Deputy Designated Clinical Officer SEND - Band 8a

NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board

This job is now closed

Job summary

We are excited to advertise for the role of Deputy Designated Clinical Officer (DDCO) for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to join a dynamic and ambitious team at the ICB. Our team are responsible for working with education, health and care professionals and services to give children and young people a positive experience of health services.

Children and Young People with SEND do not consistently achieve similar outcomes to their peers. Access to services can be challenging, and it can take too long to identify their needs. Mid and South Essex should be a place where all children and young people can be supported in a timely and effective way.

This is an expansive portfolio working with a diverse group of agencies and stakeholders, including children, young people and their families. To support delivery of our statutory functions, we are building capacity in our team and seek applications from motivated, enthusiastic and experienced clinical leaders (qualified nurses or allied health professionals). Supporting the Designated Clinical Officer (DCO) for SEND in Mid & South Essex and working collaboratively across three Local Area Partnerships with Essex County Council, Southend City Council and Thurrock Council, your role will be essential to improving outcomes for children with SEND.

Main duties of the job

The DDCO will undertake delegated projects relating to national and regional guidance and recommendations for children and young people with SEND.

Working with the DCO and alongside the children's commissioning team you will;

Identify opportunities for improving service delivery and governance arrangements for children and young people with SEND.

Support the DCO to hold the ICB to account for delivery of its statutory SEND functions

Act as a critical friend for health teams to help them meet their duties for SEND

Identify and address gaps in knowledge and understanding in the education, health and care system

Quality assure the health components of Education Helath and Care Plans when required

Maintain oversight of performance of health services to meet statutory timescales in issuing advice for Education Health and Care plans

You will be confident to work across organisational boundaries and experienced in developing strong relationships with key stakeholders. You will have a strong understanding of the lived experiences of families in Mid and South Essex.

We welcome applications from individuals with experience of strategic delivery, strong organisational and communication skills and a passion for improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

Hybrid Working.

Provisional interview date - 28 November 2024

About us

Mid and South Essex ICB is a statutory organisation responsible for the planning and delivery of local health and care services, across Mid and South Essex and is part of the wider integrated care system. Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) are partnerships of health and care organisations that come together to plan and deliver joined up services and to improve the health of people who live and work in their area. The headquarters for the organisation is Phoenix Court, Basildon, but there is a hybrid model of working, which includes working across Mid and South Essex and home working.

We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know through experience that the different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better patient outcomes. We welcome applications regardless of peoples age, disability, sex, gender, identity and gender expression, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, religion or belief. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustment for people who have a disability. We would also encourage applicants to raise any personal circumstances they would like us to be aware of so that we can consider possible adjustments.

Unfortunately, the organisation does not have a Sponsorship licence.

Date posted

24 October 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£53,755 to £60,504 a year plus, fringe London allowance

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

D9708-MSE416

Job locations

Phoenix House

Christopher Martin Road

Basildon

Essex

SS14 3HG

Job description

Job responsibilities

ROLE PURPOSE / SUMMARY

The Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System will comprise the Integrated Care Board (ICB), which is the statutory body for the NHS, and the Integrated Care Partnership (ICP), which is a committee of the ICB, and brings together key health, care, community and voluntary sector organisations across the area.

The ICS has a bold ambition to deliver improved outcomes for our 1.2m population through our four Alliances, and we are placing clinical and professional leadership and the voice of our residents at the heart of realizing this ambition.

Working as part of the Babies, Children and Young People commissioning and Tranformation team, the post holder will support and deputise to the Designated Clinical Officer (DCO) to ensure that their work streams and programmes are planned and managed effectively and take the lead in assisting in their successful delivery.

The DDCO will be required to work collaboratively across 3 joint areas with Essex County Council, Southend City Council and Thurrock Council. Through working in partnership, the DDCO SEND will support the DCO to ensure services are aligned to provider efficient and effective support for children and young people with SEND.

The DDCO role will ensure and promote approaches where children and families views actively shape service and care provision; forming effective relationships with the 3 Parent Carer Forums and wider stakeholder groups.

COMPETENCY BASED KEY DELIVERABLES

Specific responsibilities and duties

Undertake delegated individual pieces of project work related to national and regional guidance and recommendations for children and young people with SEND. Ensure these are disseminated across the commissioning team, providers, and other appropriate organisations.
Work with the DCO and the childrens commissioning team on the development of improvements and governance arrangement for children and young people with SEND.
Work with the DCO to provide assurance that current and future providers of the services are compliant with their statutory duties with SEND.

