Co-production is central to LIIA’s SEND programme, ensuring services are designed with, not for, children, young people and families. It strengthens the voice of parents, carers and young people across London and embeds lived experience into SEND leadership, diagnostics and improvement activity.
Working in partnership with the National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF), the programme is promoting consistent, high-quality co-production practice across Local Areas and aligning participation with wider SEND reform priorities, including the Schools White Paper and Local Area SEND Reform Plans.
Co-production in London: a snapshot of current practice
LIIA has published Coproduction in London, a report by the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi) and a comprehensive picture of co-production with parent carers across London’s 33 Local Areas. It draws on focus groups with parent carers, local authority staff, health colleagues and voluntary sector representatives covering 31 Local Areas, a review of all Local Offers, and conversations young people.
Key findings
- Commitment to co-production is strong, but practice is inconsistent and not yet embedded as the norm.
- Co-production is often confused with consultation.
- Trust, transparency and feedback loops make the biggest difference.
- Capacity is stretched for both Parent Carer Forums and local authorities.
- Strategic involvement doesn’t always improve families’ individual experiences.
Recommendations
The report makes six recommendations, including a pan-London co-production working group, a pan-London approach to young people’s voice, tailored support where trust has broken down, and dedicated resources for parent carer involvement.
Next steps
LIIA is working with the NNPCF, Parent Carer Forums, local authorities, health partners and young people to take these forward and has launched a Co-Production Development Group to oversee implementation of reccomendations.
Project Goals
This project aims to strengthen meaningful coproduction across London’s SEND system. It supports more consistent engagement with children, young people and families, embeds lived experience into diagnostics and leadership activity, and aligns participation with wider SEND reform and improvement priorities.
Governance
This programme reports into the ALDCS SEND Steering Group and works with parent, carer and youth engagement networks.