Facilitators and barriers of co-production of services with children and young people within education, health and care services

Aim:This systematic review of research studies published between 2014 and 2019 explores facilitators and barriers to successful co-production and its application to practice.Rationale:Through legislation, ‘co-production’ underpins practice to promote social justice for children and young people (CYP) with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). Yet little is known about how to engage in co-production successfully.Method:Through systematic searching of research databases, a total of 21 papers was found, seven of which met inclusion criteria and were found to be of at least medium level methodological quality and relevance.Findings:The included research papers highlight the importance of leadership support for co-production to enable CYP to really ‘be heard’, as well as practical considerations around transport and support to attend co-production meetings. Creative methods chosen by CYP, flexibility to the needs of CYP and valuing CYP’s time and views were significant factors in creating change through co-production.Implications:A lack of funding, commitment and awareness by leaders and organisations to ensure that CYP can participate over time, often however, led to unsustainable co-production endeavours.Limitations:A significant gap was identified within the co-production of Education services, with the majority of research papers developing co-production and social justice practice within Health and Social Care organisations.Conclusions:Implications for development of practice and further research are considered.