Expectations versus reality: the sustainability of co-production approaches over time

This study explores co-production between practitioners and service users through a longitudinal analysis of two programmes, identifying the factors that facilitate or prevent co-production from being sustainable over the longer term. There is no one ‘best practice’ for sustainable co-production; rather, it is contingent upon the nature of the service and the environment in which it operates. Sustainable co-production requires an alignment between four elements–structure, skills, resources, and mutual commitment. Structure (design and framework for co-production) must be able to deploy available resources and skills so that service users’ and professionals’ commitment to continue co-production is fostered.