Co-design

We co-design people-centred programs and services that make an impact.

Engage us as your co-design partner

We get it. Engaging a co-design partner is a big deal. Learn about the fundamentals of co-design and our approach to a typical co-design project via our online course, assess your organisational readiness for co-design via our readiness assessment, and understand the costs associated with engaging a co-design consultant via our cost calculator. Then, when you are ready to chat, reach out and book a time to meet with our team so we can learn more about your next co-design project.

What is ‘co-design’?

We like to keep things simple here at Beacon Strategies. Co-design to us is working with the people who directly use a program or service to design a response that meets their needs — and then working with funders and service providers to make it happen.

Our co-design partners

We specialise in co-designing programs and services within the health and community services sector.

We co-design programs and services within the health sector, working alongside Primary Health Networks, Local Health Networks and Government in their role of planning, delivering or commissioning health services to meet the needs of their communities.

We support not-for-profit organisations (both large and small) in the community services sector to co-design their programs and services to make a lasting impact.

Across our sectors, our co-design experience spans subject matter areas such as mental health, suicide prevention, primary health care, secondary health care, social inclusion, chronic disease and child and family wellbeing.

We’ve been trusted to co-design with…

Recently completed co-design projects

Our projects

The Psychosocial Approaches to Thriving Health Systems (PATHS) project — Queensland Alliance for Mental Health.

We partnered with Queensland Alliance for Mental Health to support the PATHS project by designing and delivering stakeholder engagement to inform a community mental health support model. Insights helped shape a strengths-based, relational approach to psychosocial support in Townsville.

Project management support for CPL - Choice, Passion, Life

CPL required a lead consultant to help them develop an Inclusion Toolkit specifically for Queensland-based tourism and event businesses which would help them improve their inclusivity for people with disabilities.

Developing mental health system of care pathways for Brisbane North PHN

To help build out a suite of evidence-based care pathways, Brisbane North PHN engaged five expert-led agencies for selected priority conditions to work alongside Beacon Strategies…

National Consumer Journey Map for Epilepsy Smart Australia Pilot

Beacon Strategies worked in partnership with Epilepsy Smart Australia to conduct a National Consumer Journey Mapping project that would help their organisation provide better support to people with epilepsy.

Peer Worker Supervision and Management Framework for Empower Autism

We are supporting Empower Autism to develop a Peer Mentoring Program Risk and Oversight Framework to guide the safe and effective delivery of an innovative mentoring program. Empower is committed to the delivery of high-quality, effective services that improve the health and well-being of autistic people and those who care for them.

Co-design for social prescribing with Brisbane North PHN

Beacon Strategies was engaged by Brisbane North PHN to lead a co-design process to develop a social prescribing service model. The end product was a report and recommended service model that Brisbane North PHN would commission through a pilot project in Caboolture.

Co-design of an Integrated Mental Health Hub service model: Central and Eastern Sydney PHN

Beacon Strategies led a co-design process to design a service model and implementation guidelines for an Integrated Mental Health Hub for Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network (CESPHN).

Review of Community Suicide Prevention Service

Beacon Strategies undertook a review of the Community Suicide Prevention Service commissioned by Gold Coast Primary Health Network, to explore the program’s outcomes and provide recommendations to inform future commissioning.

Alternatives to Emergency Departments: Roses in the Ocean

As part of the NSW Ministry of Health’s Towards Zero Suicides initiatives, Beacon Strategies is supporting Roses in the Ocean to facilitate local co-design processes for twenty new Alternatives to EDs / Safe Spaces services in each of the local health districts (LHDs) across NSW. Beacon Strategies’ role is to document the findings emerging from the co-design process and use this to support the LHD to establish the service. This project is currently underway and expected to be completed by mid-2021.

Client Journey Mapping for Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast

The Beacon Strategies team has been engaged by Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast (MCGCC) to deliver an insightful client journey mapping process that allows MCCGC to enhance the effectiveness of their service offering and deliver better outcomes for their clients.

Creating tools and resources to meet Mental Health Literacy needs for HNC

We are working alongside Healthy North Coast and a Lived Experience Panel to identify barriers and enablers to help-seeking, which will lead to the development of locally relevant tools and resources that meet identified mental health literacy needs, helping people to act early and promoting available supports.

First Nations Alcohol and Other Drugs Program Co-Design: Drug ARM

The purpose of the project is to partner with Drug Arm to deliver an insightful co-design process that results in the development of a First Nations alcohol and other drug treatment program that meets the needs of service users, program staff and the broader organisation.

Care Coordination Co-design: COORDINARE

The purpose of the Care Coordination Co-design Project was to rapidly research, co-design and frame a commissioning intent for a care coordination model of care for people with chronic and complex health conditions in South Eastern NSW PHN.

