Co-production – What’s that?

Co-production, what’s that? (A question I asked when I first heard the term.)

It’s working together to get better outcomes.

In Manchester co-production happens on many levels. Sometimes it’s strategic co-production that happens in meetings with service leads and commissioners; other times it can be more informal like a school holding a coffee morning to ask families to work with them on a uniform or behaviour policy, and there is also individual co-production when families are asked by a professional, “What do you think? What would help?”.

When I was first invited to a co-production meeting, I was so nervous! Nervous that I wouldn’t understand what people were saying, that I’d say the wrong thing, that I’d upset someone and not be invited back. Another part of me was worried that I’d go to the meeting and find out it was just a box-ticking exercise and not real co-production after all! None of this happened, thankfully.

What I found instead was a group of passionate people who listen to each other and respect each other’s views, even if they don’t always agree. I found professionals who took the time to ask what time was best for the meetings and made sure to schedule them when we aren’t on the school run. Conversations aren’t full of jargon; words and acronyms are explained or not used at all. I don’t have to mask. If I’m having a bad day or my ADHD makes me distracted and forgetful, people are patient and willing to explain things again. If I’m late for a meeting, they will message me or give me a ring to check I’m still coming. These all sound like little things but they make a huge difference, especially if the topics are difficult.

What I think about co-production –

• It can feel messy and frustrating at times.
• It can sometimes feel like a heavy responsibility to make sure we represent the views of as many families as possible.
• It’s remembering we aren’t just speaking about our own views and are there to speak on behalf of everyone else.
• It can mean being the only one in a room saying one thing whilst everyone else says something different.
• It’s being brave enough to challenge services to look at things differently or accept that things aren’t going well, even if that feels like it might be an unpopular opinion in the room.

What I also think co-production is –

• A vital part of how we work in Manchester to get better outcomes for our families.
• Something I feel privileged to be a part of.
• Having a great idea and being able to share it with the people who can help to make it a reality.
• Gathering the views of as many people as possible and sharing those views when needed.
• Learning new things every day from people I might never have met.
• Working on exciting new projects across the city.
• Helping to influence real change that can be felt by many families in Manchester.
• Helping schools, services and professionals to understand what’s important to families.

Co-production isn’t always easy but I can’t imagine where we’d be without it.

The photo shows me speaking at the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Committee (1 July 2026), together with Tanya from the Parent Champions and other local partners in Manchester.
Want to read my speech?
Image Source: Manchester City Council