Job overview
We are looking for an experienced and motivated midwife to take on a key leadership role within Bolney Postnatal Ward at UHSx. This is an excellent opportunity for internal staff ready to expand their clinical and managerial responsibilities.
As a Postnatal Ward Lead Midwife, you will provide expert midwifery care across the childbirth continuum while supporting and guiding the multidisciplinary team. You will oversee the day‑to‑day running of the postnatal ward, ensuring safe, efficient and high‑quality care.
As part of the inpatient Leads team, this role includes covering for the Labour Ward and Maternity Assessment Unit Clinical Leads, as well as deputising the Inpatient Maternity Matron when required, contributing to seamless 24/7 service management, effective use of resources, staff supervision, and ongoing quality improvement.
You will also participate in the Manager On‑Call rota, providing senior operational support across PRH and RSCH.
This role is ideal for a confident, compassionate midwife ready to step into a broader leadership position within our maternity services.
Main duties of the job
In this leadership role, you will ensure the delivery of high‑quality, safe and compassionate midwifery care across Bolney Ward. You will lead the day‑to‑day coordination of the ward, support multidisciplinary teamwork, and promote effective communication with women, families and partner agencies.
You will contribute to service improvement by supporting governance activity, participating in risk management and audits, and helping to implement local and national maternity priorities. The role includes involvement in key meetings and participation in the Manager On‑Call rota to support operational management across PRH and RSCH.
As a people leader, you will provide supervision, guidance and line management for midwives and maternity support staff. You will support staff development, oversee training compliance, manage performance concerns, and foster a positive, open team culture.
Clinically, you will act as an expert practitioner—assessing, planning and evaluating care, supporting informed choice, and ensuring safe escalation and referral. You will role‑model best practice and support junior staff in delivering high‑quality care.
You will also take responsibility for your own ongoing professional development, engaging in training, appraisal and reflective practice to maintain and enhance your skills.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Communication
·Establish an effective communication strategy within the integrated team/core and medical teams and associated services e.g. PCT’s, Children’s Trust, Health Visitors, GP’s, Social Services to facilitate cohesive working relationships.
·Communicate with a wide range of professional and non-professional people and organisations in difficult circumstances e.g. Initiate Emergency Protection Orders in child protection cases or relocation to a place of safety in cases of domestic violence.
·Discuss implications of care options with mother/parents to enable her/them to make informed decisions using assertiveness, tact, diplomacy, and compassion.
·Analyse and evaluate evidence when making complex decisions in the clinical situation e.g child protection, substance misuse and psychiatric issues.
·Communicate sensitively.
·Ensure that essential information on the client’s condition and progress is recorded by self and team members appropriately according to NMC guidelines and General Data Protection Rules 2018.
·Encourage others to seek advice and solutions to problems. Encourage solution-based approach.
·Agree the arrangements for communication with the client/family/carer and to document these in accordance with Trust policy and the patient’s right to confidentiality.
·Utilise clinical support systems in accordance with Trust policies and guidelines. Ensure that information on the clients’ condition and progress is documented by self and team members appropriately under the General Data Protection Regulations 2018.
Service delivery and improvement
·Adhere to and evaluate current policies and procedures and identify the impact they have within their clinical environment and midwifery service.
·Identify outcomes of evaluation and offer constructive views on how the service should change as a result.
·Promote the profession of Midwifery.
·Embrace the Local Maternity Neonatal System/ICB/Regional and National agendas and support the delivery of plans.
·Implement and propose changes to policies and practices in the team.
·Implement Clinical Governance initiatives by acting as a change agent and taking a proactive role in the service development.
·Work closely with the Governance lead and be actively involved in clinical risk management issues and investigations including DATIX review.
·Take an active role in achieving CNST standards though the implementation and maintenance of identified initiatives/objectives in the service provision by efficient and effective use of Human resources and material management.
·Attend where applicable meetings and forums eg DATIX, PMRT, labour ward forum, perinatal meetings, and other relevant meetings.
·The post holder will be required to participate in the duties of Manager on- call, involving rostered on-call shifts to support the operational management of PRH and RSCH over a 24-hour period.
People management and development
·Assess, identify, and evaluate own knowledge and practice needs in relation to knowledge and skills required to meet the demand of the role.
·Understand the team member's role and scope of practice. Identify development needs and take responsibility for their continuing professional development and performance.
·Make effective use of appropriate learning opportunities for others.
·Act as a role model and support professional development of all students and junior staff.
·Exercise effective managerial and clinical leadership of the team.
·Support the implementation of induction programmes, preceptorship, and PMA input.
·Responsible for day-to-day line management of band 5/6 midwives and maternity care assistants.
·Responsible for day-to-day supervision, allocation and co-ordination of clinically based teams ensuring adequate cover and skill mix for the 24/7 period.
·Ensure integrated team members attend statutory and mandatory training days.
·Lead in the appraisal process ensuring that personal development plans are consistent with the team and service objectives.
·Communicate clearly with team members and provide them with the opportunities to contribute to the planning and organisation of work.
·Identify, report, and address poor performance issues. Escalate to Matrons where necessary.
·Alert Matrons to resource issues which affect learning development and performance.
·Diffuse challenging behaviour, ensuring that situations are managed in a sensitive way. Escalate to Matrons/HR and document in staff files if needed.
·Deal personally with clients, families, and carers in order to aid resolution of complaints.
·Participate in recruitment and retention.
·Implement disciplinary and grievance procedures if required.
·Monitor and manage sickness and absence of staff within the team.
·Hold regular team meetings which are facilitated in an open and honest manner.
·Manage allocation of annual leave in conjunction with Rota Coordinator
Patient care delivery
·As team leader, take overall responsibility for the development and implementation of clinical care packages by team members for mothers and babies.
·Take full responsibility for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating Midwifery care consistent with evidence-based practice for mothers, babies, and families.
·Discuss options and support parents in making informed choice in their plan of care e.g. Birth plan, pain relief, infant feeding, baby care, return to work and family planning.
·Discuss options and support parents in making informed choice in the period following birth.
·Analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of such care, making necessary modifications of any midwifery care pathway and give professional advice and support as required.
·Act as the clients advocate and empower them to promote their own health and wellbeing.
·Respect the need for privacy and dignity and obtaining clients informed consent throughout the childbirth continuum.
·Refer clients to other practitioners e.g. obstetrician, physiotherapist, paediatrician when needs and risks are beyond the post holders’ scope of practice or require specialist input.
·Support band 5/6 midwives, Maternity Care Assistants, and colleagues to do all of the above
Learning and development
·Attend mandatory training updates as required.
·Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process.
·Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
·Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager
·Participate in the Trust’s appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.
Person specification
Essential
Essential criteria
1. Band 6/7 midwife
2. Substantial Post Registration Practice and relevant competencies
3. 997/8 Mentorship Module or Practice Assessor (SSSA)
4. Positive Leadership Approach
5. Commitment to quality initiatives
Desirable criteria
6. Management/Leadership Qualification or working towards
7. Current UK Driving License
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
8. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
9. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications