Designated Health Officer - SEND

Essential

• Have substantial clinical experience as professional in the field of SEND or other related areas of care.
• Ability to coordinate complex assessments using a person-centred planning approach ensuring clear outcomes are identified for children and young people.
• Have good negotiating and leadership skills - negotiate on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change.
• Able to demonstrate an understanding of professional issues, their relevance and application across all health care interfaces.
• Knowledge and experience of developing needs-based services specific to SEND.
• Evidence of ongoing personal clinical supervision.
• Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development.

Essential

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the Children and Families Act 2014, Care Act 2014, continuing care frameworks and SEND Code of Practice 0-25 (2014).
• Knowledge and skill to write, update and implement SEN policies, practice guidance.
• Knowledge and understanding of the main issues affecting outcomes for children, young people, and families, particularly children and young people with SEND.
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of childrens services at both a local and national level.
• Knowledge and understanding of key issues affecting health services/modernisation/local commissioning agendas including national policy on reforms in the NHS.
• Clear and precise presentation, reporting and teaching skills in both informal and formal settings with focused aims and outcomes.
• Ability to develop and provide education, training, and supervision as appropriate to the role.
• Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands.
• Ability to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of options.
• Able to makes decisions on difficult and contentious issues where there may be several courses of action.
• Ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise.
• Demonstrated capability to plan short, medium, and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly.
• Must be able to use initiative to decide relevant actions and make recommendations to supervisor and stakeholders.
• 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 and interpreting its relevance.
• Competent in use of Microsoft Programmes, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.
• Ability to challenge poor practice and support individuals to improve.
• Ability to motivate colleagues/peers leading through example.
• Ability to work effectively within a team.

Essential

• Educated to Degree level or equivalent level of clinical experience, working at a senior level which includes SEND as a specialist area.
• Masters level degree in related subject or equivalent experience.
• Professional qualification as a health professional (occupational therapist, speech & language therapist, physiotherapist, or registered nurse), with experience in working with children and young people/SEND.
• Evidence of partnership/cross organisational working to promote clinical excellence.

Essential

• Demonstrable high level of personal professional autonomy and accountability.
• Adhere to the core principles of the professional code of conduct, demonstrating respect and dignity and be open and honest, acting with integrity, upholding the reputation of your profession.
• Excellent inter-personal and communication skills with the ability to build personal and professional credibility at all levels of the organisation as well as with external partners.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to encourage facilitation, diplomacy, and negotiation.