Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and person to join the Infant Feeding Team within Maternity at Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
The post holder will support the inpatient infant feeding lead and play an integral part in supporting our current team as well as volunteers within the inpatient areas. The Infant Feeding Support Worker (IFSW) will be able to demonstrate effective interpersonal skills, robust record keeping and joint planning of care. As part of the infant feeding team, the post holder will be supported to provide clinical supervision by a named, experienced clinician consisting of day-to-day support and for issues arising when infant feeding volunteers are based on the ward or when they are working alongside in-service HHFT professionals.
Main duties of the job
They will work as part of a team to ensure a holistic, patient focused service that supports and promotes breastfeeding and safe formula feeding practices in line with UNICEF's Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI), consisting of infant feeding in-service support and community-based infant feeding support. Infant feeding peer support will be provided within 48 hours on the ward and followed up in the home and in community settings.
The post-holder will also be expected to support the infant feeding Programme Leads with the implementation of UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative and maintain Baby Friendly Standards at the Homerton Hospital. The post holder will have knowledge of the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative to ensure that community standards are sustained and embedded across maternity services. The Infant Feeding Support Worker will assist the Infant Feeding Team to achieve full accreditation of BFI.
The role of the Infant Feeding Support Worker is pivotal in facilitating health promotion groups for families to support breast feeding and infant feeding, referring, and signposting to appropriate services. The post holder will have knowledge, skills and experience in infant feeding support and will work in close collaboration with the maternity, neonatal and health visiting services to ensure a seamless delivery of care across the infant feeding service, providing continuity of care to the families.
About us
Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a high performing and flourishing organisation serving the population of Hackney, East London, The City and beyond.
We are extremely proud of the fact that Homerton Hospital has recently attained the highest possible rating of "Outstanding" from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Our integrated Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community health services for its local population and a range of specialist services for a wider group of patients. In addition, the Trust manages services out of St Leonard's Hospital and the Mary Seacole Nursing Home.
Homerton aims to ensure equality and value diversity, and we are committed to inclusion for all of our staff. This is reflected in our policies, procedures and People Plan. All of our staff are expected to embody our Trust values at all times.
We are also committed, through our Fair Recruitment Standards, to ensuring all applicants are treated fairly.
Homerton has a proud tradition of supporting and developing its staff, including its well regarded and valued nursing community, and all staff are able to take advantage of a great range of benefits.
Homerton is proud to have been included on the HSJ & Nursing Times Best Places to Work list.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s on this page.
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s on this page.
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE Maths and English or equivalent at A*-C grade.
- Good spoken and written English
- Evidence of continuing education and development
Desirable
- Recognised qualification in Breastfeeding Support, e.g. Breastfeeding Network Supporter, NCT Counsellor, IBCLC or working towards
- Helpers/ Supporters Course
Skills/ Abilities
Essential
- Ability to exercise own initiative and lead and develop a team, drawing on strengths and weaknesses.
- Ability to relate appropriately and sensitively to others.
- Excellent and effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Good interpersonal skills and conflict resolution.
- Sound leadership skills and can demonstrate examples of this.
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
- Ability to manage conflict effectively
Desirable
- Effective I.T. skills with database programs
- Proficient word processing skills and use of Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.)
Experience
Essential
- Experience across both inpatient and outpatient settings of working with maternity service users.
- Experience of working or volunteering, paid or unpaid supporting parents with feeding their babies either in a hospital, home or community centre.
Desirable
- Experience of participating in quality improvement initiatives
- Previously held post as MSW or HCA
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge/understanding of confidentiality issues
- Full appreciation of safeguarding and mental health requirements.
- Understanding of cultural diversity
- Articulate & knowledgeable regarding a range of feeding methods, issues and resolutions.
- Knowledge of current best practice in infant feeding and the UNICEF BFI guidance for health professionals as well as parents
Desirable
- Knowledge of local social and health care services
Trust Values, Equal Opportunities & Other Requirements
Essential
- Commitment and adherence to the Equality Act
- Understanding of the Trust values
- Flexible and adaptable approach to work
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE Maths and English or equivalent at A*-C grade.
- Good spoken and written English
- Evidence of continuing education and development
Desirable
- Recognised qualification in Breastfeeding Support, e.g. Breastfeeding Network Supporter, NCT Counsellor, IBCLC or working towards
- Helpers/ Supporters Course
Skills/ Abilities
Essential
- Ability to exercise own initiative and lead and develop a team, drawing on strengths and weaknesses.
- Ability to relate appropriately and sensitively to others.
- Excellent and effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Good interpersonal skills and conflict resolution.
- Sound leadership skills and can demonstrate examples of this.
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
- Ability to manage conflict effectively
Desirable
- Effective I.T. skills with database programs
- Proficient word processing skills and use of Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.)
Experience
Essential
- Experience across both inpatient and outpatient settings of working with maternity service users.
- Experience of working or volunteering, paid or unpaid supporting parents with feeding their babies either in a hospital, home or community centre.
Desirable
- Experience of participating in quality improvement initiatives
- Previously held post as MSW or HCA
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge/understanding of confidentiality issues
- Full appreciation of safeguarding and mental health requirements.
- Understanding of cultural diversity
- Articulate & knowledgeable regarding a range of feeding methods, issues and resolutions.
- Knowledge of current best practice in infant feeding and the UNICEF BFI guidance for health professionals as well as parents
Desirable
- Knowledge of local social and health care services
Trust Values, Equal Opportunities & Other Requirements
Essential
- Commitment and adherence to the Equality Act
- Understanding of the Trust values
- Flexible and adaptable approach to work
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
