Co-design is the deepest form of stakeholder engagement
Co-design is:
- The optimal method of working together when designing health initiatives that seek to achieve equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Co-design upholds community leadership and self-determination.
- An equal partnership between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and policy/program makers.
- Based on listening, planning, deciding and learning together.
Co-design is not:
- A one-off activity.
- Simply asking for feedback about plans that have already been made.
- Simply inviting an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person to join an established working group.
Levels of stakeholder engagement
When designing health policy or programs, stakeholder engagement can occur at multiple levels. Different engagement approaches may be appropriate depending on context or at different stages in a project – as described in ‘Getting started’.
| Inform | Consult | Involve | Collaborate | Co-Design / Empower |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
To educate stakeholders using one-way communication. There is no invitation to respond.
|
To gain information and feedback from stakeholders to inform decisions made internally. Limited two-way communication: ask questions and the stakeholder provides answers. |
To work directly with stakeholders throughout the process to ensure that concerns are understood and considered. Two-way/multi-way communication where learning takes place on both sides. |
To partner with stakeholders to develop mutually agreed solutions and a joint plan of action. Two-way/multi-way communication with learning, negotiation and decision making on both sides. Stakeholders work together to take action. |
Final decision Stakeholders are equipped to actively contribute to the achievement of outcomes. |
References
2. Department of Health and Aged Care Stakeholder Engagement Framework
3. Cancer Australia National Framework for consumer Involvement in Cancer Control
