Co-Production in Supported Living: Practical Models That Actually Work
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Co-production is no longer a “nice to have” in Supported Living — it is a core commissioning requirement. Providers must show how people shape their own support, how families and advocates are included, and how insight drives service design. For related reading, see articles on Person-Centred Approaches and Transitions.
What Commissioners Mean by Co-Production
True co-production involves shared decision-making at:
- Individual level (support planning, risk decisions, goal-setting).
- Service level (policies, recruitment, training content).
- Organisational level (strategy, quality reviews, improvement plans).
Practical Co-Production Models That Work
1. Peer Partner Panels
Panels of people supported who:
- Interview prospective support workers.
- Shape training delivery and content.
- Provide lived-experience insight for policy updates.
2. Co-Designed Support Plans
High-quality plans demonstrate:
- Decisions made with the person, not for them.
- Shared ownership between the person, family and MDT partners.
- Use of accessible formats and communication tools.
3. Lived Experience Quality Checks
Providers stand out when they use:
- Lived-experience auditors to conduct reviews.
- Peer feedback sessions to identify improvement themes.
- Co-produced action plans with transparent updates.
4. Family & Advocate Partnerships
Strong co-production models:
- Invite families to participate in planning and review structures.
- Offer training to help families understand PBS, safeguarding and risk-sharing.
- Share responsibilities and expectations clearly.
Evidencing Co-Production in Tenders
- Use specific examples (e.g., “People we support redesigned our recruitment questions”).
- Show the structure — panels, groups, forums, quality partners.
- Demonstrate impact (changes made, feedback themes, improved outcomes).
- Include lived-experience quotes, anonymised but real.
Co-production is both a value and a commissioning differentiator. Providers who embed it deeply — and can evidence it — consistently achieve higher tender scores.
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