Slides from Gill Millar, Regional Youth Work Unit at Learning South West presented at Sout hWest Forum's ESF collaboration workshop in Exeter, 1st April 2015

1. Gill Millar
South West Regional
Youth Work Adviser
Co-production with young people
–
Policy and Practice

2. What is co-production?
“Co-production means delivering public services in an equal
and reciprocal relationship between professionals, people
using services, their families and their neighbours.” - New
Economics Foundation
“It recognises and aims to combine and strengthen different
kinds of knowledge and experience, changing the balance of
power from the professional towards the service user.” -
Scottish Community Development Centre
‘’It is about involving people not only in the rowing and the
steering of the boat, but also in actually building it.” - Mr Sandy
Watson OBE DL, Chairman NHS Tayside

3. Why co-produce with young people?
 More likely to participate in programmes they’ve
co-designed than those that are imposed upon
them
 We know a lot about what employers think young
people lack – but a lot less about what young
people think their barriers are
 The co-production process helps all parties to
learn more about the issue to be addressed and
potential solutions
 Funders tell us to!

4. National Youth Policy Direction(s)
‘Positive for Youth’ (2012) – cross departmental
policy stated that (in relation to services that affect
them):
‘Young people must be in the driving seat to inform
decisions, shape provision, and inspect quality.’
Initiatives from range of public bodies to listen to
and engage young people in service design.

5. Co-production in practice
http://www.coproductionscotland.org.uk/resources/videos/
NEF film – basic intro
Lambeth – practical examples

6. Making it happen (1)
 Start before the beginning – find ways of engaging
young people in identifying the needs – which
might be different to the needs you see!
 Co-production is not consultation – it means
involving young people in all aspects of the
project – needs assessment, planning, delivery,
governance, review & evaluation
 Doing things differently – young people can’t
come to meetings at County Hall at 9am on
Thursdays

7. Making it Happen (2)
 Find resources to make it happen – transport,
support workers, young people-friendly venues,
pizzas… it all adds up!
 Take young people seriously – you’ll be surprised
at how much they have to offer
 Some young people will just want to have a say –
others will want to be involved throughout. Just
like adults really…
 Don’t be tokenistic: young people can tell if you
don’t really mean to include their views

8. Visit our web-site at
www.learning-southwest.org.uk