‘Co-production’ is all about involved parties having an equal voice in the development of a final product aimed at meeting need. In this instance, the priority was to ensure that the voice / recommendations of young people themselves were central to bringing about improvement in how families access support from a range of agencies, including Manchester City Council. Co-production offers the chance to transform social care and health provision into a model that offers people real choice and control.

Year 11 students Jennifer and Zain spent months working with the council’s Early Help team to overhaul and improve their Post-16 Early Help Assessment. They reworded the assessment materials to make them easier to understand for other young people, families, agencies and everyone else involved.

A strength-based conversation that leads to an Early Help Assessment can empower families to achieve change, recognising the family’s knowledge and expertise and including them as active participants in the process of identifying their strengths, needs and desired changes. Each stage of the assessment process, including the final action plan, is negotiated and completed in partnership between the family and practitioners.

The Academy’s Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officer Amanda Ram had the pleasure of working with the students on the project and taking them to Town Hall to accept the award. She says,

As well as working with Jeff Burns and Tony Gifillan from the Council, Jennifer also visited the Early Help Operational Board. Professionals at the council are very keen to continue their working partnership with these insightful young people.