Co-Producing Support Plans With Commissioners: A Practical Framework for Supported Living
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Co-production is becoming a central expectation in commissioning, especially for individuals with learning disabilities and autistic people. True co-production goes beyond signatures and agreements — it’s a shared process of designing support that is safe, empowering and sustainable. If you’re developing support models, you may also value articles under Service Models & Best Practice and PBS in Supported Living.
This article offers a practical framework for co-producing support plans with commissioners, ensuring clarity, accountability and alignment with the person’s long-term aspirations.
1. Start with shared understanding of the individual
Effective co-production starts long before writing begins. Providers, families, commissioners and MDT professionals must first understand:
- the person’s priorities and what a good life looks like
- past support models and what has or has not worked
- communication style and preferred routines
- triggers, environmental factors and sensory needs
- key risks and protective factors
This creates a shared baseline, reducing misunderstanding and preventing support drift in future months.
2. Co-produce goals and outcomes, not just hours
Commissioners want support plans that are purpose-led rather than activity-led. When outcomes are co-produced, everyone has clarity on what success looks like. Useful categories include:
- Independence: daily living skills, travel, confidence
- Wellbeing: routines, sleep, sensory regulation
- Community: friendships, meaningful activity
- Safety: risk mitigation, situational awareness
- Stability: PBS strategies, emotional regulation
Outcomes should be realistic, measurable and framed in everyday language.
3. Build the support model collaboratively
Commissioners value transparent justification for staffing levels, ratios and skill mix. Co-production involves:
- mapping a typical week with the person and family
- identifying times of higher or lower intensity support
- agreeing where independence can be safely encouraged
- aligning staffing levels with PBS or risk patterns
This creates a model that is defendable, stable and aligned with commissioner priorities.
4. Embed PBS throughout the plan
PBS is a core commissioning expectation, not an optional extra. Co-production should ensure:
- proactive strategies are used daily
- environmental adaptations reduce triggers
- staff have PBS competency or planned training
- data collection informs future adjustments
Commissioners want evidence that PBS is lived practice, not just written theory.
5. Co-produce risk management as a positive process
Risk management often becomes overly restrictive when not co-produced. A positive risk approach requires:
- clear articulation of what matters to the individual
- identification of where risk is acceptable or can be mitigated
- use of technology (e.g., sensors, epilepsy monitoring) to reduce restrictions
- dynamic risk reviews that respond to changes in need
Commissioners appreciate proportional, person-centred frameworks that demonstrate safety without unnecessary control.
6. Agree review cycles and escalation pathways
To maintain trust and stability, co-production should also include agreement on:
- how often outcomes will be reviewed
- how data will be shared
- how emerging concerns will be escalated
- who needs to be present at MDT iterations
This prevents drift and ensures consistent oversight.
Final thought
Co-production creates stronger, safer and more sustainable support arrangements. When providers and commissioners plan collaboratively, the focus shifts from managing risk to building a life that reflects the individual’s aspirations.
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