explore through this guide, co-production is a process which involves people in working with others in a mutual, trusting and purposeful manner. It doesn’t need to be perfect, but it should be as good as it can be, and we should always be seeking to improve. This guide aims to help people do just that, developing and improving their practice as individuals as well as within their organisations and structures.  

Audience – who is this guide for? 

The guide is primarily aimed at practitioners in a range of settings and working at different levels. These settings may include:   

  • The public sector – health, social care, other services 

  • The third sector – national or local voluntary organisations 

  • The community sector – community-led projects or groups 

  • The private or independent sector – those involved particularly in service provision  

Although it is targeted at practitioners – those people who are actually designing or delivering services in a co-productive fashion – it will also be of use to service planners, commissioners, managers and funders.  

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Tell us what you think!

We have launched the guide as 'version 1.0' and plan use your feedback and ideas to develop it further over the coming months. So, have a read and tell us what you think!

You can use this form to share your thoughts on the guide - you can add in your details or give us feedback anonymously.