This Designated Clinical Officer post sits within the Integrated Care Board's SEND team at Place, supporting the Senior DCO for children and young people with SEND across Bristol and North Somerset. Core work is ensuring health needs in EHC plans are met, quality-assuring health advice, and supporting panels, tribunals and inspections. The post is senior and clinically led, acts as deputy to the Senior DCO, and works with parent carer forums. A registered health professional with clinical leadership and SEND experience is needed.
What the job involves
- Coordinate with education, health and social care professionals at Place for children and young people with SEND
- Provide expert clinical input to complex cases, including health needs within EHC plans
- Quality-assure EHC advice and plans where provider services contribute, including Sections C and G for 0-25s
- Attend multi-agency panels, meetings and case discussions at Place, and arrange health support for statutory SEND panels
- Advise ICB and health colleagues on health responsibilities and statutory SEND duties
- Support SEND tribunals with written advice to health colleagues
- Represent health at Place in SEND forums, consultations and inspections with the Senior DCO and Lead SEND Manager, and lead on relevant local action plan actions
- Develop and deliver training for health professionals on SEND processes and statutory responsibilities
- Attend Parent Carer Forum and ICB or provider meetings and support engagement with families and carers
- Act as deputy to the Senior DCO, covering absence and supporting statutory functions
- Advise the Senior DCO on improvements, take part in change initiatives and support Section 23 early notification processes
- Support delivery of the 2026 SEND reforms and work with system partners to resolve issues affecting health services for children with SEND
What's required
Qualifications
- Master's level education, or equivalent senior experience in a specialist area
- Evidence of post-qualifying and continuing professional development
Registration & licences
- Registered health professional (NMC, HCPC, GMC or similar)
- Membership of relevant professional body, if applicable
Experience
- Clinical leadership and SEND experience
- Managing and motivating a team, reviewing individual performance and budget holding
- Identifying and interpreting national policy and researching best practice to advise on implementation
Skills & knowledge
- Understanding of SEND legislation and the Code of Practice
- Understanding of healthcare policy and of how NHS organisations relate to wider system, regional and national bodies
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, intermediate keyboard skills and confident use of digital systems
- Handling highly complex, sensitive or contentious information and negotiating with senior stakeholders
- Analysis, problem solving and strategic thinking, including developing options and resolving issues early
- Planning over short, medium and long-term timeframes, adjusting plans and resources
Other
- Thorough commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships
- Working in a busy, highly political and sensitive environment with adaptability to change and uncertainty
- Making autonomous decisions on difficult issues to tight and changing timescales
Nice to have
- PRINCE2 or Managing Successful Projects experience
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Contact Details:
The Methodist Church in Britain Recruitment Team
