Designated Clinical Officer (DCO)

This page explains the role of the Designated Clinical Officer (DCO), who helps ensure that health services work closely with education and social care to support children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

The Designated Clinical Officer works across Westmorland and Furness on behalf of both the Lancashire and Cumbria Integrated Care Board. 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 Special Educational Needs (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.

Who to contact

Barrow and South Lakes

Elaine Croll
Designated Clinical Officer
Telephone - 01253 959 033
E-mail - lscicb.dcowaf@nhs.net

Eden

Diane Watson and Rachel Slee
diane.watson@nhs.net
rachel.slee@nhs.net