Participation and co-production in children’s healthcare
Your voice matters: Why participation and co-production are vital in children's healthcare
Beth Dawson
Neurodevelopmental Services Co-production Coordinator
Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust
In the evolving landscape of children's healthcare, one principle is gaining momentum: those who use the services - children, young people, and their families - are best placed to shape them. Across the UK, participation and co-production are no longer optional extras; they are becoming central to how community healthcare is designed and delivered.
Participation means children and families are actively involved in decisions about their care. Co-production takes this further, inviting children, young people, parents, and professionals to work together as equal partners to create and improve services. These approaches recognise a simple but powerful truth: children are experts in their own lives.
When young people are listened to, healthcare becomes more relevant, respectful, and effective. Services shaped by those who use them tend to be more inclusive and better tailored to real needs, leading to improved outcomes and more positive experiences for families. For children, being involved fosters confidence, communication skills, and a sense of ownership. For parents, it builds trust and strengthens collaboration with healthcare providers.
Real change is already happening. At Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, young people played a key role in developing FYI Norfolk; a trusted online resource offering health advice, emotional support, and guidance for 11- to 24-year-olds in Norfolk and Waveney (www.fyinorfolk.nhs.uk). It's a clear example of how co-production can lead to meaningful, lasting impact.
Getting involved is easier than you might think. Many NHS Trusts and local councils offer youth advisory boards and parent panels. Sharing your experiences through surveys, interviews, or creative projects, can help shape better care. And simply encouraging your child to ask questions and speak up can make a difference.
Children and young people are not just patients, they are partners. Their voices matter. And when they are heard, healthcare improves for everyone.
Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust runs a youth forum to help shape the way we deliver care and achieve better outcomes for children and young people. Find out more: https://www.norfolkcommunityhealthandcare.nhs.uk/young-voices-together