About this role
Job summary
DCO for SEND supports the Senior DCO to ensure the health needs of children and young people with SEND are identified, planned for and met. The role oversees Place-level statutory duties for people aged 0-25 across Bristol and North Somerset, working with health, education, social care and voluntary sector partners to improve SEND services in line with statutory requirements and evidence-based practice.
The role supports SEND activity across both Local Authorities by:
Acting as a consistent link between local health services and Local Authorities; supporting panel decisions; overseeing the quality of health advice for Education, Health and Care plans; attending SEND Partnership Boards and other meetings; and helping prepare for and support Local Area SEND inspections.
Supporting SEND tribunals through written advice and assistance to health colleagues; contributing to SEND improvement events and service development; supporting Place-level delivery of the 2026 SEND reforms; and working with system partners to resolve issues affecting health services for children and young people with SEND.
Main duties of the job
Work collaboratively with education, health, and social care professionals at Place to ensure a coordinated approach to meeting the needs of children and young people with SEND.
Participate in multi-agency panels, meetings, and case discussions as required at Place.
Provide expert clinical input to complex cases, supporting the identification and management of health needs within EHC plans.
Provide advice and guidance to ICB and health colleagues regarding health responsibilities and statutory duties for children and young people with SEND.
Develop and deliver training for health professionals on SEND processes and statutory responsibilities.
Represent the health sector at Place in SEND-related forums, consultations, and inspections.
Co-production & Collaboration with Parent Carer organisations: Attend & support meetings with Parent Carer Forums and the ICB/ health providers. Support the Senior DCO as required to engage with children, families, and carers, ensuring their voices inform service delivery and improvement.
Advise the Senior DCO of areas for possible improvement at Place, participate in change initiatives as required, and contribute to the development of innovative practices in SEND health provision.
Act as deputy to the Senior DCO as required, providing cover during absence and supporting delivery of all statutory functions.
About us
We are committed to creating an inclusive organisation that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative workplace that helps us to deliver the best services. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community; from people of all ages, disabled people, all genders, people from ethnic minority groups, LGBTQ+ people, people with diverse gender identity and expression, people from all religions and beliefs and other diverse characteristics, and we have processes in place to ensure that all applications are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Act as the main point of contact at place for support and advice for SEND at Place and work jointly with leads from health, education and social care and the local parent carer forum to plan and implement the local area SEND strategy.
To follow and support ongoing development of processes to meet statutory SEND duties at Place in parallel with others working at Place across the ICB Cluster. This will include:
Quality Assurance of Education Health and Care Advice reports and Plans where provider services are contributing.
Quality Assurance of Education Health and Care Advice for Sections C & G of final plans for Children and young people aged 0-25.
Section 23 Early Notification of SEND processes
SEND Inspection Preparation activities and information collation in conjunction with Senior DCO
SEND Inspection arrangements and representation in conjunction with Senior DCO & Lead SEND Manager
Participation in delivery of actions in local Action Plan / revised SEND Strategy at Place following Area SEND Inspection, taking a lead role as relevant.
Arrangements for Health service support for Statutory SEND Panels at Place level
Person Specification (Essential elements)
Registered Health Professional (NMC, HCPC, GMC, etc.)
Member of relevant professional body
Educated to masters level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in specialist area.
Experience in clinical leadership and SEND.
Understanding of SEND legislation and the Code of Practice
Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development.
Demonstrates good overall digital literacy, with the ability to confidently use computers and digital systems required for daytoday work.
Person Specification
Knowledge, Training and Experience
Essential
- Registered Health Professional (NMC, HCPC, GMC, etc.)
- Educated to master's level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in specialist area.
- Experience in clinical leadership and SEND.
- Demonstrates good overall digital literacy, with the ability to confidently use computers and digital systems required for day to day work.
- Must have an understanding of the background to and aims of current healthcare policy and appreciate the implications of this on engagement.
- A good understanding of the relationship between NHS organisations and wider system, regional and national organisations.
- Member of relevant professional body, if applicable
Communication Skills
Essential
- Must be able to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information to large and influential groups.
- Negotiate on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change.
Analytical
Essential
- Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands.
- Ability to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of options.
- Takes decisions on difficult and contentious issues where there may be a number of courses of action
- Strategic thinking - ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise
Planning Skills
Essential
- Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly
Desirable
- Comprehensive experience of project principles techniques and tools such as Prince 2 and Managing Successful Projects.
Management Skills
Essential
- Must be able to prioritise own work effectively and be able to direct activities of others. Experience of managing and motivating a team and reviewing performance of the individuals.
- Budget Holder
Autonomy
Essential
- Must be able to use initiative to decide relevant actions and make recommendations to Sponsor/ Manager, with the aim of improving deliverables and compliance to policies.
- Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues, working to tight and often changing timescales.
- Experience of identifying and interpreting National policy. Experience of researching best practice (globally, private and public sector), interpreting its relevance and processes/ practices which could be implemented successfully to achieve system reform (advising on policy implementation)
Physical Skills
Essential
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office with intermediate keyboard skills.
Equality and Diversity
Essential
- Needs to have a thorough understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems.
Other
Essential
- Used to working in a busy environment / Operating in a highly political and sensitive environment.
- Adaptability, flexibility and ability to cope with uncertainty and change
- Willing to engage with and learn from peers, other professionals and colleagues in the desire to provide or support the most appropriate interventions.
- Professional calm and efficient manner.
- Effective organiser, influencer and networker
- Demonstrates a strong desire to improve performance and make a difference by focusing on goals.
- Completer/Finisher
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board
Address
Bristol, Gloucester and hybrid working
Floor 2, North Wing, 100 Temple Street
Bristol Gloucester
BS1 6AG
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://bnssg.icb.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)