Designated Social Care Officer (DSCO)

Overview

In this DSCO role, you lead quality and practice in Wiltshire’s SEND system, coordinating across Children’s and Adult Social Care, Education and Health to ensure timely, lawful support for children and young people with SEND. You’ll influence practice, set guidance, and strengthen decision-making across a multi-agency network. This non-case-holding position emphasizes professional expertise, autonomy, and a focus on improving social care contributions to EHCP processes. You’ll shape standards and contribute to the Local Offer and SEND reform.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality assurance of social care contributions to EHCPs
• Deliver training, workshops and practice development across services
• Provide expert advice on SEND and social care legislation
• Support mediation, tribunal and dispute resolution activity
• Promote Preparing for Adulthood and transition planning
• Develop guidance, resources and practice standards
• Work with education, health, social care and family representatives to improve outcomes for children and young people
• Develop social care aspects of the Local Offer that meet legislative requirements

Key requirements

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England
• Significant post-qualification experience, ideally Level 4 or equivalent
• Strong knowledge of children’s social care and safeguarding
• Excellent communication and influencing skills
• Experience of quality assurance, practice improvement or workforce development
• Confidence to provide professional advice, support and challenge
• Passion for improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND
• Ability to work independently and influence practice without line management responsibility

• excellent communication
• influencing skills
• professional credibility
• quality assurance
• practice development
• workforce development

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