WORCESTERSHIRE County Council has become the first local authority in the West Midlands to sign a pledge to working with people who use current Adult Social Care services.
It comes after a County Hall survey last year revealed 75 percent of people said they would like to use services designed by people who use the services.
Co-production sets out a way of working where professionals and those who use Adult Social Care services, work in equal partnership to develop services or make decisions to meet people’s needs.
The pledge was signed at a recent launch event for the Building Together Forum, a new group which has been created to work alongside council staff to advise, support and challenge them on the way services are and should be provided.
Speakers David Gower, David Johnston, Mary Nettle and Mark Lynes shared their personal experiences at the event and how they thought co-production and working with those who use services more closely would improve things for people across the county.
A graphic artist created a visual representation of both meetings and the key themes attendees would like the council to take on board and look to improve upon.
Mark Fitton, the council’s strategic director of people said: “The county council Adult Social Care and I value the views of Worcestershire residents and the experience they have of the services we provide.”
As the Building Together project moves forward, the council will develop a Peer Support Network, Building Together Board and a Building Together forum.
The forum will work closely with other boards within Adult Social Care to form partnerships to ensure county users and carers have an equal voice and influence over decisions which are made.
