Overview
Job summary: 3 x permanent, full‑time Designated Clinical Officers (SEND) for Cheshire West & Chester, Wirral and Sefton/St Helens.
Due to promotion and retirement, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board (ICB) have three opportunities to join the ICB as a Designated Clinical Officer. These senior posts will provide leadership and direction on Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) delivery for 0‑25 year‑olds. Taking account of national and local strategy, you will work with Senior Strategic Managers, Heads of Service, stakeholders and partners to support the delivery of SEND and ensure the spread of best practice across all commissioned services.
Within our Merseyside cluster we have two full‑time roles available: one post for Wirral Place and a second post for Sefton Place (0.8 wte) and St Helens Place (0.2 wte). Within our Cheshire cluster we have a full‑time post for Cheshire West and Chester Place. All posts are hybrid and will require a minimum of two days per week on site. Applicants can express an interest in one, two or all three of the posts.
To apply you must be a Registered Nurse or Allied Health Professional with extensive knowledge of SEND. The role offers the opportunity to utilise your existing skills and develop further working across organisational boundaries while championing partnership working.
Main duties
The SEND Code of Practice for children and young people (CYP) with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) 0‑25 years requires a Designated Clinical Officer to support the ICB at place in meeting statutory responsibilities for children and young people with SEN and disability. This post will primarily be a key point of contact and advisor for local partners (e.g. Local Authority, Education, Social Care), professionals, parents and young people who have SEN and/or a disability. The aim is to help ensure that children and young people with SEND have their health needs assessed and can access appropriate services.
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.
About us
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside is responsible for planning NHS services for a population of over 2.7 million 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 that offers a unique opportunity to shape the speaking‑up culture within our organisation and across the Cheshire and Merseyside healthcare system.
Job details
* Date posted: 21 November 2025
* Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
* Band: 8a
* Salary: £55,690 to £62,682 a year
* Contract: Permanent
* Working pattern: Full‑time
* Reference number: 493‑ICB‑7633866
* Location: Cheshire & Merseyside ICB, Warrington, WA1 1QY
Responsibilities
* 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.
* Develop effective relationships and partnerships with stakeholders to support implementation of the SEND Code of Practice, ensuring involvement of key groups and individuals and that they influence and own the outcomes.
* Represent the ICB at place by providing clinical advice to key planning groups in relation to SEND.
* Develop strong co‑production and engagement across the locality and work in partnership with all stakeholders to design, develop and implement priorities in relation to SEND.
* Develop close working relationships with colleagues within the ICB at place, across the locality and the Cheshire and Merseyside Footprint, ensuring effective leadership and management of the SEND programme.
* Operate in a political and sensitive environment both locally and across Cheshire and Merseyside.
* Ensure the involvement of key stakeholders, particularly children, young people and families, in the service redesign process in a creative and proactive manner so that they influence and own the outcomes.
* Act as a point of contact in the health system for enquiries relating to the EHCP process and provide advice regarding alternative solutions as appropriate.
* Ensure excellent partnership working and coordination to ensure effective transition to adult health services for children and young people with SEND.
* Provide support and challenge to senior medical colleagues such as paediatricians and GPs.
Person Specification
Qualifications (Essential)
* Registration with NMC, HCPC and/or other Registered Body.
* Extensive, highly developed knowledge of specialist areas, such as SEND, Learning Disabilities or other specialist areas.
* Post‑graduate diploma or experience to Master’s level equivalent in health.
Knowledge (Essential)
* Must demonstrate understanding and interpretation of the Children and Families Act 2015 and SEND Reforms 2014 and use this knowledge to develop and implement procedures and processes.
* Clear understanding of the issues and challenges facing children and young people with special educational needs and disability.
* Previous professional experience in a senior children’s services operational or commissioning role for children and young people.
Skills (Essential)
* Advanced skills for communicating on complex information and administrative matters to large and influential groups/customers, requiring highly developed interpersonal and oral/written communication skills.
* Advanced skills for communicating and influencing at an appropriate level with a diverse range of stakeholders, including at a senior level.
* Ability to lead the SEND agenda within the ICB.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information, please refer to the UK Visas and Immigration website and relevant guidance on criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website.
Employer details
* Employer name: NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board
* Address: Cheshire & Merseyside ICB, Warrington, WA1 1QY
* Website: https://www.cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk/
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