The role of the DSCO

The role of the DSCO

The role of the Designated Social Care Officer  was developed by the Council for Disabled Children (CDC) working in partnership, as a Strategic Reform Partner, with the Department for Education (DfE). Since 2014 and the implementation of the Children and Families Act, the CDC began exploring the role of Social Care across the SEND system.

Different Local Authorities (LA’s) both in the West Yorkshire area, and nationally, have developed the role of the DSCO in their own way according to local needs and priorities. The role and function of the DSCO looks different in each authority.

However, there are core values and common aims, for example, the DSCO works to improve practices, identify gaps in practice, develop new ways of working and develop new pathways to improve outcomes for children and young people.

A key function is to create and maintain good working relationships across social care, health and SEN yet at the same time constructively challenging the status quo where challenge is needed, to bring about positive change and better outcomes, for children, young people, and their families.

The DSCO role seeks to improve knowledge and understanding of SEND across all areas of Social Care and improve knowledge and understanding of Social Care across the SEND system, with the overall aim of bringing Social Care and SEND systems together and working effectively.

The DSCO team in Bradford

Mark joined Bradford as the Designated Social Care Officer (DSCO) in March 2024. He is a Social Worker by profession and until March 2024 worked in children’s safeguarding. The DSCO is based in the SEND Service however, the DSCO team works very closely on a daily basis with colleagues in social care, both adults and children’s.

The Social Care Assessors work with the DSCO to the same brief and work on the same priorities. The Social Care Assessors  are: Lisa Kirk, Zak Billmoria, Charlotte Price and Erin Paul.

The role of the DSCO in Bradford is both operational and strategic and a key part of the DSCO’s role is identifying opportunities to improve or innovate services and improve practices, approaches and processes. Mark and the team are committed to creating and maintaining professional networks, working alongside and co-producing with partner agencies, children, young people and their families.

The aim is always the same, to improve services and provision for the benefit of children and young people with SEND. To support children with SEND to achieve their aspirations, to have the opportunity to reach their potential and to have better outcomes.