Personalisation and Coproduction
The goal is personalisation: the vehicle is coproduction.
Defining personalisation
The Department of Health describes personalisation as
“every person who receives support, whether provided by statutory services or funded by themselves, will have choice and control over the shape of that support in all care settings”.
(http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/www.dh.gov.uk/en/SocialCare/Socialcarereform/Personalisation/DH_080573)
It is much more than just personal budgets and direct payments, but involves the dignity and well-being of each individual— and their having choice and control of their lives.
Because it is about having control of your own life, it will mean different things to different people.
It requires a fair, equal, and respectful relationship between everyone involved: the person who uses services and for example PAs, support workers, and support planners.
Defining coproduction
Bringing people together to achieve positive change using everyone’s knowledge, skills and lived experience of the issues encountered in their own lives and work. Coproduction is a meeting of equals. It is not consultation (but that’s another story…)
Coproduction — a meeting of blobs and squares — is described in the book “No More Throw Away” by People Edgar Cahn and the video based on the book, “The Parable of the Blobs and Squares“ Still from video: Time Banking UK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egav5xjb-lg
CNS Principles of Personalisation
At CNS, we have seven key principles of personalisation:
- Nothing about me without me. (Also the core principle of coproduction)
- Everyone is unique.
- How you communicate and interact with me impacts my self-worth, dignity, aspirations, and opportunities to live my life.
- Everyone can do something to achieve personalisation, however little.
- Little things can make a big difference.
- We are all equal, deserving mutual respect, and all have skills, knowledge, and experience that we can bring to the discussion.
- Empowerment works both ways.