Working together, learning together: A lived experience guide to co-production

Claire Williams, Research in Practice Research and Development Officer, speaks to Clenton Farquharson. Clenton is Chair of Think Local Act Personal Partnership board, a Trustee of the race equality foundation, an Ambassador for disability rights and he has lived experience of social care services.

They talk about co-production and how the discussion around it is still quite theoretical. Clenton explains how it can work in organisations, and what it really means for people with lived experience of services and practitioners.

Talking Points

Clenton and Claire discussed:

• The seven levels of personalisation and how they fit ‘hand in glove’ with co-production.
• The three levels of co-production – individual, organisational and systemic.
• The individual level – how co-production can be used for care and support planning.
• The power of vulnerability and being curious.

Resources mentioned in this podcast

• Sutton, J. (2020) Co-production and strengths-based practice: Leaders' Briefing (2020) Dartington: Research in Practice.
• Person centred practice:
  • Guthrie L. (2018).Person-centred approaches to adult mental health: Frontline Briefing Dartington: Research in Practice.
  • Podcast Person-centred approaches to adult mental health. Dartington: Research in Practice.
• Professional curiosity:
  • Developing professional curiosity. Online learning package. Dartington: Research in Practice.
  • Thacker H, Anka A & Penhale B. (2020). Professional curiosity in safeguarding adults: Strategic Briefing Dartington: Research in Practice.
  • Thacker H, Anka A & Penhale B. (2020). Blog The importance of professional curiosity in safeguarding adults

Related resources

• Critical thinking/challenging bias:
  • Analysis and critical thinking in assessment Online learning package. Dartington: Research in Practice
  • Nosowska G. (2019). Critically reflective practice: Making sense of uncertainty Dartington: Research in Practice
  • Gerry Nosowska. Blog. Critically reflective practice
• Strengths based working:
  • Buckland R. (2020). Strengths-based practice: Brief Guide (2020) Dartington: Research in Practice.
  • Strengths-based working. Online learning package. Dartington: Research in Practice
  • Podcast Strengths-based conversations Dartington: Research in Practice.
• Working together: community assets and co-production. Online learning package. Dartington: Research in Practice.
• (2020). Community capacity and co-production – building a shared future: Leaders’ Forum 2020 Dartington: Research in Practice.
• Sutton, J. (2018) ‘Assets-based work with communities: Leaders' Briefing’ Dartington: Research in Practice.
• Wheatley H & Evans K. (2017). Using participation and co-production to make transition work Dartington: Research in Practice.
• Farquharson C & Griffiths M. (2014). Personalisation: Making it Real – Recorded Webinar Dartington: Research in Practice

Reflective questions

Here are some reflective questions to stimulate conversation and support practice. 

1. Do you/ your organisation use co-production?
2. What are the key facilitators and barriers for you/ your organisation in using co-production with the people you support? How might you address these barriers?
3. What are the key messages from this podcast that you might take forward in your organisation or team?