Organisational Impact Framework: Act for Kids

In early 2021, Beacon Strategies supported Act for Kids to undertake a project to redefine its organisational purpose based on the contributions and perspectives of key internal and external stakeholders. Based on a recommendation arising from the project, the Act For Kids organisational impact measurement and reporting framework will align with their recently refreshed purpose statement.

Bribie Island After- Hours Pilot Project: Brisbane North PHN

Following an after-hours needs assessment conducted by Brisbane North PHN, it was identified that residents and visitors of Bribie Island do not have access to after-hours care. To address this need Beacon Strategies was commissioned to run stakeholder engagements that will inform a primary care model for after-hours service delivery.

Social Prescribing Co-Design: COORDINARE - South Eastern NSW PHN

Utilising a co-design process that was delivered via a Collaborative Pairs process, this project developed a model of social prescribing that aims to increase social connectedness and utilisation of non-clinical services and social supports for those living with chronic health conditions in South Eastern NSW.

Suicide Prevention Co-Design: Gold Coast PHN

Beacon Strategies was engaged by Wesley Mission Queensland and Gold Coast PHN to co-design a service model that aimed to address situational distress in the Gold Coast community, as part of the region’s broader suicide prevention efforts. Through a structured process of desktop research and engagement with people with lived experience and local system stakeholders, our project team developed an ‘implementation ready’ service model, preparing Wesley Mission Queensland to commence delivery of the service in early 2021.

Member Journey Mapping: Foodbank Queensland

As part of Foodbank Queensland’s commitment to understanding and improving the experience of member charities, Foodbank Queensland engaged Beacon Strategies to map the ‘current’ member journey, explore the experience from the perspective of members and identify opportunities for further improvement

Outpatients Co-design: Brisbane North PHN

The recent impact of COVID-19 on specialist outpatient services in Metro North, along with a rapid transformation to virtual care and telehealth models has highlighted an opportunity for a new approach to the delivery of outpatient services across the region. Beacon Strategies has been engaged to lead the design and delivery of the co-design process through a series of remote and innovative sessions.

Suicide Prevention Outreach Teams: COORDINARE (South Eastern NSW PHN)

Beacon Strategies were engaged by COORDINARE to support inside and out associates australia to co-design the establishment of local Suicide Prevention Outreach Teams (SPOT) in the South Eastern NSW region. The co-design of SPOT was funded by the NSW Ministry of Health as a key component of the statewide Towards Zero Suicides initiatives. Beacon Strategies summarised the co-design process through development of a service model summary document, presenting the final model to Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD at completion of the co-design process.

Child and Youth Mental Health Response (Logan and Beaudesert): Brisbane South PHN

Key stakeholders in the Logan/Beaudesert region have reported a number of issues and challenges relating to the capacity and accessibility of mental health services for children and youth. Brisbane South PHN have engaged Beacon Strategies to scope a coordinated service response to meet the mental health needs of children and youth in the region.

City Heart Cabs: Ipswich City Council

In 2020 Beacon Strategies engaged in a service design project partnering with Ipswich City Council. There was an opportunity to review the utility and performance of the City Heart Cabs program to ensure the program adheres to community needs, achieves the Council’s objectives and uses insights provided by similar models being operated by other local governments.

Carer Support for Individuals Experiencing a Suicidal Crisis: Queensland Health

The project involves the development, testing and evaluation of a multi-modal place-based model of support for individuals caring for people experiencing a suicidal crisis. The program was part of the broader Suicide Prevention in Health Services Initiative which aimed to identify and translate the evidence base for suicide prevention in the health service delivery context.

Service Model Redesign: Paradise Kids

The Paradise Kids service model redesign project saw Beacon Strategies partner with Wesley Mission Queensland to develop an evidence based, holistic and financially sustainable child and health service hub.

Co-design of a Refugee Health Model: Northern Territory PHN

Beacon Strategies in partnership with the Northern Territory PHN led a co-design process to redesign a NTPHN commissioned refugee health service model. In addition to targeted stakeholder engagement, Beacon Strategies identified a series of change management recommendations that aim to support the implementation of the service model.

Development of a regionally tailored cultural competency professional development package: Central Queensland, Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast PHN

Beacon Strategies partnered with CQWBSCPHN to develop a regionally tailored cultural competency professional development package that will improve the cultural competence of the health workforce across each of its sub-regional areas.

Suicide Prevention Digital Tool scoping project: Thompson Institute

Beacon Strategies are partnering with The Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience- Thompson Institute to scope the development of a suicide prevention tool which aims to support people in the community whose role potentially brings them in contact with people at risk of suicide.

Flourish Business Case: A partnership between Belong, Communify and Act for Kids

The Flourish business case development process was a market-led approach to designing an intensive early years intervention service aimed toward breaking the cycle of intergenerational disadvantage in two pilot sites (Brisbane South: Acacia Ridge and surrounds, Brisbane North: Keperra and surrounds).