To work with the respective local authorities (Essex, Southend, and Thurrock) and key health organisations to ensure that all health services are reflected in the SEND Local Offer and that health providers are cooperating with the local authorities in its development and review.
To work in partnership with CYP, their families and carers to identify current and future needs to inform joint commissioning. To ensure that the voice of children and young people and their families are at the heart of all we do.
To deputise for the DCO in the oversight of the Education Health and Care (EHC) process for Mid and South Essex ICB.
Work closely with all partner organisations across Mid and South Essex to ensure delivery of the SEND agenda.
Deputise to the DCO on the authority to make decisions on behalf of the ICB in relation to the content of EHC Plans
Deputise to the DCO to sign off EHC Plans on behalf of Mid and South Essex ICB.
Provide quality assurance in relation to the health content of EHC Plans, including quality assuring the reports from all healthcare providers, i.e., community, acute and mental health trust.
Develop and provide in depth and specialist training to NHS and other stakeholders to ensure they are undertaking their duties and responsibilities for children, young people, and their families with SEND in line with the Childrens Act 2014.
To support the skills, knowledge, and development of the workforce in the SEND system, this will include the delivery of face to face or virtual training sessions and facilitating workshops.
Research and identify areas for improvement across the system and work with senior clinical team managers of providers to agree a plan of action to bring about improvement and change.
Work with CYP and their families and stakeholders on EHC Plan tribunals regarding the health element of the plan.
Work with the DCO to identify and take the appropriate actions across the system on key risks and issues across the commissioned services for CYP with SEND 0-25.
To contribute to the policy and service development of local systems and ensuring that the ICB is meeting their statutory duties for CYP with SEND aged 0-25 years.
Support the coordination and alignment of EHC needs assessments with other key health assessments and reviews such as Continuing Care (CC) and Looked after Childrens (LAC) health assessment/reviews.
To work with key stakeholders to support children with medical conditions accessing their education safely.
To provide specialist health advice with respect to CYP with SEND 0-25 years in partnership with children, young people, their parents, health education and social care teams and other agencies such as independent information, advice and support services.
To contribute towards the gathering and analysing of data to influence commissioning decisions and reviewing future trends.
To ensure good partnership working, coordination and transition to all adult services including health for children and young people with an EHC Plan.
To operate in a highly political and sensitive environment.
Ability to deal with difficult and challenging circumstances which may lead to potentially antagonistic situations.
To be able to manage complex situations that may result in conflict.
To provide support and assurance to Essex, Southend and Thurrock SEND boards, ICBs governing bodies and National SEND joint Ofsted and CQC area inspections.
Present information and issues, explaining highly complex issues, to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

Key working relationships

The post holder will be required to maintain constructive relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.
BCYP commissioning team across Mid and South Essex ICB.
BCYP quality representatives across Mid and South Essex ICB.
Mid and South Essex Health provider organisations who provide services from 0-25 years.
Essex, Southend and Thurrock Local Authorities, both education (inclusion services) and social care (Children with Disabilities, transition and adult learning disability (LD) teams).
All Age NHS Continuing Care Team.
Southend, Essex & Thurrock Parent Carer Forums.
Children and young peoples engagement groups.
Communication and engagement teams.
Designated Safeguarding Children & Adults teams.
Designated Looked After Children Teams.
Local early years service leads.
Local Education and college providers.

SEND local offer leads with Essex County Council (ECC) and Southend City and Thurrock Council.
SEND Independent Information Advice and Support Services for Southend, Essex & Thurrock.

Financial and Physical Resources

To be aware/conversant with all financial and budgetary issues relating to EHC Plans.
Responsibility for checking key health provision outlined in EHC plans and any financial risks to the ICB.
Responsibility for the monitoring and ordering of training resources.

Corporate Responsibilities

To represent the ICB as required at external meetings and functions and to act as an ambassador for the organisation.
To ensure compliance with safe systems of work and that all necessary health and safety requirements are met.
To ensure patient/staff confidentiality and information governance standards are maintained and respected at all times.
To conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the visions, values and approach to patient and public engagement within Mid and South Essex ICB.

Research and Development

Plan, develop and evaluate methods and processes for gathering, analysing, interpreting and presenting data and information.
Deliver projects to comply with key performance indicators.
Co-ordinating Research & Development initiatives, delegating as appropriate.

Personal Performance

Continue to develop a clear understanding of the NHS service provider environment and current emerging SEND health issues.
Keep abreast of emerging themes and trends in relation to the effective evaluation of change initiatives
Deliver fully on agreed annual objectives
Proactively investigate development opportunities in line with an agreed personal development plan.
Ensure completion of all mandatory training requirements
Work to achieve agreed objectives with freedom to do this in your own way working within broad professional policies; act without reference to manager; act as specialist in your area of responsibility and accountability.

