Infant Feeding Support Worker

Job Summary

Here is an exciting opportunity for you to work with us as an Infant Feeding Support Worker.

You will be a key member of the multidisciplinary team; with your specialist knowledge, you 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. The Infant Feeding Support Worker 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 their care needs in relation to infant feeding and building a relationship with their new baby by undertaking audits. 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 interests you, apply now.

Main duties of the job

Having undertaken and successfully completed the agreed training requirements:

1. To support families with breastfeeding on the inpatient wards as well as in the community in line with the Unicef BFI Standards.
2. Manage your own workload to prioritize mothers and babies with the highest need.
3. 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:

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

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

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

About us

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, 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. Experience is important, but so is outlook - if you are dynamic, forward-thinking, and enthusiastic, we want you to join us. We offer a good working environment with flexible working opportunities, as well as the opportunity to develop your career with access to appropriate training for your job and the support to succeed and progress.

Date posted

11 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 a year Per Annum (Pro Rata for Part Time)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

390-WAC-BR-7250

Job locations

Broomfield

Chelmsford

CM17ET

Job Description

Job responsibilities

1. Behave in a professional manner and ensure effective communication with colleagues, women, and their families, being respectful of feeding choices and sensitive towards challenging circumstances.
2. Work 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.
3. Carry out feeding assessments on women and babies if there are concerns, carry out clinical observations, and report all findings to the registered midwife, escalating any concerns in a timely manner.
4. Act to ensure the BFI Standards are upheld and work within the code for the marketing of breastmilk substitutes.
5. Participate in the collection and recording of written and electronic data, in line with Trust guidelines and policies.
6. Converse with families about external services available, including signposting for further support.
7. Act as an advocate for the department, promoting respectful and flexible team working across areas.
8. Proactively, consistently, and meaningfully demonstrate the Trust values in day-to-day interactions with colleagues and service users.

Person Specification

GCSEs

Essential

1. Minimum of 3 at C and above - must include maths and English.

Desirable

1. Infant Feeding training - formal qualification.
2. Infant Feeding training - experience only.

Driving licence

Essential

1. Valid UK Driving License.
2. Access to own car.

Work experience

Desirable

1. Worked as MSW.
2. Worked in healthcare.
3. Worked in other relevant fields.

Baby friendly standards

Essential

1. Shown evidence of BFI standards.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Broomfield

Chelmsford

CM17ET

Employer's website

https://www.mse.nhs.uk