Meaningful co-production is about sharing power, not simply seeking opinions.
It is not enough to ask people for their views if decisions have already been made. True co-production means involving people early, giving them genuine influence over decisions, and acting on what they tell us whenever possible.
People may need support to participate fully. This could include:
- Providing information in accessible formats such as Easy Read, audio, large print, or translated materials.
- Allowing extra time for decision making.
- Using advocates, communication aids or trusted supporters.
- Holding meetings at times and locations that work for the person.
- Checking understanding rather than assuming agreement.
Professionals should be aware of power imbalances and actively create opportunities for people to express their views safely. Every effort should be made to ensure that people feel listened to, respected and valued.
Organisational Benefits
Co-production benefits organisations, as well as individuals.
When people who use services are actively involved:
- Support is more likely to meet individual needs.
- Trust between staff and those they support is strengthened.
- Concerns and poor practice are identified earlier.
- Services become more responsive and effective.
- Safeguarding interventions are more likely to achieve outcomes that matter to the person.
Co-production is not an activity that happens occasionally. It is a culture and a way of working. By listening to people, valuing their expertise in their own lives and involving them in decisions that affect them, organisations can promote rights, independence, wellbeing, and safety.
In safeguarding, co-production helps ensure that support is done with people rather than to them, leading to better experiences and outcomes. This directly supports the principles of Making Safeguarding Personal (MSP) by ensuring that people are actively involved in decisions about their own lives, safety, and wellbeing.
Through co-production, individuals are recognised as experts in their own experiences, with their views, wishes, and desired outcomes informing and shaping safeguarding responses.
Embedding co-production into everyday practice helps organisations move beyond process-driven safeguarding towards approaches that are person-centred, outcome-focused, and led by what matters most to the individual. In this way, co-production is one of the key ways that MSP can be successfully embedded across an organisation’s culture, practice, and decision-making.