SCIE gets set to tackle care equity at its upcoming 11th annual Co-production Week
The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has announced the theme and programme for its 11th annual Co-production Week, taking place from 29 June to 3 July 2026.
This year’s theme is ‘Care equity: who gets care?’, focusing on the stark variations that continue to shape people’s experiences of social care in England.
SCIE says people with similar needs can have very different experiences depending on where they live, their socioeconomic circumstances, ethnicity, disability, gender, or other factors. Throughout the week, SCIE will host a daily webinar or workshop to share learning, insight and practical examples aimed at overcoming inequities in access to care, quality of care and outcomes.
The programme will also showcase innovative projects working towards fairer care, alongside insights from local authorities, people with lived experience and organisations involved in co-production.
As part of Co-production Week, SCIE will launch new research, ‘Understanding People’s Experiences of Inequities in Social Care’, and explore its Care Equity Evidence Hub, an online resource bringing together research, data and practice evidence to help address inequities in social care.
Sessions will also examine who is missing from co-production, how co-production is shaping innovation in social care, and issues around recognition, payment and fairness for people with lived experience.
Gerard Crofton-Martin, Interim Chief Executive at SCIE, said: “This Co-production Week is about championing the power of co-production in shaping care equity. Through the sessions, we will be exploring what it means to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, identity or circumstances, has equal access to high-quality social care.
“It is an opportunity for all those involved in the social care sector to share their experiences so that they can influence the way that services are designed, commissioned, and delivered, and to reflect on their work and embed co-production more meaningfully in it. Ultimately, our aim is to create a better, more inclusive future for social care.
“We hope you will join us.”
Kevin Minier, a member of the SCIE Co-production Steering Group, added: “Co-production Week is for everyone. It’s about listening to each other and sharing what matters to you. Whether you draw on services, care for someone, work in care, or are part of your community—your view matters.
“Almost all of us will be touched by care at some point in our lives, whether that’s supporting someone we love or receiving care ourselves. When we listen and work together, we can make things better for everyone.
“Come visit, join in, and help us co-produce a care system that is kind to all.”
The SCIE Co-production Week 2026 programme is designed to support organisations, practitioners, people with lived experience and communities to come together, exchange ideas and explore how co-production can shape more inclusive and responsive care.
The first session, ‘Co-production: The key to achieving care equity’, will take place on Monday 29 June from 11:00am to 12:30pm. It will introduce SCIE’s Care Equity Evidence Hub, share the latest research insights, and give attendees the opportunity to take part in interactive discussions around tackling inequality in social care.
On Tuesday 30 June from 1:30pm to 3:00pm, ‘Who’s Missing? Inclusive co-production in practice’ will explore how organisations can reach and involve communities whose voices are too often unheard. The session will look at what inclusive co-production means in practice and how services can better reflect the experiences of the people they support.
The ‘West Midlands ADASS AI Playbook’ session will be held on Wednesday 1 July from 10:30am to 11:30am. It will focus on how co-production is shaping innovation in social care, giving attendees insight into how collaborative approaches can inform new tools, ideas and ways of working.
On Thursday 2 July from 2:00pm to 4:00pm, ‘Towards Fair Care’ will provide an open and honest discussion on care equity. The session will examine the barriers and challenges that prevent fair access to high-quality care, while also exploring possible solutions.
The week will conclude on Friday 3 July from 2:00pm to 3:30pm with ‘Valuing and recognising lived experience: from good intentions to fair practice’. This panel session will consider the realities of recognition, payment and fairness in co-production, particularly for people sharing their lived experience to help improve services.
A supported living provider has warned that disabled and vulnerable adults are increasingly being left to manage housing, healthcare and day-to-day life with little or no statutory support, as pressure on adult social care continues to grow.
