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Job summary

Main area
Maternity
Grade
Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
37.5 hours per week (Days including weekends)
Job ref
390-WAC-BR-7250-B
Employer
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Broomfield
Town
Chelmsford
Salary
£24,937 Per Annum (Pro Rata for Part Time)
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
19/06/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust logo

Infant Feeding Support Worker

Band 3

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is the only acute hospital provider in the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS), which is a system of health and care partners working together for our local population.

Within Mid and South Essex there are 149 GP practices, operating from over 200 sites, forming 27 Primary Care Networks and one Ambulance Trust. There are also three main community and mental health service providers who work together through a community collaborative.

We collaborate with other valuable partners, including three Healthwatch organisations, nine voluntary and community sector organisations and three top tier local authorities, with seven district, borough and city councils, as well as our local universities.

 

Job overview

Here is an exciting opportunity for you to wokr with us a  Infant Feeding Support Worker.

You will be  key member of the multidisciplinary team; with their specialist knowledge they will support midwives in providing an insightful family-centred service based on current evidence and research. 

You will provide evidence-based support for infant feeding, and act as a resource and support for mothers in the initiation, establishment and development (maintenance) of breastfeeding both on the postnatal ward and occasionally in the community. IFSW will support bottle feeding mothers by providing information on safe and responsive formula feeding before discharge from the hospital.

 

The Infant Feeding Support Worker will actively seek the views of women and their families on the understanding of their care needs in relation to infant feeding and building a relationship with their new baby by way of undertaking audit. You will assist the Infant Feeding Team, Registered Midwives and other members of the multidisciplinary team in implementing care plans to support infant feeding. You will also undertake some clerical and domestic duties to ensure a safe environment.

 

If this interest you apply now.

Main duties of the job

Having undertaken and successfully completed the agreed training requirements.

  • To support families with breastfeeding on the inpatient wards as well as in the community in line with the Unicef BFI Standards.
  • Can manage their own workload to prioritise mothers and babies with the highest need.
  •  Promote responsive feeding for breast and bottle feeding families. If a managed approach, discuss a realistic feeding plan with the family, escalate concerns to the Midwife and document the ongoing care plan.

·         To support families with feeding when being readmitted for feeding support or other conditions which poor feeding may have been a contributing factor i.e. weight loss

  • Ensure availability, cleanliness and maintenance of equipment including pump equipment, reading materials and storage of milk products
  • Support infant feeding team with smooth running of tongue tie clinics including booking appointments and triaging referrals.
  • Attending infant feeding drop in clinics if required.

·         Work within national and local guidelines and be aware of infant feeding policies

  • To ensure all clinical areas and resources are compliant with the International Code for the Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes at all times.
  • Following appropriate training to undertake group health promotion to women and families as agreed with ward/departmental managers, in line with national frameworks and initiatives.

Working for our organisation

We work together, and in conjunction with MSE Health and Care Partnership, to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients in a compassionate way, and provide a respectful, but vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.
 
From facilities through to consultant specialists we want to be the best, to achieve this we need to recruit not just those who are the finest in their field but also those who have the potential to be. Yes, experience is important but so is outlook – if you are dynamic, forward-thinking and enthusiastic we want you to join us.
 
We not only offer you a good working environment with flexible working opportunities, but also the opportunity to develop your career with access to appropriate training for your job and the support to succeed and progress. 

 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • Behaves in a professional manner and ensures effective communication with colleagues, women and their families. Being respectful of feeding choices and sensitive towards challenging circumstances
  • Works to promote individualised care plans, specific to the needs of the woman and her family, acting as her advocate within the multidisciplinary team in the absence of the midwife with promotion of individual feeding choices
  • Carry out feeding assessments on women and babies if there are concerns, carry out clinical observations and report all finding to the registered midwife. Escalating any concerns in a timely manner
  • Acts to ensure the BFI Standards are being upheld and working within the code for the marketing of breastmilk substitutes
  • Participates in the collection and recording of written and electronic data, in line with Trust guidelines and policies
  • Is able to converse with families about external services available including signposting for further support
  • Acts as an advocate for the department, in promoting respectful and flexible team working across areas
  • Proactively, consistently and meaningfully demonstrates the Trust values in their day-to-day interactions with colleagues and service users.

For full details refer to the JD attached.

Person specification

GCSEs

Essential criteria
  • Minimum of 3 at C and above - must include maths and English
Desirable criteria
  • Infant Feeding training - formal qualification
  • Infant Feeding training - experience only

Driving licence

Essential criteria
  • Valid UK Driving License
  • Have access to own car

Work experience

Desirable criteria
  • Worked as MSW
  • Worked in health care
  • Worked in other relevant field

Baby friendly standards

Essential criteria
  • Shown evidence of BFI standards

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDNHS Employers Diversity and Inclusion PartnersApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/kickstart-scheme-employer-resources/kickstart-scheme-brand-guidelinesStonewall Silver 2022Disability confident employerNHS Rainbow badgeNHS Pastoral CareNHS 75th Birthday

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Abbie Southern
Job title
Infant Feeding Specialist Midwife
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0300 44345549
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