Co-production and Involvement Audit

A self-assessment tool for organisations

What is the Co-production and Involvement Audit?

In the context of public services: co-production is an asset based approach that enables people providing and people receiving services to share power and responsibility, and work together in equal, reciprocal and caring relationships. It creates opportunities for people to access the support they need when they need it, and to contribute to social change.

The Co-production and Involvement Audit is a simple self assessment tool which helps organisations assess how effective they are at successfully adopting co-productive ways of working. It consists of fifteen action statements, organised in accordance with the ‘five core principles of co-production’ each of which is given a score. It provides a high-level snapshot of how you are doing, alongside an understanding of what is working, and what needs to be done to keep improving.

The Co-production and Involvement Audit’s uses include supporting report writing and formal evaluations, external audits and internal periodic reviews. It should take no longer than 30 minutes to complete and will deliver the best results when it is completed by a group of individuals from across an organisation working together.

How it works

STEP 1: Assess your performance

Consider the three action statements listed for each of the five core principles of co-production. Give yourself a score from 1-5 for each, in accordance with the following guidelines:

• 1 mark: you haven't taken action yet
• 2 marks: you have made a start
• 3 marks: you have made progress on several fronts
• 4 marks: you are doing really well in some areas, but not all
• 5 marks: you are doing as well as you can be everywhere

For each of the principles, calculate your average score by adding up your individual scores and diving them by 3.

STEP 2: Reflect on your performance

For each of the principles, consider what would help you to improve, noting your thoughts in the space provided.

STEP 3: Visualise your results

Use the Co-production & Involvement Audit Cover Sheet to visualise your results. Use your average score for each of the principles, and shade in the appropriate sections on the evaluation wheel.

STEP 4: Identify your actions

Consider the one action which would help you to improve the most for each of the principles, noting it in the space provided on the Co-production & Involvement Audit Cover Sheet.

Sign and date the Cover Sheet, and store it somewhere safe!