Working with people and communities

Together we are working to create a health and care system that is shaped by the experiences and insights of local people and communities. This includes:

• Listening to the experiences of people and communities
• Focusing on people’s and communities’ strengths and capabilities
• Removing barriers so people and communities can have a greater say in their health and care.

We know that to provide successful services and support, we must understand the needs of service users and their families/carers and work with them. 

Co-production is a way of working that involves people who use health and care services, carers and communities in equal partnership, and which engages groups of people at the earliest stages of service design, development and evaluation.

It acknowledges that people with ‘lived experience’ of a particular condition, or of informal caring, are often best placed to advise on what support and services will make a positive difference to their lives.

Done well, co-production is an effective collaborative approach to ensuring services and support are responsive to need.

Parent Carer forum members

Parent Carer forum members are key to SEND work in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West.

We support the Parent Carer Forums to ensure that members are involved in our work as partners, contributing their views and experiences, and representing the wider network of parents and parent carers, to ensure that services are continually reviewed and improved.