Designated Clinical Officer for SEND | NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board; Warrington; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare authority is seeking a Designated Clinical Officer to support and implement the SEND agenda in Warrington. This role requires a comprehensive understanding of SEND regulations and involves liaising with local partners to ensure children and young people with special educational needs receive appropriate health services. The position offers an opportunity to influence the healthcare system and shape outcomes for children and families in the area.

Qualifications

• In-depth understanding of the Children and Families Act and SEND Code of Practice.
• Experience working with local authorities and health services.
• Ability to convey complex information to various stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Act as the key contact for local partners in relation to SEND.
• Ensure children's health needs are assessed and services accessed.
• Develop relationships to promote effective SEND implementation.
• Lead and manage the SEND program within the locality.

Skills

Communication skills

Relationship building

Knowledge of SEND regulations

Leadership and management

Job description

The Designated Clinical Officer will act as the key source of knowledge and experience for a wide range of clinical colleagues and key stakeholders working to implement the SEND agenda. The post holder will therefore require an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the Children and Families Act, SEND Code of Practice and statutory requirements of the health system.

The SEND Code of Practice for children and young people (CYP) with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) 0‑25 years indicates that partners should ensure there is a Designated Medical Officer (DMO) or Designated Clinical Officer (DCO) to support the ICB at place in meeting its statutory responsibilities for children and young people with SEN and disabilities. There are discussions at a national level about making this post a statutory requirement.

The post will primarily be a key point of contact and advice for local partners (e.g. Local Authority, Education, Social Care), professionals, parents and young people who have SEN and/or a disability. Ultimately the aim of the post is to help ensure that children and young people with SEND have their health needs assessed and that they can access appropriate services to meet their health needs.

A national handbook for Designated Clinical Officers for SEND developed by the Council for Disabled Children exists and the post holder will be expected to deliver the role as outlined in the handbook.

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside is responsible for planning NHS services for our population, which includes the care you receive at your GP practice, local pharmacy, NHS dentist, NHS opticians, or at hospital. We serve a population of over 2.7m people across Cheshire East, Cheshire West, Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, Warrington, and Wirral. We value and promote diversity and are committed to equality of opportunity for all. This is a significant, high‑profile role within the ICB which offers a unique opportunity to shape the speaking up culture within our organisation and across Cheshire and Merseyside healthcare system.

To use a wide range of communication skills to convey complex and highly contentious information to a variety of stakeholders, including children, young people and their families and carers. To develop a range of effective relationships and partnerships with stakeholders to support implementation of the SEND Code of Practice, ensuring involvement of key groups and individuals, making sure that they influence and own the outcomes. To represent the ICB at Place by providing clinical advice to key planning groups in relation to SEND. To develop strong coproduction and engagement across the locality and work in partnership with all stakeholders to design, develop and implement priorities in relation to SEND. To develop close working relationships with colleagues within the ICB at Place, across the locality and Cheshire and Merseyside Footprint, ensuring effective leadership and management of the SEND programme. To operate in a political and sensitive environment both locally and across Cheshire and Merseyside. To ensure the involvement of key stakeholders, particularly children, young people and families in the service redesign process and ensure this takes place in a creative and proactive manner and ensure they influence and own the outcomes. To act as a point of contact in the health system for enquires relating to the EHCP process and provide advice regarding alternative solutions as appropriate. To ensure excellent partnership working and co‑ordination to ensure effective transition to adult health services (including health) for children and young people with SEND. To provide support and challenge to senior medical colleagues such as pediatricians and GPs.

For full details please refer to the job description and person specification attached.

This advert closes on Friday 5 Dec 2025.