Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a passionate and dedicated band 6 Midwife to join the Infant Feeding Team at Epsom and St Helier!
Working cross-site, the post holder will promote and support the Trust infant feeding practices, adhering to the blended infant feeding guidelines and wider Trust guidelines related to infant feeding and responsive parenting. The primary responsibility of the post holder is to ensure the complete implementation and maintenance of the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) standards, thereby ensuring the preservation and retention of the Trust BFI Gold Award status.
The post holder will be a recognised specialised professional with advanced knowledge in infant feeding and will serve as a valuable source of information and support for colleagues and parents. The role involves the provision of education and clinical supervision to assist staff in implementing evidence-based approaches to infant feeding and relationship building. It aims to align with the government health promotion agenda and the NHS Long Term Plan vision for the
Baby Friendly Initiative and to maintain the Trust’s BFI Gold status.
Establishing and maintaining a visible presence in the clinical setting is crucial.
Main duties of the job
Infant Feeding Midwife Band 6
1. Ensure that all families receive support and information to allow them to make an informed choice regarding feeding.
2. Engage with colleagues and support them to enhance clinical judgement with infant feeding assessments and breastfeeding observations of service users and babies’ needs and evaluate clinical care as appropriate.
3. Confident in the documentation of feeding plans and management plans in the electronic notes.
4. Act as a role model and demonstrate evidence-based care and practices in relation to infant feeding and relationship building.
5. Interview mothers/parents of infant feeding readmissions (maternal/new born), completing incident reports with feedback to staff with both positive and identified learning development needs.
6. Be familiar with multi-disciplinary guidelines and policies relating to infant feeding and supporting staff to evolve if there are any changes in practice.
7. Undertake interviews for audit, using appropriate BFI audit tools to evaluate infant feeding practices within ESTH maternity services
Working for our organisation
St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey. Our sites include St George’s Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).
After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the attached supporting job description and person specification document which contains more information about the role and requirements. Please ensure your application refers to the job description and person specification.
The recruiting team reserve the right to close this advertisement early once applications reach maximum limit.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
8. Band 6 registered Midwife with UK NMC Pin.
9. Evidence of ongoing professional development and training
10. Mentorship/ SSSA.
Desirable criteria
11. Completion of BFI 2 day Breastfeeding and relationship management course
12. Completion of BFI train the trainer course
13. IBCLC accredited lactation consultant
Experience
Essential criteria
14. Experience working as a Band 6 midwife
15. Demonstrate experience in Infant feeding and UNICEF Baby Friendly Standards
Desirable criteria
16. Experience in support in an infant feeding role
17. Experience in teaching Parent education regarding Infant feeding
18. Demonstrate experience of change management
Skills and Knowledge
Essential criteria
19. Excellent clinical midwifery skills
20. Skilled practitioner in Infant feeding
21. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
22. Willingness to undertake training on appointment for any skills in which not already competent
Desirable criteria
23. Experience using electronic patient record systems (e.g. Badgernet, CERNER)
24. Understanding of the current public health agenda in relation to infant feeding
Your recruitment team
The NHS South West London Recruitment Hub is your dedicated recruitment team, here to support you at every stage of the process. If you have a query, please contact us:
E:
Your application
Please ensure your supporting statement clearly reflects the job description and person specification, as shortlisting will be based on these criteria.
Please refer to the latest UKVI guidance and ensure you have the appropriate right to work before applying for this role.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
We kindly ask that you avoid using AI tools to draft your application. We value authentic, individual responses that reflect your own experience and communication style.
References
Please provide a minimum of 3 years’ employment and/or education history, including professional email addresses (not personal accounts such as Hotmail or Gmail). If you cannot provide these, please inform the interview panel to avoid delays in pre-employment checks.
Closing date
To help us manage recruitment efficiently, some vacancies may close early once we have received a sufficient number of applications.
Shortlisting
If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be contacted by email or SMS from the South West London Recruitment Hub. Please check your registered TRAC email regularly.
Application feedback
If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion.
Safeguarding and DBS Checks
We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. For roles with direct access to these groups, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required. All staff are expected to understand and uphold their safeguarding responsibilities as part of their role.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
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.
Application numbers
This vacancy may have an application cap, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment. Ensure your supporting statement clearly shows how you meet the job specifications.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
NameSue TaylorJob titleInfant feeding Lead midwifeEmail addressTelephone number07880002410Additional information
Sue works part time alongside Samantha Boyle, who you can also contact on: