Co-designing programs and services in not-for-profits
The Co-design Toolkit from Western Australia, published in 2017, has proven to be an invaluable resource for not-for-profits seeking to enhance their collaborative design efforts.
Developed by the Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS), this toolkit offers a range of practical tools to engage funders, community organisations, and service users in co-creating programs and services.
By fostering a partnership-based approach to service development and delivery, co-design balances the perspectives of funders, providers, and users, including carers, families, and community members. This collaborative approach leads to improved outcomes and better meets the needs of individuals.
With co-design increasingly being adopted as the standard for service design and delivery in the community services sector, government bodies, service providers, and users are seeking guidance on effective implementation.
This blog takes a look at some not-for-profit leaders in the co-design space and some of their frameworks.
Overview of the WACOSS co-design toolkit
The WACOSS co-design toolkit highlights the vital contributions of all stakeholders in the co-design process:
Clients, service users and their support networks are experts in their individual experiences. Their inclusion in service design acknowledges their knowledge and offers valuable perspectives on service responsiveness, enhancing effectiveness and spotting potential issues before they arise.
Government agencies possess in-depth knowledge of political objectives and the allocation of funds to fulfil community goals. They also have extensive data on existing services and community needs. Their involvement ensures services align with government priorities and receive proper funding.
Service providers (the topic of this blog!), including their management and frontline staff, understand client needs firsthand. Their input is crucial to ensuring services are practical, successful, and suited to the people they serve.
A successful co-design process is essential for not-for-profit service providers as it enables them to create services that cater to the community's requirements effectively. When done well, co-design harnesses diverse perspectives, combining the lived experience of service users with the expertise of providers and the strategic overview of government agencies. This combination of knowledge leads to more targeted, impactful, and sustainable services.
Co-design leaders in the not-for-profit space
In the not-for-profit sector, effective co-design is not only a concept but a strategic approach that can significantly enhance service delivery and impact. Organisations that excel in co-design create better services and also foster a stronger connection with their communities, ensuring that their initiatives are responsive and sustainable.
Below, we highlight not-for-profit entities that have become thought leaders in co-design practices.
Roses in The Ocean
Roses in The Ocean is recognised for its focus on lived experience in suicide prevention. Their co-design framework is tailored to the intricacies of suicide prevention, reflecting an iterative co-design process.
Key elements of their framework include a dedicated facilitation team, engagement strategies for stakeholders with lived experience, and a commitment to ongoing evaluation of the co-design process.
Resources and tools are customised to align with best-practice methods from the health and social services sectors, underpinned by a model honouring the iterative nature of evidence-based co-design. Read more here.
Mind Australia
Mind Australia has integrated co-design into its fabric, reflecting this commitment in its 2021-2026 strategy.
The organisation's Participation and Co-design Practice Framework outlines how it engages with communities to enhance service design and delivery. It lays out the conditions necessary for successful co-design, principles for collaboration, and measures for success.
Mind Australia emphasises the role of lived experience in driving their service design, research, and advocacy, striving to make co-design an everyday practice within the organisation. Read more here.
Orygen
Orygen has developed resources focused on co-designing with young people, aiming to redefine youth mental health services.
Their guide is intended to assist in understanding and implementing co-design, highlighting the benefits of involving young people in the process.
It includes insights on supporting young participants, opportunities for co-design, and access to helpful resources, emphasising the transformative potential of youth involvement in co-design. Read more here.
Feros Care
Feros Care developed a Co-design Framework to enhance their Community Capacity Building Projects by focusing on active community involvement.
The framework reflects their commitment to empowerment, emphasising enabling people with disabilities to lead changes.
To ensure that the services provided are truly reflective of the community's needs, this approach involves involving stakeholders in both project development and the creation of the co-design framework itself. You can read more about this approach here.
Next steps in your co-design journey
The Co-design journey in not-for-profit service provision is about utilising collective expertise and shared experiences to shape services that actually make a difference. It recognises the unique insight of each stakeholder – service users with lived experience, government bodies offering strategic and financial oversight, and service providers with an on-the-ground understanding.
As demonstrated by Roses in The Ocean, Mind Australia, Orygen, and Feros Care, we see the value in taking a structured and documented approach to co-design. These not-for-profits that use co-design efficiently show us that incorporating the voices of those they serve creates services that are more effective and reflective of community needs.
For not-for-profits looking to embrace this collaborative approach, the next step is to gather knowledge and begin the journey. Visit our co-design homepage for guidance on incorporating these practices into your organisation.
At Beacon Strategies, we provide the tools and support to navigate co-design, and tailoring services that are both meaningful and sustainable.
Discover more on how we can assist you in this venture and let’s create services with lasting community value.
Visit our Co-design Homepage to get started!
