The creation of a co-production strategy – known as the Working Together Plan

Swindon Borough Council is committed to delivering and improving the co-production of services with stakeholders, particularly people who draw on care services. Swindon Borough Council recognises that co-production underpins adult services and effective co-production will ensure responses to meeting needs. In 2023, IPC in partnership with Swindon Borough Council, set out to create a Co-Production Strategy that would outline the Council’s ambition to deliver best practice in this area.

IPC and Swindon Council recognised that the Strategy needed to be co-designed by local experts by experience. First and foremost, experts by experience told us the term ‘Co-Production Strategy’ was a jargon term, led by the Council. We worked together with these experts and renamed the strategy the Working Together Plan. To create the Working Together Plan, IPC:

• Completed a desk based literature review which analysed evidence based on the benefits and examples of coproduction guidance and documents already available
• Co-designed the values and the principles of effective co-production in Swindon Adult Services with experts with lived experience, such as members of Swindon’s Learning Disability Partnership, Swindon Advocacy Movement, unpaid carers working at the Council, residents of a local care home, and adults with experience of mental health support in Swindon. These groups also offered a number of ‘top tips’ to the Council about how to make sure co-production is effective and meaningful, which is included in the plan
• Consulted and hosted engagement sessions with professional stakeholders including Swindon’s voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, local regulated providers and Council and Integrated Health Board colleagues. This supported the creation of guidance documents and templates to support all colleagues at Swindon Council to more effectively and genuinely work together with local people and communities going forward.

This 5 year plan has identified specific and realistic actions to be achieved across Swindon Council. A celebratory event was hosted in the community to launch the Working Together Plan in July 2024, with Council colleagues, local providers of care and support and local people alike pledging to work together going forward.

The Working Together Plan is already making a positive impact on how Swindon Borough Council delivers Adult Services , for example, a recently co-produced policy on hoarding and self neglect. By embedding the principles of co-production, the plan is reshaping the way the Council collaborates with service users, ensuring that their voices drive decision-making and service design. This approach fosters a deeper sense of trust and partnership between the Council and the community, leading to more tailored, effective, and meaningful support.

The plan’s emphasis on practical tools and guidance is equipping Council colleagues with the skills and confidence to engage authentically with local people. This will lead to improved communication, increased transparency, and a shared sense of ownership over the services provided. The ongoing impact of the plan will be seen in better outcomes for those who use the services, as their lived experiences and insights continue to inform and shape the Council’s approach, creating a more inclusive and responsive system that truly reflects the needs of the community.

Quote from Clare Deards – Corporate Director Integrated Adult Social Care (DASS) – Swindon Borough Council:

 “The Institute of Public Care has been pivotal in the development of our Working Together Plan. Their expertise and guidance have ensured that our approach is both innovative and inclusive. The IPC leads were flexible and professional and able to work effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, providing the necessary challenge that made us think differently. They played a crucial role in co-facilitating workshops and inspiring our teams by sharing valuable research, tools, and methodologies. By collaborating closely with us, they have helped us to truly listen to and incorporate the voices of those with lived experience. This partnership has been essential in crafting a plan that is not only responsive and collaborative but also a true reflection of our community’s needs and aspirations. The Working Together Plan stands as a testament to our shared commitment to continuous learning, adaptation, and co-production and we would not have achieved it without the support from Amy Harmsworth and her team in the IPC. I cannot thank them enough!”

The creation of the Working Together Plan has been a significant achievement for Swindon Borough Council, demonstrating our commitment to meaningful co-production. By engaging directly with experts by experience—such as individuals from the Swindon Learning Disability Partnership and Swindon Advocacy Movement—we have ensured that the plan reflects the real needs and perspectives of those who use our services. The decision to rename the strategy from ‘Co-Production Strategy’ to ‘Working Together Plan’ based on feedback is a testament to our dedication to making co-production accessible and truly collaborative.

Reflecting on this journey, it’s clear that listening and adapting to feedback have been critical to our success. The process highlighted that co-production is not just about creating a plan but about fostering ongoing relationships built on trust and transparency. While the launch of the Working Together Plan is a significant milestone, it also marks the beginning of a continuous journey to ensure our actions meet the community’s needs and uphold our commitment to working together effectively.