The beginning
On the International Day of Disabled People in December 2015, the Leader of Hammersmith & Fulham Council, Cllr Stephen Cowan, made a commitment to working closely with Disabled residents to make decisions about support and services. This commitment laid the foundation for a new way of doing things in our borough.
The Disabled People's Commission (DPC)
The Disabled People's Commission was established with a vision to set in place a new approach that values and respects the rights of local Disabled people. The commission was guided by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and took a social model of disability approach to its work.
The commission's work was driven by the principle of "Nothing About Us Without Us," reflecting the desire of local Disabled people to be actively involved in decisions affecting their lives.
Key recommendations
In June 2018, the DPC published its report, making eight recommendations to lead Hammersmith & Fulham towards becoming the most accessible and inclusive borough in London:
1. Create a co-production culture based on human rights and the social model of disability
2. Agree to co-production
3. Create a plan for communicating about co-production
4. Provide skills for better working together
5. Make sure services work in the way local Disabled people want
6. Develop a budget plan
7. Support Disabled People's Organisations (DPOs) to be stronger
8. Check the work and make changes if needed
These recommendations set the stage for implementing co-production across the entire council, making Hammersmith & Fulham the first local authority in the country to make such a commitment.
Formation of Co-Production Matters H&F
Following the end of the Commission in December 2017, a new group started meeting in 2018 to ensure the recommendations were put into practice. This group, initially named the "Hammersmith & Fulham Co-production Implementation Group (HFCIG)" and later renamed "Co-production Matters H&F", includes:
- Disabled residents
- Councillors
- Council officers
- Representatives from Disabled people's and other community organisations
This group plays a crucial role in overseeing and guiding the implementation of co-production principles across the borough.
Moving forward
The journey of co-production in Hammersmith & Fulham is ongoing. By committing to this approach, we're working towards a more inclusive, accessible, and equitable borough for all residents. Your participation in one of the co-production groups is a vital part of this process, helping to shape policies and services that truly meet the needs of our diverse community.
Disabled People's Commission Report
To read the report in full go to Disabled People's Commission Report