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Introduction to co-production

Design and delivery of public services, with the people they serve.

This workshop explains how to use the co-production approach. Co-production brings the people local authorities serve into the heart of service design and delivery. People are no longer passive recipients of services, but equal partners in their design and delivery. Highly empowering for all, the approach leads to better outcomes through better designed services, delivered in a more efficient and effective way.


The New Economics Foundation believes that co-production is the most effective way to achieve outcomes with people. It is a relationship where professionals and citizens share power to design, plan and deliver support together, recognising that both partners have vital contributions to make in order to improve quality of life for people and communities.

We have condensed much of our knowledge and expertise along with practical guidance into a short, introductory, workshop.

What you will learn

Over four hours you and your team will gain:  

  • A greater knowledge and understanding of co-production and other asset based approaches including appreciative inquiry.
  • Practical experience of using tools and techniques that can support and deepen co-production, with examples of where this is working elsewhere the UK.
  • The confidence to question and shape current practice to build an understanding of how co-production can affect you and the groups you commission.

The programme – an outline

This is an example only.

Session One
Introductions: Setting the context.
An introduction to asset based approaches
A case study – understanding how asset based approaches work.
Co-production
The theory behind co-production, how it differs from other forms of engagement, and real life examples to demonstrate how it can work on the ground.
Practical implementation of co-production
Changing our conversations. A practical activity to demonstrate how to use co-production during the initial stages of service re-design.
Session Two
Reflections from session one
Practical implementation of co-production
Appreciative inquiry. A presentation and practical activity to build participants’ knowledge and understanding of AI.
Overview of other methods
100 days challenge; customer journey mapping; story telling
Pause for thought
What’s had real meaning? What has challenged us? What is possible?

We only offer this as group training or, condensed, as a briefing so please contact us to discuss your needs.


Who is it for?

Assistant directors, commissioners, policy officers and anyone else with, or working with those who have, responsibility for commissioning and purchasing services.

Who will be running the workshop?

Helen Sharp, Associate, NEF Consulting

Previously Strategic Commissioning Manager at Lambeth Council, Helen Sharp works with NEF Consulting on delivery of our training for local authorities .

Helen was a consultant and trainer for five years before moving into commissioning. She was responsible for the commissioning of play and targeted services for children and young people in Lambeth.

Helen has worked in partnership with the New Economics Foundation and other local authorities to develop and implement outcomes-based commissioning, co-production, asset-based interventions and other new approaches as a part of her role. For more information click here.


Please contact us  to discuss your training needs.

For occasional updates on our training, click here


New Economics Foundation

NEF aims to create a new economy that works for people and within environmental limits. We are guided by three missions:

A new social settlement
To ensure people are paid well, have more time off to spend with their families, and have access to the things we all need for a decent life.

A Green New Deal
A plan for government-led investment to reduce the carbon we emit and boost nature, while creating a new generation of jobs.

The democratic economy
To devolve state power and transform ownership of the economy to give everyone an equal stake in the places where we live and work.

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