E-book contents
Here, we explore the different levels of involvement in care — from simply informing people to empowering them to lead — and show how the ladder of coproduction can help you reflect on where your service currently stands.
In this section, we introduce the six core principles that underpin meaningful coproduction — and offer real-world examples of how they show up in care services every day.
This chapter looks at where and how coproduction features in the CQC’s Single Assessment Framework — and what practical evidence providers can show to demonstrate it in action.
We spotlight some of the latest and most innovative approaches to coproduction — from lived experience leadership to co-auditing, storytelling, and digital-first collaboration.
Here, we walk through a step-by-step approach to developing care plans in partnership with the person — focusing on strengths, preferences, and shared decisions that reflect what matters most to them.
In this chapter, we explore how thoughtfully designed digital tools can make coproduction easier to embed, easier to evidence, and more accessible to the people you support.
How to create and develop a co-produced care plan
A co-produced care plan is one of the most visible and powerful ways to put coproduction into practice. It is where principles like equality, partnership and person-centredness become real — not just in policy, but in daily life.
This chapter focuses on how to create care plans with the person receiving support, not for them. It covers the mindset, skills and structures required to move from routine planning to genuine collaboration.
Why co-production matters in care planning
At its best, a care plan is more than a document. It is a reflection of what someone wants their life to look like — their goals, preferences, strengths and needs, all captured in their own voice.
When plans are co-produced:
- People feel more ownership of their care
- Teams have a clearer understanding of what matters most
- Services are better able to adapt, respond and prevent issues early
This also supports key CQC quality statements, especially around personalisation, partnership and risk management.
But too often, care planning still feels like an administrative task. Plans are written by professionals, ticked off for compliance, and filed away. Co-production brings that process back to life.
Principles for co-produced planning
The same core principles of coproduction apply here, but let’s explore how they show up in practice:
- Equality: Both the person and the team contribute their expertise — the individual knows their life; the team understands systems and support options.
- Accessibility: Planning is done in a way that suits the person. This might mean visual tools, longer sessions or non-verbal methods of communication.
- Reciprocity: The plan reflects the person's goals, not just the organisation’s obligations. They see their input reflected directly.
- Partnership: Planning is collaborative and ongoing, not something done to or about someone.
You can use our co-designed care planning canvas to guide this process. It helps structure the conversation and document shared decisions clearly and visually.
Step-by-step: Creating a co-produced care plan
Here’s a practical framework you can adapt to your own service:
- Prepare together
- Book time that works for the person and anyone they’d like involved
- Share what the planning process will look like and what they can expect
- Invite them to think about what’s going well, what they’d like to change, and what’s important to them
This is also a good time to check communication preferences and accessibility needs.
- Start with what matters most
Begin the conversation not with services or tasks, but with the person’s priorities. What makes a good day? What are their goals? What helps them feel safe and respected?
This builds trust and ensures the plan reflects what the person values — not just what needs to be “delivered”.
- Explore support needs together
Use open-ended questions and strengths-based prompts to identify where support is wanted. Avoid framing the conversation around deficits or limitations.
Examples:
- “What helps you feel comfortable getting ready in the morning?”
- “Are there times you want support with meals? Are there times you'd rather do it yourself?”
- “How do you like to be reminded about things?”
- Record the plan collaboratively
This part matters. If the plan is typed up later with no input, the person’s voice can get lost. Wherever possible, document it together — whether that’s on paper, on screen, or using a collaborative app.
Use the person’s own language and tone. Avoid jargon or generic phrasing. If the person prefers visuals, include drawings, symbols or photos.
- Agree how and when to review
Co-production does not stop once the plan is written. Agree how often you’ll check in together and how the person wants to give feedback or request changes.
Build in flexibility. Life changes, and so should care.
- Make the plan accessible
Once it is complete, make sure the person has access to it in a way that works for them. This might mean a printed version in large print, an audio version, or a shared digital file they can access at any time.
Tips for better collaboration
- Create space: Rushed planning rarely feels collaborative. Make time for the conversation, and break it up if needed.
- Don’t lead with too much structure: Structures and frameworks have a place, but let the person lead the content free-form before fitting it into a template.
- Be comfortable with silence: Some people need time to process. That is okay.
- Involve the right people: Ask who the person would like involved — and respect their answer.
- Reflect and learn: After each plan is completed, reflect as a team. What worked? What could improve next time?
What good looks like
A good co-produced care plan should:
- Be in the person’s voice
- Reflect their goals and preferences, not just their needs
- Include their own understanding of risk and responsibility
- Feel like something they can use and understand
- Change over time, as their life and needs evolve
If you are unsure whether your care plans reflect these values, our coproduction self-audit checklist can help you review your current process.
Beyond the document
The real test of a co-produced plan is not how it looks, but how it is lived.
Are staff using it? Does it inform daily routines and support decisions? Can the person tell when something changes because of what they shared?
Co-production in care planning is not about perfection. It is about listening better, sharing control, and building something that works for the person — not just the service.
Read chapter seven: How technology supports coproduction in care
Contents
Here, we explore the different levels of involvement in care — from simply informing people to empowering them to lead — and show how the ladder of coproduction can help you reflect on where your service currently stands.
In this section, we introduce the six core principles that underpin meaningful coproduction — and offer real-world examples of how they show up in care services every day.
This chapter looks at where and how coproduction features in the CQC’s Single Assessment Framework — and what practical evidence providers can show to demonstrate it in action.
We spotlight some of the latest and most innovative approaches to coproduction — from lived experience leadership to co-auditing, storytelling, and digital-first collaboration.
Here, we walk through a step-by-step approach to developing care plans in partnership with the person — focusing on strengths, preferences, and shared decisions that reflect what matters most to them.
In this chapter, we explore how thoughtfully designed digital tools can make coproduction easier to embed, easier to evidence, and more accessible to the people you support.
