What are examples of co-production in a care home?

Studies have shown that a co-productive approach can significantly increase satisfaction among both residents and staff by fostering a sense of shared ownership. For many seeking to implement this collaborative model, a core question arises: What are examples of co-production in a care home? This guide explores how residents and professionals can work together as equal partners.

Quick Summary

Co-production in care homes involves residents, staff, and families collaborating as equal partners to design and deliver services, from co-creating individualized care plans and meal menus to designing activity schedules and communal living spaces.

Key Points

• Shared Power: Co-production redefines the care home dynamic by sharing decision-making power equally among residents, staff, and families from the beginning.

• Daily Life Co-designed: Concrete examples include residents working with staff to plan menus, schedule social activities, and choose decor for communal spaces.

• Personalized Care Plans: Residents actively participate in setting goals for their own care plans and reviewing their effectiveness, ensuring they are truly person-centered.

• Resident-Led Committees: Empowering residents to form committees for activities, policies, or peer support fosters a stronger sense of community and belonging.

• Cultural Shift Required: Implementing co-production successfully depends on a cultural shift within the care home toward transparency, trust, and valuing lived experience as expertise.

Defining Co-production vs. Involvement

Co-production is a shift away from the traditional, service-provider-led model of care toward a partnership where power is shared equally between service users and professionals. Unlike standard resident involvement, which often means being consulted after decisions are made, co-production involves true collaboration from the very start of a project or service design. It recognizes that people who use services have unique lived experience and expertise that is invaluable in shaping the quality of care. This approach is built on principles of equality, diversity, accessibility, and reciprocity.

Comparison: Involvement vs. Co-production

Feature	Resident Involvement	Co-production
Power Dynamic	Professionals hold final decision-making power.	Power is shared equally among residents, staff, and families.
Role of Residents	Provide feedback or suggestions on pre-defined ideas.	Act as equal partners and co-creators from conception to evaluation.
Starting Point	Participation typically begins after a plan is developed.	Collaboration starts at the initial planning and design stage.
Nature of Contribution	Contribution is often seen as a favor or courtesy.	Contribution is recognized and valued as essential expertise.
Motivation	To meet a consultation quota or gather opinions.	To build better, more person-centered, and effective services.

Examples of Co-production in a Care Home

1. Co-designing Daily Routines and Activities

This is one of the most common and visible forms of co-production. Instead of care staff unilaterally deciding on the day's events, residents, staff, and families work together. Examples include:

• Menu Planning: A resident food committee meets with the kitchen staff to plan weekly or monthly menus. This ensures residents' preferences, cultural needs, and dietary requirements are incorporated into meal choices.
• Activity Scheduling: Residents form an activities committee to brainstorm and organize social and recreational events. This might involve suggesting outings, inviting local community groups, or organizing themed parties. The program is built around their interests, not just what is easy to organize.
• Communal Space Redesign: When a care home decides to refurbish a common area, residents are included in the design panel. This means they help select color palettes, furniture, and decorations, ensuring the space feels like home rather than a sterile clinical environment.

2. Co-creating Individualized Care Plans

At a micro-level, co-production focuses on the individual resident. The care plan is not a document written for the resident but with them.

• Personalized Goal Setting: During care plan meetings, staff facilitate a conversation where residents articulate their personal goals and preferences, such as maintaining a daily routine, pursuing a hobby, or staying connected with family. This makes the plan truly person-centered and empowering.
• Reviewing Progress: Regular care plan reviews are collaborative. The resident, their family, and care staff discuss what is working and what isn't. This feedback loop is essential for continuous improvement and adaptation.
• Family Inclusion: Families are included as vital partners in the co-production process, especially when a resident has communication difficulties. Their insights into the resident's life history and personality can greatly enhance the personalization of care.

3. Resident-Led Initiatives

Beyond formal care planning, co-production empowers residents to take the lead on projects that matter to them and the wider care home community. These initiatives build community capacity and foster a strong sense of belonging.