Service and project design - chronic disease, mental health and AOD, place-based initiatives: CQWBSC PHN

Central Queensland Wide Bay Sunshine Coast PHN commissioned Beacon Strategies to undertake a number of Central Queensland based service design activities. Support provided by Beacon Strategies supported the PHN to develop and implement a number of new service offerings.

Learn co-design fundamentals

Understand the foundations of co-design and learn about a typical co-design process through our ‘Co-design Fundamentals’ online course.

Enrol in online course

Asses co-design readiness

Understand if you and your organisation are ready to undertake your next co-design initiative by taking our organisational co-design readiness assessment.

Take readiness assessment

Understand co-design costs

Estimate the investment required for engaging a co-design consultant for your next project by using our co-design cost calculator.

Go to cost calculator

Reach out for support

Book a time to get to know us and discuss how we can help you to deliver your next co-design project. Get all of your questions answered, obligation free.

Book a time with us to chat

Our co-design approach in more detail.

Our co-design process

Our methods follow tried and tested co-design methods that align with leading co-design frameworks such as Experience-Based Co-Design (EBCD) and Human Centred Design (HCD). Our focus on health equity and community involvement ensures that our co-design work is designed with vulnerable populations in mind.

We begin with working intensively with you in

We set up fit-for-purpose governance arrangements, develop a transparent co-design plan and collaborate to understand your context and the opportunity.

We engage widely with external stakeholders.

We collect feedback from stakeholders outside of the co-design process through surveys and webinars to validate, refine and add credibility to the process.

We leverage existing knowledge through desktop research.

We review your strategic and operational context, use data to assess local needs and look at comparable models from elsewhere for inspiration.

We work in partnership to move from ‘issue’ to ‘solution’.

We work closely with you to interpret co-design outcomes, refine service models accordingly, and use additional research to fill knowledge gaps.

We engage deeply with co-design participants.

We use proven co-design methods to meaningfully understand user experiences, needs, challenges and potential solutions from consumers and professionals.

We generate useful co-design reporting products.

We provide comprehensive reports, tailored summaries, and actionable advice to support service model design, re-design or commissioning activities.

We iteratively develop service models.

We create service model prototypes based on co-design insights to spark purposeful discussions and move the conversation forward.

We maintain your confidence along the way way.

Throughout the journey, we employ a disciplined approach to adhere to timelines and budgets, maintain close partnerships, and keep communication transparent.

Our co-design blogs

Featured

Streamlining Healthcare: The Role of Care Pathways

While 'care pathway' is a commonly used term, there are many different definitions and types of pathway that exist. We look at what a care pathway is, how to develop one and some case studies.

How to turn co-design insights into a tangible service model

The term 'service model' can be ambiguous and means different things to different people. It could be a one-page infographic or a 100-page program manual. Let’s walk through the most common ones we see.

The critical step in a successful co-design project

This blog is dedicated to developing a co-design project plan that offers a flexible framework for delivering your co-design project. It covers the three main elements necessary for your co-design project.

A step-by-step guide to co-design

Beneath a carefully planned and executed co-design session lies a purposeful process designed to achieve specific results. Follow this step-by-step guide to develop your own co-design process.

Co-design in Primary Health Networks

Explore what co-design looks like in the PHN commissioning context when compared to the service provider context and understand how the Department of Health and Ageing has directed PHNs to use co-design. Plus several co-design toolkits for PHNs.

Co-designing programs and services in not-for-profits

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. The Co-design Toolkit from Western Australia, published in 2017, has proven to be an invaluable resource for not-for-profits.

Experience-based Co-design

In this blog we'll outline the key elements of EBCD, point you in the direction of three resources that will help you get started and give you some insight on how we've used EBCD here at Beacon Strategies.

Co-design in Healthcare: a comprehensive guide

This blog explores co-design in healthcare, covering national/state frameworks, regional guidelines, and our perspective on designing healthcare solutions.

What is co-design?

This blog unpacks the common features of co-design according to leading experts, including its broad applicability, inclusive participation, equal decision-making, active engagement, and focus on implementation.

The Benefits of investing in Co-design

Collaborating with diverse voices to create real-world solutions while being transparent and building capabilities fosters meaningful involvement and better outcomes. Discover how co-design enhances idea generation, services, and outcomes.

Strutting Down Bradshaw Boulevard: Navigating the Taxonomy of Needs with Carrie and Jonathan

Today, we're putting the spotlight on two Bradshaws - Carrie, the ever-fashionable protagonist of "Sex and the City," and Jonathan, the British scholar who introduced the Taxonomy of Needs. How do these two relate? Read on to find out…

‘Like a library, but for mental health’ — Designing an integrated mental health hub service model

Why you should undertake client journey mapping

Journey mapping can be used to design or refine your programs and services in order to provide your clients with a better experience, and to help you understand what your client is doing, thinking, and feeling during their ‘journey,’ when using your service. We explain what’s involved in client journey mapping and why you should do it.

