Designated Clinical Officer

Designated Clinical Officer

right

The Children and Families Act 2012 was designed to support children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Integrated Commissioning Boards (ICBs) must provide a Designated Medical Officer or Designated Clinical Officer (DCO). In Newcastle we have a DCO.

Our DCO is Dawn Robson and if you need to contact the DCO please email:  

nencicb-ng.sendhealthteam@nhs.net

The DCO plays a key part in implementing the SEND reforms. They support joined up working between health services, local authorities, parent participation forums, schools and colleges.

They provide the point of contact for health colleagues, local authorities, schools and colleges seeking health advice on children and young people who may have SEN or disabilities.

Dawn's role is:

  • To listen to children and young people and their families and professionals. She monitors and improves the health service provision for children and young people with SEND, to enable them to achieve their full potential
  • To inform the joint commissioning agenda in relation to healthcare provision. She ensures that the voice and experience of children and young people with SEND, and their families, are heard and that the services provided are appropriate for their needs
  • To provide a single point of contact for children, young people, families and professionals seeking information about all aspects of health provision in Education Health and Care Plans.
  • Oversight from a health perspective of education, health and care panels to discuss which children go forward for assessments and then if required have an education, health and care plan (EHCP)
  • Supporting health professionals to contribute to the education, health and care assessment process
  • Working with others in the local area to improve the quality of education, health and care plans
  • Supporting the SEN team at the local authority with questions and queries.
  • Promoting links between the SEN team, educational professionals, social care and health services
  • Supporting the commissioners and senior leadership team with regards meeting and assuring the SEND health requirements
  • Working alongside commissioners and stakeholders including children and young people, parents and carers to identify and raise any commissioning gaps some of which may require joint commissioning to resolve
  • Ensuring we can evidence a good local offer of health services and clear health journeys for those age 0-25 with SEND

To contact the DCO email:  nencicb-ng.sendhealthteam@NHS.net

 

 

 

Was this page useful ?
How can we help?
Your details