Co-production in Mental Health and Social Care: Barriers and Enablers
Co-production is about more than inviting people to take part – it’s about genuinely sharing power. It means people with lived experience, staff, and other partners working together to design, deliver, and review services that truly reflect what matters to those who use them.
This article, based on research led by Katherine Greer, a peer researcher and person supported by Praxis Care, explores what helps and what gets in the way of putting co-production into practice. It offers practical steps that organisations can take to make co-production part of everyday work rather than a one-off exercise.
“True co-production is about doing things with people, not for them. It takes time, resources, and trust.” – Katherine Greer, Peer Researcher, Praxis Care
Building the Right Foundations
Making co-production work takes investment and commitment. It requires time, space, and resources – not just goodwill. Setting aside a clear budget for co-production projects and training for those with lived experience helps make it visible and valued. Managers can also look for external grants or partnerships to build capacity and sustain this work.
Policies matter too. Having a formal co-production policy, with guidance and examples, gives staff something concrete to follow. Regular reviews that include feedback from both staff and people whom they support help keep it meaningful, not just a tick-box exercise.
Supporting Staff
Good co-production depends on confident, well-supported staff. Training should go beyond a one-off session – it should be built into inductions, refreshed regularly, and tailored to different roles. Workshops and peer learning sessions are often the most effective way to build confidence and share good practice.
Strong communication also helps. Talking about co-production regularly, in team meetings, for example, keeps it alive in the organisation’s culture.
Leadership plays a key role in this. When senior staff model co-production values and appoint clear leads or champions, it signals that this work is everyone’s responsibility.
Empowering People With Lived Experience
At its heart, co-production is about people having real influence in matters that affect them, from shaping recovery programmes to helping design living spaces or community projects. Supporting people to take part in education, volunteering, or employment also helps build confidence and ownership of their own recovery.
Measuring the difference co-production makes is just as important. Gathering feedback, sharing learning across teams, and celebrating success all help to build momentum. When people can see the impact of their input, it encourages deeper involvement and pride in the work being done together.
Bringing it All Together
Co-production is not always easy – it takes patience and persistence – but the rewards are clear. It improves the quality of services, builds stronger relationships, and empowers people to take an active role in their own care.
When organisations invest in co-production and listen to lived experience, they don’t just change systems – they change lives.
References:
- Greer, K. Barriers to and enablers of co-production in social care. Unpublished manuscript.