What Is Co-Production in Social Care — And How Do You Evidence It?
Co-production is no longer just a best-practice principle — it’s a commissioning and regulatory expectation. But what does it actually mean, and how can providers show that they’re doing it well?
In this article, we explore how co-production fits into the current social care landscape, what CQC and commissioners look for, and how you can evidence it effectively in tenders and service delivery.
🔍 What Is Co-Production?
Co-production means working in genuine partnership with the people who use services — not just asking for feedback after decisions are made, but involving people from the very start of planning, design, and delivery.
It’s based on principles of equality, shared power, and mutual respect. The goal is to move from “doing to” and “doing for” towards “doing with.”
✅ What Commissioners and CQC Expect
Commissioners and regulators increasingly expect to see:
- Involvement of people with lived experience in service design
- Accessible engagement methods (not just formal meetings)
- Examples of co-production influencing real decisions
- Roles for people with lived experience (e.g. interview panels, steering groups)
- Feedback loops that show what changed as a result
Co-production isn’t just a section in your strategy — it should be part of how your organisation thinks and works day to day.
🧠 How to Evidence Co-Production in Tenders
- Give real examples — What has changed in your service because of co-production?
- Be specific — Who was involved? How? What tools did you use?
- Include quotes or outcomes — Show how people felt heard and what difference it made
- Link it to the local area — How does your approach reflect local priorities?
The best responses also include future plans — not just what you’ve done, but how you’ll embed co-production going forward.
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Updated for Procurement Act 2023 • CQC-aligned • BASE-aligned (where relevant)