How to Evidence Co-Production in Your Social Care Service
“Co-production” has become a buzzword across health and social care policy — from Care Act guidance to local commissioning plans. But for many providers, the challenge is not just doing co-production, but evidencing it in a way that wins tenders, satisfies inspectors, and improves services.
In this article, we explore what true co-production looks like, what CQC and commissioners expect to see, and how you can demonstrate it effectively.
🤝 What Is Co-Production?
At its heart, co-production means working with people — not doing things to or for them. It’s about sharing power and involving those with lived experience in:
- Designing services and policies
- Recruiting and training staff
- Developing care plans and support models
- Monitoring quality and performance
It goes beyond consultation. True co-production means people influence decisions and outcomes meaningfully.
📋 What CQC and Commissioners Want to See
Under the Care Act 2014, co-production is embedded in wellbeing principles. CQC’s new single assessment framework also emphasises:
- “Working with people” as a quality statement
- Evidence of person-led decision-making and inclusive practices
- Use of feedback and lived experience to shape services
Commissioners increasingly award marks for co-production within tenders — especially under social value sections or added value criteria.
✅ How to Evidence Co-Production
To make co-production more visible, consider including:
- Minutes or feedback from co-production groups
- Examples of how service changes were based on lived experience
- Involvement in staff training or recruitment panels
- Easy Read or inclusive consultation materials
- Quotes and stories from people you support
It’s not enough to say you do co-production — show how, who with, and what changed as a result.
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Chat on WhatsApp or email Mike.Harrison@impact-guru.co.uk
Updated for Procurement Act 2023 • CQC-aligned • BASE-aligned (where relevant)