Key elements and principles of co-design

What is co-design and why should we use it? As discussed in our last blog, co-design is a form of human-centric design which basically means collaborating with people. Now, let's talk about the 4 key elements of co-design and guiding principles.

So, what is ‘good’ co-design?

Co-design is quite topical in the health and social services sectors and there can be some confusion about what co-design is, and probably more so what it isn’t and what is involved in a true co-design process. Actually breaking down the word ‘co-design’ can help to develop a clear understanding of what it is.

What is Customer Journey Mapping and how can it be used by not-for-profit organisations?

The good news is that with a bit of space, time and well thought through process design, undertaking a customer journey mapping process isn’t unattainable for a not-for-profit organisation to deliver effectively. To help get you started, we’ve outlined a common customer journey mapping process that we have used successfully across a number of previous projects.

How can local health systems improve the uptake of social prescribing? A South Eastern NSW case study (3/3)

Moving from a position of mobilising general support for the concepts towards the uptake and implementation of social prescribing elements is the challenge. There are significant opportunities to enhance the uptake of social prescribing in local communities and health systems right across Australia, with PHNs having a particularly profound opportunity to lead the charge.

What does good social prescribing look like? A South Eastern NSW case study (2/3)

In considering what ‘good’ looks like in the context of social prescribing, we should start with why it’s not already happening. It seems logical to focus on a person’s health and social needs and from the work we’ve done with consumers and health professionals, there is shared recognition of the importance and need for something like social prescribing.

What is social prescribing? A South Eastern NSW case study (1/3)

With the continued focus on social prescribing as a ‘high-value, low-cost’ way of improving the responsiveness of the health system, we thought it would be worthwhile to unpack some of what we learnt in that project to share with other PHNs commissioning social prescribing service models or linkage program providers. This blog is the first of three in a South Eastern NSW case study series: what is social prescribing?

5 steps for Primary Health Networks before embarking on their next service design project.

Recently, our team has closed out a number of PHN specific design projects. As a means of providing value for our PHN colleagues, we thought we would share some specific service design insights and tips for you to consider before running your next service design process.

Redesigning a health service model through evidence review and policy scanning

Any provider of health and social services should regularly review their service models against the latest evidence, policy priorities and practice guidance. The following blog explores the inputs we use to inform service redesign and create "implementation ready" service models. Read more here.

How to identify needs in your local government area

Needs assessment is a term that you have most likely heard of if you work for a local government or council. However, what exactly is it, why should you consider conducting one and what is the best approach?

Aged Care Innovation: The Buurtzorg Model

The Buurtzorg Model has transformed community-based aged nursing in the Netherlands, at scale, to keep older adults healthy and out of hospital. But can the Buurtzorg Model be translated to the Australian context? Is it possible to reverse or better leverage the trend of an increasingly non-clinical in-home aged care workforce? How do we shift from delivering aged care services transactionally to relationally?

Flourish: a market-led approach to designing an intensive early years intervention

Market-led approaches to health and social services are considered to be a responsive, innovative and efficient mechanism in meeting the needs of consumers. At Beacon Strategies we were lucky enough to join one of our partner organisations for the journey.

Taking a strategic approach to expanding service delivery: A case study

One of our key projects during the second half of 2017 was to support a client in planning their expansion into Queensland. In this article, we describe the steps we undertook, what we found, and how a similar approach can help ensure organisations considering expansion to do so successfully.

Presenting the 'Supported Mothers, Stronger Futures' service model to the Acacia Ridge community

We were engaged by Acacia Ridge Community Support Inc (ARCSI) to co-design a service model of community-based antenatal care coordination for the Acacia Ridge and nearby communities. A few weeks ago, we proudly presented the findings of this service design process at a workshop led by ARCSI and attended by a range of interested stakeholders.

The locally available service mix to enhance the coordination of support services for pregnant women

Today's blog post is going to cover a piece of work we are currently doing in collaboration with Acacia Ridge Community Support Inc! For those not familiar with what 'service mapping' is, it is essentially a stocktake of available services in the local community to better understand what is available.

Beacon getting to work in Acacia Ridge

Midway through this year, we were engaged by Acacia Ridge Community Support Inc. to complete a community needs assessment and service design project focussing on the prenatal period as a key time to influence the trajectory of one's lifelong health and prosperity.

Beacon boys do co-design in Northern NSW

It's been a busy couple of months here at Beacon HQ but we thought it might be good to share a tale from our travels.