Talk Adult Social Care Partnership (TASC) forum
Our vision
To create an inclusive adult social care system where people who use services, carers, and professionals collaborate meaningfully to design, implement, and improve services. We strive for a future where co-production is not only a standard, but a fundamental value, driving quality, equity, and person-centred care.
Join the TASC partnership forum
Whether you are using or have used adult social care services, are a family member or carer to someone who is, or you are working in an adult social care service in Central Bedfordshire, your voice matters. We recognise that our services are most effectively delivered, designed, and improved by collaborating with our experts by experience.
If you're interested in being involved in making your voice heard, and shaping the future of adult social care in Central Bedfordshire, you can register your interest to find out more.
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How is TASC different from other networks?
Some networks and forums focus on sharing information and providing support. While they include some participation – where people share feedback or contribute to projects – they don’t focus on co-production.
The TASC partnership forum is different; it’s all about co-production, where professionals and people with lived experience, their families or carers work together as equals to design and deliver services. Unlike participation, where decisions are made by professionals, co-production values everyone’s input, shares responsibility, and creates more inclusive and effective solutions.
Participation vs. co-production
- Power sharing
- Participation: Limited, professionals retain control.
- Co-production: Equal, shared responsibility and decision-making.
- Engagement level
- Participation: Consultation or involvement.
- Co-production: Collaboration and joint ownership.
- Role of people
- Participation: Informants or contributors.
- Co-production: Partners and co-creators.
- Outcome
- Participation: Feedback is gathered for decision-makers.
- Co-production: Decisions and solutions are co-created.
TASC meetings and events
By signing up to join TASC Partnership Forum, we will inform you of the dates of future TASC meetings.
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What is co-production?
Co-production is when people, this includes people who use care and support services and/or carers, alongside people who work in care and support, come together as equals to make decisions or create services that work for everyone. It is based on the idea that those who use care and support are the best placed to decide how it should work (Think Local Act Personal).
Ladder of co-production
The ladder of co-production is a framework based on Arnstein’s Ladder of Participation. It describes the steps towards achieving co-production in strategic commissioning across health and social care. This framework supports understanding of the stages of access and inclusion, helping stakeholders progress towards full co-production.
To find out a little more about co-production and what it is, watch this 5-minute video which uses football as an analogy to explain the 7 steps on the ladder to achieving true and effective co-production. Don’t worry if you’re not a football fan, there is no talk of the offside rule and it’s easy to follow!
Co-production in adult social care
Our aim
To embed co-production at the heart of adult social care services in Central Bedfordshire.
Why co-production and how will it work for us?
The why
We recognise that our services are most effectively delivered, designed, and improved by collaborating with lived experience partners.
The how
In every stage of decision-making, we are committed to actively involving and including people who access our adult social care services, as well as caregivers, and professionals. This approach means that everyone has equal power and control in the design, delivery, and evaluation of our services.
Our principles of co-production
Co-production in adult social care is underpinned by the following principles:
- Equality: All people have equal value in the decision-making process. Their contributions, whether they are people with lived experiences, carers, or professionals, are equally significant
- Inclusion: Ensuring that diverse voices, particularly those of marginalised or underrepresented groups, are actively included in shaping services
- Transparency: Being open and honest about how decisions are made, who is involved, and what impacts those decisions will have
- Collaboration: Fostering a spirit of working together, sharing power, and co-designing services that meet the real needs of individuals and communities
- Accountability: Establishing clear roles, responsibilities, and mechanisms to hold all parties accountable for their contributions to the co-production process
- Sustainability: Co-production should lead to long-term, sustainable improvements in service delivery, promoting self-sufficiency and resilience