• Mentorship Programs: Experienced residents can be trained as peer mentors to help new residents adjust to life in the home. This provides invaluable social support and makes new residents feel welcome.
• Community Integration Projects: Residents can lead projects to build connections with the local community, such as organizing intergenerational events with a local school or inviting community speakers to the care home.
• Care Home Newsletter: A resident-led editorial team can produce a regular newsletter covering news, events, and resident stories, giving them a voice and fostering a strong sense of community pride.

4. Improving the Care Home Environment and Operations

Co-production can also be applied to more strategic, operational aspects of the care home's management.

• Policy Development: Resident and family forums can provide input on developing and reviewing care home policies, such as visiting hours, pet policies, or complaint procedures. This increases trust and ensures policies are fair and transparent.
• Technology Co-design: If the care home is implementing new technology, such as care management software or communication tools, residents and staff can co-design the user interface and functionality to ensure it is accessible and useful.
• Sustainability Projects: Residents can partner with staff to design and implement sustainability initiatives, such as a composting program for the garden or a recycling drive, giving them a sense of purpose and contribution.

Practical Steps for Care Homes

Adopting a co-productive approach requires a cultural shift, but it can be implemented with a clear framework. Here are some key practices:

1. Commitment from the Top: Leadership must endorse and champion the principles of co-production, dedicating resources and time to the process.
2. Valuing Lived Experience: Recognize and value the lived experience of residents, families, and staff as a genuine skill set. Provide opportunities for people to use their strengths.
3. Training and Support: Train staff and residents on co-production principles and communication skills to ensure everyone feels empowered and capable of participating fully.
4. Accessible Communication: Use plain, jargon-free language and offer information in accessible formats. Ensure meeting times and locations are convenient for all participants.
5. Build Trust: Trust is fundamental to sharing power. It is built over time through transparent decision-making, open communication, and demonstrating that contributions are truly valued.
6. Celebrate Successes: Recognize and celebrate co-production achievements, no matter how small. This builds momentum and reinforces the value of the approach.

For more detailed guidance on how to implement co-production in social care settings, see the resource provided by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), an authoritative source on the topic: Co-production: what it is and how to do it.

Conclusion

Moving from simple involvement to authentic co-production transforms the care home environment. By viewing residents not as passive recipients but as active and equal partners, care homes can create more responsive, fulfilling, and effective services. The examples shared here—from daily life to operational policies—demonstrate that co-production is more than a concept; it is a practical approach that improves outcomes and builds a stronger, more vibrant community for everyone involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between involvement and co-production in a care home?

The main difference lies in the balance of power. Involvement typically means residents are consulted, but professionals hold the final decision-making power. Co-production involves a shared, equal partnership where residents and staff make decisions together from the outset.

Can residents with cognitive impairments participate in co-production?

Yes, co-production can be adapted for residents with cognitive impairments. It may involve working with family members, using sensory communication methods, or focusing on co-designing aspects of the environment or daily routines in a way that respects their preferences and capabilities.

How can staff be encouraged to embrace co-production?

Staff can be encouraged by receiving training on co-production principles, being given time and resources to implement it, and seeing their own input valued. A culture of trust and transparency, where staff and residents learn together, is also crucial.

What role do families play in co-production?

Families are key partners in co-production, offering vital insights into a resident's history, personality, and preferences. They can participate in care planning, committee meetings, and other co-design projects to enhance the person-centered nature of care.

Does co-production take more time and resources?

Initially, co-production may require more time for relationship-building and establishing new processes. However, it often leads to more efficient, effective, and sustainable services in the long run by reducing costly errors and increasing resident satisfaction and engagement.

What are some common challenges when implementing co-production?

Challenges include building trust, overcoming power imbalances, and ensuring equal representation, especially for marginalized groups. Addressing time constraints and communication barriers are also crucial for success.

How can a care home get started with a co-production project?

A care home can start by identifying a small, specific area for improvement, such as the activity schedule or garden space. Involve all relevant stakeholders from the start, clarify roles and expectations, and use accessible communication throughout the process.