The concept of co-production, giving those using the services the opportunity to participate in their design, planning and delivery is very important in social services, and is at the core of the European Social Network (ESN)’s activities.
The incidence of people experiencing multiple disadvantages such as gender-based violence and abuse, substance use, mental illness, homelessness, unemployment, and the removal of children due to harm in the home is increasing. These individuals experience poorer health and socio-economic outcomes and often require significant support.
Last month, in collaboration with Deloitte, ESN organised a webinar with experts from the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Portugal and Ireland to share innovative ways to implement co-production to support people with complex and multiple needs.
Exploring the concept of co-production
“We co-produce so that people using services feel listened to, supported in expressing their views and involved in decision making,” said ESN’s CEO Alfonso Lara-Montero, opening the discussion.
Co-production brings about better relationships between people who use services and the professionals. Co-production should be particularly expanded for people with physical disabilities, mental ill-health, children and migrants, Mr Montero added.
According to Josh Hjartarson, Global Leader for Human and Social Services at Deloitte, co-production is both a moral and a financial imperative in addressing multiple disadvantages to overcome the systemic barriers that exist in the context of the way services are designed and delivered.
Global social safety ecosystems are strained since they re-orient people after they face acute issues as opposed to being preventive. Consequently, it is fundamental to organise services in a more preventive manner, Mr Hjartarson concluded.
Drawing on his research study in the UK and Canada, Nick Coxon, Churchill Fellow at the Government of Victoria (Australia), pointed out that engaging with local communities is key to build their capability in service design and co-production.
His comments were reiterated by Andy Williams, Director of Involvement at Revolving Doors Agency (UK). “Co-production is the best way to develop, design and deliver services, to address power imbalances and create accessible spaces where people can work in equal partnership, without barriers,” Mr Williams said.
Anne Helferty, Chief Housing Welfare Officer of ESN member Dublin City Council (Ireland), stated that both government and public services should take a strong leadership role in addressing racism, poverty, disparities in health and provide education opportunities to tackle perceived stigma and unconscious bias – disadvantages that in Ireland are experienced by the Traveller Community.
Local Co-Production Examples
Louise Prance, System Change Lead at Changing Futures Essex, presented UK’s programme Changing Futures.
Under the motto ‘Stigma…Time For Change’ the programme aims to stabilise and improve the life situation of adults experiencing multiple disadvantages, transforming local services to provide person-centred support and reducing crisis demand, as well as testing different approaches to funding, accountability and engagement between local commissioners and services, central government and local areas.
On a similar note, Mário Rui André, Director at ESN member Santa Casa da Misericordia de Lisboa, presented the RADAR Project, a community-based programme to address the social isolation, unwanted loneliness and social vulnerability of older people in Lisbon through local micro-networks, with the involvement of neighbourhoods and local markets.
Concluding the webinar, Mr Montero highlighted the importance of reaching out to people in difficult situations through partnerships across sectors and services as well as supporting practitioners to encourage and to promote working in partnership with people themselves in a co-produced approach.
Watch the discussion here.
Be part of the conversation
As the planning of social services takes a more integrated approach, a greater focus on personalisation and co-creation is key to enhancing local, community-based social services.
Share your experience of co-creation and co-production, the themes of the 2024 European Social Services Conference (ESSC), taking place in Antwerp (Belgium) on 26-28 June 2024. Register by 31 December to take advantage of the 10% early bird discount.