Effort and Environment

The role requires high levels of concentration for prolonged periods of time.
Frequent requirement to work within highly distressing situations e.g. children and young people with complex needs, some high level of risk either medically or emotionally as well as dealing with Tribunal and court of appeals relating to health areas in the EHCP.
Ability to travel for work to places that may not be accessible by public transport.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the directorate and the organisation.

Job description

Job responsibilities

ROLE PURPOSE / SUMMARY

COMPETENCY BASED KEY DELIVERABLES

Specific responsibilities and duties

Undertake delegated individual pieces of project work related to national and regional guidance and recommendations for children and young people with SEND. Ensure these are disseminated across the commissioning team, providers, and other appropriate organisations.
Work with the DCO and the childrens commissioning team on the development of improvements and governance arrangement for children and young people with SEND.
Work with the DCO to provide assurance that current and future providers of the services are compliant with their statutory duties with SEND.

To work with the respective local authorities (Essex, Southend, and Thurrock) and key health organisations to ensure that all health services are reflected in the SEND Local Offer and that health providers are cooperating with the local authorities in its development and review.
To work in partnership with CYP, their families and carers to identify current and future needs to inform joint commissioning. To ensure that the voice of children and young people and their families are at the heart of all we do.
To deputise for the DCO in the oversight of the Education Health and Care (EHC) process for Mid and South Essex ICB.
Work closely with all partner organisations across Mid and South Essex to ensure delivery of the SEND agenda.
Deputise to the DCO on the authority to make decisions on behalf of the ICB in relation to the content of EHC Plans
Deputise to the DCO to sign off EHC Plans on behalf of Mid and South Essex ICB.
Provide quality assurance in relation to the health content of EHC Plans, including quality assuring the reports from all healthcare providers, i.e., community, acute and mental health trust.
Develop and provide in depth and specialist training to NHS and other stakeholders to ensure they are undertaking their duties and responsibilities for children, young people, and their families with SEND in line with the Childrens Act 2014.
To support the skills, knowledge, and development of the workforce in the SEND system, this will include the delivery of face to face or virtual training sessions and facilitating workshops.
Research and identify areas for improvement across the system and work with senior clinical team managers of providers to agree a plan of action to bring about improvement and change.
Work with CYP and their families and stakeholders on EHC Plan tribunals regarding the health element of the plan.
Work with the DCO to identify and take the appropriate actions across the system on key risks and issues across the commissioned services for CYP with SEND 0-25.
To contribute to the policy and service development of local systems and ensuring that the ICB is meeting their statutory duties for CYP with SEND aged 0-25 years.
Support the coordination and alignment of EHC needs assessments with other key health assessments and reviews such as Continuing Care (CC) and Looked after Childrens (LAC) health assessment/reviews.
To work with key stakeholders to support children with medical conditions accessing their education safely.
To provide specialist health advice with respect to CYP with SEND 0-25 years in partnership with children, young people, their parents, health education and social care teams and other agencies such as independent information, advice and support services.
To contribute towards the gathering and analysing of data to influence commissioning decisions and reviewing future trends.
To ensure good partnership working, coordination and transition to all adult services including health for children and young people with an EHC Plan.
To operate in a highly political and sensitive environment.
Ability to deal with difficult and challenging circumstances which may lead to potentially antagonistic situations.
To be able to manage complex situations that may result in conflict.
To provide support and assurance to Essex, Southend and Thurrock SEND boards, ICBs governing bodies and National SEND joint Ofsted and CQC area inspections.
Present information and issues, explaining highly complex issues, to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

Key working relationships

The post holder will be required to maintain constructive relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.
BCYP commissioning team across Mid and South Essex ICB.
BCYP quality representatives across Mid and South Essex ICB.
Mid and South Essex Health provider organisations who provide services from 0-25 years.
Essex, Southend and Thurrock Local Authorities, both education (inclusion services) and social care (Children with Disabilities, transition and adult learning disability (LD) teams).
All Age NHS Continuing Care Team.
Southend, Essex & Thurrock Parent Carer Forums.
Children and young peoples engagement groups.
Communication and engagement teams.
Designated Safeguarding Children & Adults teams.
Designated Looked After Children Teams.
Local early years service leads.
Local Education and college providers.

SEND local offer leads with Essex County Council (ECC) and Southend City and Thurrock Council.
SEND Independent Information Advice and Support Services for Southend, Essex & Thurrock.

Financial and Physical Resources

To be aware/conversant with all financial and budgetary issues relating to EHC Plans.
Responsibility for checking key health provision outlined in EHC plans and any financial risks to the ICB.
Responsibility for the monitoring and ordering of training resources.

Corporate Responsibilities

To represent the ICB as required at external meetings and functions and to act as an ambassador for the organisation.
To ensure compliance with safe systems of work and that all necessary health and safety requirements are met.
To ensure patient/staff confidentiality and information governance standards are maintained and respected at all times.
To conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the visions, values and approach to patient and public engagement within Mid and South Essex ICB.

