How we work together

If we work together, anything is possible.

Shakil, St Giles School

Co-production is our way of working as a local area that puts children, young people and their families at the centre of all the work we do.

It is built on the understanding that everyone works together on an equal basis to create a service or come to a decision that works for us all. It captures and uses the experiences and strengths of children, young people, families, communities and those involved in SEND across the local area, to improve the services they use.

As part of our Local Area commitment to co-production we all want to ensure the approach is working positively for the children, young people and families that we support. As a result Derby City Council is proud to be the central contact point for Local Area co-production and encourage any partner with queries or concerns about this way of working to get in touch with us by emailing local.offer@derby.gov.uk.

We have developed a coproduction charter that describes the commitment we have all made as a local area to work together.

The charter breaks down our commitment as a local area into five key areas:

Honesty, transparency and accountability

• Jointly identify a clear purpose about what we want to achieve and why.
• Be accountable and take responsibility for our decisions and how we work together.
• Be honest and transparent with our partners about what can or cannot be delivered and changed, and the reasons for this.

Working in partnership, valuing everyone equally

• Make sure that everyone can contribute, can have a voice that is listened to and represents the full diversity of our community.
• Recognise all partners as equal, including children and young people and their parents.
• Make partnership working part of our DNA so we bring partners together to shape work and developments at the earliest possible stage.

Respect, recognition and understanding

• Respect children and young people as individuals and ensure that they are always at the centre of any decisions that impact on their lives and outcomes.
• Respect all partners, for the different and unique experiences skills and knowledge they can contribute and the equally important roles they play.
• Recognise that everyone wants the best outcomes possible, that we all care and we want to make a positive difference through what we do.
• Embrace other people’s roles, responsibilities and pressures and support each other to understand these differences.

Communication

• Keep all partners updated about changes that may impact them, as soon as possible.
• Make sure all voices can be heard and that partners are updated as to what has and hasn’t changed as a result of their contribution.
• Communicate all key messages in ways, and in language, that works for all those involved.

Focussing on strengths

• Focus on finding achievable solutions, not dwelling on the problems, and working together to solve the issues.
• Start every piece of work/process with open minds and 'can-do' attitudes to generate positivity around the work.
• Regularly communicate positive messages about progress being made to help boost morale and increase aspirations across the local area.

Accessibility

• Consider everyone’s availability and accessibility when we plan and work together.
• Use methods and processes that can be accessed by, and tailored to, the needs of children, young people and families, being respectful of different ages, needs, abilities and understanding.
• Adapt ways of working to the children and young people, parents and carers we work with, not expecting children and young people to adapt to our systems.