Last updated:
23rd April 2026
How local health leaders support children with SEND
Find out about the NHS Thames Valley Integrated Care Board and the Designated Clinical Officer
Integrated Care Boards
Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) are NHS organisations that plan and oversee health services in a local area.
Our local ICB is the Thames Valley Integrated Care Board.
It covers Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
It brings together the former NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (BOB) and NHS Frimley Integrated Care Boards into a single organisation.
Support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
SEND is a legal priority for the Thames Valley ICB.
A senior leader (Executive Lead) is responsible for making sure the ICB meets its legal duties for children and young people with SEND.
Designated Clinical Officer for SEND
The Thames Valley ICB funds a Designated Clinical Officer (DCO) for Berkshire West.
The DCO works with health services and Wokingham Borough Council to make sure children and young people with SEND get the support they are entitled to, under the Children and Families Act 2014.
The DCO:
- helps health services understand their legal duties for SEND
- supports improvements to local services so they better meet the needs of children and young people with SEND
