Designated Medical Officer (DMO) and Designated Clinical Officer (DCO)

The Designated Medical Officer (DMO) is a community paediatrician and Designated Clinical Officer (DCO) is an experienced paediatric therapist who both has a dedicated role in providing a link between the Local Authority and Health services for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

Both roles have substantial relevant experience and expertise in caring for children and young people with additional needs and providing advice to education in this regard.  They have a key role is supporting the North Central London Integrated Care System (NCL) to meet its statutory responsibilities for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and agreeing the relevant health services within an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan.

The DMO / DCO oversees the processes for Health information being shared with Education for the purposes of EHCP needs assessments; they offer advice and support to clinicians writing reports for this purpose, and are a member of the EHC Management Board at the Local Authority. They act as a point of contact for others involved in the care of children and young people with additional needs on matters related to health and education, for example, local authorities, schools, colleges, voluntary services.

The DMO / DCO is involved in working with Health services and the Local Authority on delivery of the standards set out in the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice 2014, and is dedicated to shaping services that meet the needs of children and their families through feedback from service users.

Designated Medical Officer:

Dr Nicole Horwitz

The Northern Health Centre, 580 Holloway Road, N7 6LB

Tel: 020 3316 1882           

Designated Clinical Officer:

Lesley Platts

The Northern Health Centre, 580 Holloway Road, N7 6LB

Tel: 020 3316 1879