Co-Production Isn’t a Buzzword — It’s a Mindset
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Blog 7 of 7 in our mini-series on Person-Centred Approaches: Core Principles & Values
We finish the series by exploring co-production — not as a buzzword, but as a mindset that transforms relationships and gives people true power over their support.
Co-production is often talked about in policies and tenders — but truly embedding it in practice is something few providers get right. And yet, if you're serious about person-centred support, co-production can’t be optional. It has to be fundamental.
Because person-centred approaches are about more than delivering good support — they’re about building equal partnerships.
🔄 Co-Production Means Shared Power
At its heart, co-production is about doing things with people, not to or for them. That includes:
- Involving people in designing services from the outset
- Collaborating on recruitment and staff training
- Reviewing support plans and policies together
It’s not about token consultation. It’s about sharing decision-making power in real, practical ways.
🧠 Changing the Culture
To embed co-production, you need to shift organisational culture:
- From “we know best” to “we’re here to learn together”
- From fixed systems to flexible conversations
- From delivering a service to building a shared vision
This doesn’t mean handing over responsibility without support. It means recognising that people drawing on support are experts by experience — and treating that expertise with the respect it deserves.
📣 What to Say in Tenders
Commissioners want to see how co-production is more than a word on a page. In your bids, show:
- Structures for ongoing involvement — not just one-off engagement
- How feedback leads to change, with real examples
- How co-production has improved outcomes and relationships
Be honest, too — if you’re still building your approach, describe what you’ve learned and how you’re embedding it further. That authenticity often speaks louder than flashy promises.
Explore all 7 blogs in our mini-series on Person-Centred Approaches: Core Principles & Values
- What Person-Centred Support Really Means – and Why It Matters in Tenders
- Personalisation in Practice: How to Embed Choice and Control
- Relationships First: Why Person-Centred Support Starts with Human Connection
- Control, Choice and Consent: Foundations of Person-Centred Support
- Relationships, Community and Belonging: The Often-Forgotten Side of Person-Centred Support
- Choice Isn’t Just About Options – It’s About Control
- Co-Production Isn’t a Buzzword – It’s a Mindset