Celebrating co-production week

Co-production is about enabling more equal partnerships between people who use services, social workers and Social Work England as the regulator.

For National Co-production Week we asked two members of our new national advisory forum why they got involved and why co-production is so important. Emina, a social worker, and Sally, who has lived experience of social work, gave us their views.

Why did you apply to be a member of the national advisory forum?

Sally: I wanted to bridge the gap between people with lived experience and social workers, using my experience and work with the sector and community. The marriage of theory and real experience can only enhance change. In partnership with a mutual respect and understanding hopefully we can build positive bridges.

Emina: Having worked in social work for 20 years, I felt that I would be able to use my experience to give a voice to social workers, issues that matter to them and the people they support. I believe that the services we offer and our social work practice can only be improved if we take time to hear from those with lived experience of social work.

What do you want the Social Work England national advisory forum to achieve?

Sally: I want to connect learning and practice with real people like me. We need to look at how things are done and why. A social worker came into my family’s life and created a structure that allowed us to thrive, and my family is the better for it. I believe if social work success is pushed then there will be less fear of having a social worker’s involvement. We need to reduce the negative perception of the profession.

Emina: I hope it can become an active and engaged critical friend to Social Work England and that its impact on policies, guidance and discussion can be evidenced in everything it communicates to the public.

In your opinion, why is co-production so important?

Sally: Mutual understanding. We are all but human and will all use services! But it must make change. In my family’s world of learning disabilities, lots of opinions were asked of us. The forms and repetition were often not worth the input. We were tired enough. Co-production must show that change has been implemented as a result. 

Emina: As a profession we need to be confident that we understand how people with lived experience of social work perceive the services they are receiving, and importantly, what their thoughts are on how we can improve what we do. This understanding should be a significant driver in how Social Work England responds to changes and developments in both policy and practice on a national level.

Why do we need co-production in the world of social work regulation?

Sally: To keep it real, relevant and accessible for people with lived experience to understand. To empower us to build a bond. There is no room for ‘them and us’, it needs to be ‘we’.

Emina: Regulation of social work is a huge responsibility. The professional standards rely heavily on social workers adhering to a range of values and ethics, including partnership working with people with lived experience. For us to be able to work in partnership we need to ensure that they are continuously consulted and involved in decision making.

How have you found your experience of the national advisory forum so far?

Sally: In the room there are so many different people, from different parts of the sector, and different regions, with a common goal. The personable positive start has reaffirmed this. I want Social Work England to be known as supportive and friendly, with transparency and clarity.

Emina: It has been wonderful to meet everyone at our first meeting, to hear about the range of experience that we have. I am looking forward to learning from other members, hearing their perspectives and seeing this how this shapes our discussions around different matters over time.