Research and Development

Plan, develop and evaluate methods and processes for gathering, analysing, interpreting and presenting data and information.
Deliver projects to comply with key performance indicators.
Co-ordinating Research & Development initiatives, delegating as appropriate.

Personal Performance

Continue to develop a clear understanding of the NHS service provider environment and current emerging SEND health issues.
Keep abreast of emerging themes and trends in relation to the effective evaluation of change initiatives
Deliver fully on agreed annual objectives
Proactively investigate development opportunities in line with an agreed personal development plan.
Ensure completion of all mandatory training requirements
Work to achieve agreed objectives with freedom to do this in your own way working within broad professional policies; act without reference to manager; act as specialist in your area of responsibility and accountability.

Effort and Environment

The role requires high levels of concentration for prolonged periods of time.
Frequent requirement to work within highly distressing situations e.g. children and young people with complex needs, some high level of risk either medically or emotionally as well as dealing with Tribunal and court of appeals relating to health areas in the EHCP.
Ability to travel for work to places that may not be accessible by public transport.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the directorate and the organisation.

Person Specification

Knowledge / understanding

Essential

Extensive knowledge of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities including challenging behaviour, social, emotional, mental health, learning and physical disabilities, medical needs as well as Neurodevelopment Disorders and their impact on children and young peoples health and wellbeing
An in-depth understanding of health care provision and awareness of current NHS policies and priorities
Detailed knowledge of SEND Education Health and Care Plan process and its implementation

Experience

Essential

Substantial experience of working within a senior role in children and young peoples services
Experience and involvement in children and young peoples Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Multi-disciplinary teams
Experience in working in partnership between Health Education and Social Care

Qualifications

Essential

Relevant Masters degree or extensive knowledge, skills and experience to equivalent level.
Extensive knowledge from a variety of specialist subject areas.
Evidence of continuing personal development.
Holds a professional qualification and registration of either Registered Nurse, Speech & Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist or other relevant health professional.
Member of relevant professional body (e.g. NMC, HCPC)

Other

Essential

Used to working in a busy and challenging environment
Adaptability, flexibility, and ability to cope with uncertainty and change
Demonstrates a strong desire to improve performance and make a difference by focusing on goals
Ability to travel to attend meetings and attend for work at several locations, including home, for the purpose of hybrid working.

Partnership Working / Leadership Management

Essential

Must be able to use initiative to decide relevant actions and make recommendations to the sponsor/ manager, with the aim of improving deliverables and compliance to policies
Ability to work in a collaborative way across organisational/sector boundaries to achieve the highest quality outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
Ability to support strategic thinking in discussions by being aware of the bigger picture.

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
Ability to relate to people and all levels of multidisciplinary/multi-agency personnel confidently and efficiently
Ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise
Must be able to prioritise own work effectively and be able to direct activities of others

Person Specification

Knowledge / understanding

Essential

Extensive knowledge of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities including challenging behaviour, social, emotional, mental health, learning and physical disabilities, medical needs as well as Neurodevelopment Disorders and their impact on children and young peoples health and wellbeing
An in-depth understanding of health care provision and awareness of current NHS policies and priorities
Detailed knowledge of SEND Education Health and Care Plan process and its implementation

Experience

Essential

Substantial experience of working within a senior role in children and young peoples services
Experience and involvement in children and young peoples Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Multi-disciplinary teams
Experience in working in partnership between Health Education and Social Care

Qualifications

Essential

Relevant Masters degree or extensive knowledge, skills and experience to equivalent level.
Extensive knowledge from a variety of specialist subject areas.
Evidence of continuing personal development.
Holds a professional qualification and registration of either Registered Nurse, Speech & Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist or other relevant health professional.
Member of relevant professional body (e.g. NMC, HCPC)

Other

Essential

Used to working in a busy and challenging environment
Adaptability, flexibility, and ability to cope with uncertainty and change
Demonstrates a strong desire to improve performance and make a difference by focusing on goals
Ability to travel to attend meetings and attend for work at several locations, including home, for the purpose of hybrid working.

Partnership Working / Leadership Management

Essential

Must be able to use initiative to decide relevant actions and make recommendations to the sponsor/ manager, with the aim of improving deliverables and compliance to policies
Ability to work in a collaborative way across organisational/sector boundaries to achieve the highest quality outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
Ability to support strategic thinking in discussions by being aware of the bigger picture.

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
Ability to relate to people and all levels of multidisciplinary/multi-agency personnel confidently and efficiently
Ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise
Must be able to prioritise own work effectively and be able to direct activities of others

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.