This role was created as part of the SEND reforms to support the clinical commissioning group and local health services to implement the Children and Families Act and the SEND code of practice.
Each local area should have a Designated Medical Officer (DMO) and/or Designated Clinical Officer (DCO) for SEND. The DCO plays a key role in implementing and embedding SEND responsibilities for health and supporting joined up working between health services, local authorities and other SEND partners.
The DCO provides a point of contact for local authorities, schools and colleges seeking health information or queries about health provision for children and young people with SEND.
The DCO would not routinely be involved in assessments or planning for individuals, but would be responsible for ensuring that assessment, planning and health support is carried out (SEND Code of Practice 2015)
The role is varied and includes the following (but not exclusive):
- Maintaining an overview of the way health services work with local children, young people and families with SEND across the 0-25 age range in Bromley
- Working with health services to ensure good quality contributions to the Education, Health and Care Plan process
- Joint working with partners to improve the quality of Education, Health and Care Plans.
- Promoting links between the local authority, education settings, social care and health services
- Supporting commissioners in the development of good quality services for SEND
- Working alongside all SEND partners including children and young people, parents and carers to identify and raise any concerns relating to health services for SEND.
- Providing advice to education settings with regards to their duties under the ‘Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions’ guidance.
- Contributing to strategic level decision making, scrutiny and improvement via the SEND Governance Board.