Legislation around co-production
Co-production is increasingly embedded in key pieces of legislation.
In some cases the word co-production is used, in others the principles of co-production are strongly embedded.
Health, social care and education are particularly relevant including:
Care Act 2014
Local authorities should, where possible, actively promote participation in providing interventions that are co-produced with individuals, families, friends, carers and the community.
Children and Families Act 2014
The principles of co-production are embedded in the act.
Health and Care Act 2022
Working with people and communities is critical if we are to create a health and care service which offers personalised care, is tailored to the needs of each individual, and which works for everyone.
The SEND code of practice
Local authorities must have regard to:
- the views, wishes and feelings of the child or young person, and the child’s parents
- the importance of the child or young person, and the child’s parents, participating as fully as possible in decisions - they should be provided with the information and support necessary to enable participation in those decisions
- the need to support the child or young person, and the child’s parents, in order to facilitate the development of the child or young person and to help them achieve the best possible educational and other outcomes - this will prepare them effectively for adulthood
Inspection frameworks
CQC framework
The single assessment framework will be rolled out across the country in 2023 and applies to providers, local authorities and integrated care systems. The 5 key areas all have statements and key lines of enquiry attached to them. Links to co-production within the framework include:
- safe: solutions are developed collaboratively - services are planned and organised with people and communities in a way that improves their safety across their care journeys
- effective: people and communities have the best possible outcomes - services work in harmony, with people at the centre of their care
- caring: we treat people as individuals and make sure their care, support and treatment meets their needs and preferences - we take account of their strengths, abilities, aspirations, culture and unique backgrounds and protected characteristics
- responsive: people and communities are always at the centre of how care is planned and delivered
- well-led: there is an inclusive and positive culture of continuous learning and improvement - we have inclusive leaders at all levels
Ofsted
In May 2021, Ofsted released research into the provision of support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) across the UK. This highlighted significant weaknesses in current approaches including gaps in external provision and training, lack of coordination between services, lack of accountability and weak co-production.
From 2023, Ofsted will use the following framework to inspect local arrangements for children and young people with SEND. The second point is particularly relevant to co-production.
Using co-production will help strengthen the work towards all these priorities.
- Children and young people receive the right help and support at the right time.
- Children, young people and their families participate in decision-making about their individual plans and support.
- Children and young people’s needs are identified accurately and assessed in a timely and effective way.
- Children and young people are well prepared for their next steps and achieve strong outcomes.
- Children and young people with SEND are valued, visible and included in their communities.
- Leaders are ambitious for children and young people with SEND.
- Leaders actively engage and work with children, young people and families.
- Leaders have an accurate, shared understanding of the needs of children and young people in their local area.
- Leaders commission services and provision to meet the needs and aspirations of children and young people.
- Leaders evaluate services and make improvements.
- Leaders create an environment for effective practice and multi-agency working to flourish.