Designated Clinical Officer (DCO)

Alex Nancollis gives an overview of her SEND role in Cumbria.

In Cumbria this post sits in the Nursing & Quality Team of North Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group and is in line with the Code of Practice (June 2014). The Designated Clinical Officer works across the whole of the footprint of Cumbria on behalf of both North Cumbria CCG and Morecambe Bay CCG. The Designated Clinical Officer has a role in supporting joined up working between health services and local authorities.

The role of the Designated Clinical Officer is to: 

• Ensure the flow of advice to local authorities, schools and colleges regarding the health needs of children and young people who may have SEN or disabilities, including navigating the local health system. 

• Ensuring that health services fulfil their duties to provide appropriate notification to the local authority of children under compulsory school age who they think may have SEN or disabilities. 

• Supporting schools with their duties under the ‘Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions’ guidance. 

The DCO is not routinely involved in assessments or planning for individuals, except in the course of their usual clinical practice, but would be responsible for ensuring that assessment, planning and health support is carried out by health providers.