The Designated Clinical Officer (DCO)

The SEND code of practice requires the appointment of a Medical/Clinical practitioner to support the CCG to meet statutory responsibilities for children and young people with SEND and/or disabilities between the ages of 0 and 25 years. The  CCG ’s were disbanded 1 July 2022 to form Integrated Care Systems, with place based commissioning and responsibility for each geographical area. The DCO continues to be a key role in supporting health services, with the implementation of the Children and Families Act 2014 part 3. The scope of the role is very broad and can vary regionally. However, the key responsibilities of the DCO are:

• Oversight – across all health professionals delivering health-care to individual disabled children, young people and those with special educational needs. The DCO works in partnership and co-production to ensure the understanding of SEND ;supporting with signposting to appropriate professionals/services; and networking with the wider system, including the voluntary sector.
• Coordination – supporting providers in relation to responsibilities and accountability relating to SEND ,such as health information shared on the Local Offer, processes regarding the health element of Education, Health and Care plans, complex case management, Early Notification of children with SEN/possible SEND to the LA, and many other groups such as Children & Young People’s Continuing Care and the transition of young people with  SEND to adulthood.
• Strategic – contributing to the various SEND boards and groups, including SEND partnership, SEND joint commissioning and SEND health performance and compliance. The identification of gaps in provision are escalated to appropriate NHS Place.

Designated Clinical Officer for Cheshire East

The DCO for NHS Cheshire East Place is Ingrid Bell. If you would like help and support on a SEND health matter, email ingrid.bell@cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk or call 07765 156692.