Job summary
- Main area
- Infant Feeding
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 4
- Contract
- 18 months (18 months - fixed term)
- Hours
- Part time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 252-8153958
- Employer
- Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Darent Valley Hospital
- Town
- Dartford
- Salary
- £29,812 - £32,715 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 26/07/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Senior Infant Feeding Support Worker
NHS AfC: Band 4
Job overview
The postholder will work in the Infant Feeding Team to promote, support and protect breastfeeding and close mother baby relationships for the mothers and birthing parents having their babies within Dartford & Gravesham NHS Trust in line with UNICEF BFI standards.
Please Note:
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already hold the right to work in the UK independently, with a visa or immigration status that allows them to fulfil the full duration and type of contract offered. The Trust is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.
Main duties of the job
To provide care under the guidance and supervision of the Infant Feeding Coordinator. Supporting women in their care during the antenatal and postnatal period. To assist with teaching, administration and non-clinical duties at the discretion of the Infant feeding team.
The Infant Feeding Support Worker is pivotal in facilitating health promotion groups for families to support breast feeding and infant feeding and referring and signposting to appropriate services. The post holder will have knowledge, skills and experience in infant feeding and will work in close collaboration with maternity services to ensure the seamless delivery of care across the infant feeding service, providing continuity of care to the families.
Working for our organisation
We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you’ll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we’ve achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge and have a commitment to the Armed Forces Community.
We are dedicated to using our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach as our shared organisation model of change to enhance our services and ensure excellence in patient care.
If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all our staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 and are vaccinated annually against Flu, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Demonstrate a commitment to best practice in breastfeeding / infant feeding in line with UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative and Trust Guidelines.
Offer specialist support and guidance for mothers to initiate and maintain breastfeeding – in hospital, face-to-face, group settings, or on the phone.
Identify, respond to and evaluate health needs. Focussing on establishing breastfeeding, latch and positioning, skin to skin, hand expressing and prioritising mother-infant bonding.
Play an active role on the maternity wards acting as a resource and champion. Supporting ward MSWs to deepen their learning and improve their skills in lactation support.
Work occasional weekends as part of a 7 day rota
Organise and deliver antenatal and postnatal group workshops on breastfeeding and relationship building
Support the Programme Lead with the implementation of UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative.
Support the Infant Feeding Coordinator with facilitation of staff BFI training courses
Support with staff and patients breastfeeding’ audits, skills reviews and other baby friendly activities as required.
Promote breastfeeding service effectively – identifying opportunities and proactively suggesting ways to connect with patient groups
Contribute recommendations for own work area to enhance policies and improve service delivery.
Participate in audit, quality improvement, research projects and/or innovations following agreed policy and protocol.
Support parents who mix or formula feed with the information they need to feed their babies safely and responsively.
Create individualised feeding plans in collaboration with parents and ward staff and under the supervision of the Infant Feeding Coordinator.
Promote effective communication. Have awareness of barriers to communication. Communicates with the first/preferred language of client. Requires good IT, written and oral skills.
Use organisation skills to help prepare for, as well as participate and support with local and national promotional events (as appropriate) e.g. Place of Birth Showcase, National Breastfeeding Week or World Breastfeeding Week. Be responsible for own workload on the day-to-day basis, under the supervision of the Infant Coordinator
Maintain accurate and appropriate documentation.
Be responsible for own workload on the day-to-day basis, under the supervision of the Infant Coordinator.
Demonstrate awareness of the needs of children and their families from diverse ethnic groups and demonstrate awareness of the Trust Equal Opportunities.
Ensure Health and Safety policies and all relevant Trust and National policies and guidelines are adhered to, including issues relating to the Children Act, Children’s rights and needs.
Have knowledge and understanding of trust guidelines and policies appropriate to the role and demonstrate evidence-based practiced based on these and Baby Friendly standards.
Identify and pursue own educational and professional development including mandatory training
Person specification
Education and Training
Essential criteria
- NVQ Level 3 in Healthcare related subject or equivalent experience Or RCM “maternity support worker course- Preparation to care: Fit for Practice.” Care Certificate or commitment to undertake Good all-round general education including English and Maths Evidence of CPD
Desirable criteria
- IBCLC or working towards qualification
- Other lactation specific qualifications
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
- Awareness of the UNICEF BFI UK Programme
- IT Literate
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Awareness of safeguarding procedures.
- Ability to work with minimum supervision and on own initiative.
- Full UK Driving Licence and transport available for use at work
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of child protection, domestic violence, substance misuse and working with women with special needs.
- Awareness of cleft lip
Experience
Essential criteria
- Previous experience in healthcare setting
- Previous Infant Feeding Support experience
Desirable criteria
- Previous experience of working within a maternity setting
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Sharon Burke
- Job title
- Recruitment & Retention Lead Midwife
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01322428100
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