Working towards co-production in rehabilitation and recovery services

PurposeThis paper outlines the work of a service provider, service user and carer group created to develop a strategy for service user and carer co-production.ApproachA 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.FindingsThe model developed outlines 3 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.Implications and ValueThe 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