Working towards co-production in rehabilitation and recovery services

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline the work of a service provider, service user and carer group created to develop a strategy for service user and carer co-production.

Design/methodology/approach

A reflective narrative account is given of the process through which the group formed and began to develop a working model aimed at shaping a cultural shift towards more co-produced services. The paper has been co-produced and includes the collaborative voices of service users, carers, multi-disciplinary staff, third-sector representatives, managers and colleagues from associated services.

Findings

The model developed outlines three stages for services to work through in order to achieve meaningful and sustainable co-produced services. The importance of developing associated policies related to such areas as recruitment, payment, support and training is also outlined. Challenges to co-production are noted along with suggested approaches to overcoming these.

Originality/value

The ethos of co-production is relatively new in the UK and so knowledge of the process and model may help guide others undertaking similar work.

Citation

Freeman, L.R., Waldman, M., Storey, J., Williams, M., Griffiths, C., Hopkins, K., Beer, E., Bidmead, L. and Davies, J. (2016), "Working towards co-production in rehabilitation and recovery services", The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, Vol. 11 No. 4, pp. 197-207. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-01-2016-0009