Job summary
In our small but dedicated Infant feeding team, we work with families to get breastfeeding off to a good start, support to overcome breastfeeding challenges, advise how to maximise breastmilk; as well as supporting those who give formula to their babies to do so safely and effectively. We successfully gained the nationally recognised- GOLD Baby Friendly Initiative award in September 2022, and we have our reaccreditation in September this year. We are looking for a motivated, passionate individual to join us as we journey through our reaccreditation, supporting the families in Portsmouth with the aim to increase breastfeeding rates to improve health outcomes for infants and their mothers. Also, to inform families of evidence-based information to support decision making and raise awareness adhering to the WHO International code of marketing of breastmilk substitutes. The role will involve carrying out parent audits, training, home visits, 1-1s in hubs. The Infant feeding team is part of Portsmouth health visiting team and we receive referrals from the health visitors, community health nurses, midwifes, GPs and more. Within our team we have dedicated team members working out of the family hubs to deliver Infant feeding interventions alongside The Breastfeeding Network and the midwifery team. Research shows a staggering 8 out of 10 women stop breastfeeding before they want to. If you think you can make a difference to help change this in the city of Portsmouth? Then we want to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
* On a daily basis assist infant feeding staff to prioritise and allocate work that has been received via the Infant feeding task list and offer support/ care as required for individual service users.
* To promote, encourage and support families in their choice to breastfeed, including introducing families to community breastfeeding groups which are provided in by partnership agencies
* To support ante-natal education around responsive infant feeding.
*To receive information from maternity to identify women who require additional support &/or information breastfeeding their babies on discharge from hospital.
* To carry out telephone contacts with women identified as needing additional breastfeeding to offer practical and emotional support and give information on exclusive and / or partial breastfeeding to help families have a realistic expectation about breastfeeding and know where to access help and support.
*To carry out home visits as required within the Solent NHS Trust Lone Working Policy, to complete a breastfeeding observation and assessment, making and updating plans of care as appropriate, working closely with other infant feeding team members, midwives, Breastfeeding Network and members of the Health Visiting Team as appropriate.
*To work within UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative standards as upheld by Solent NHS Trust.
*Participate in carrying out clinical audits for both staff and parents as per Baby friendly requirements.
About us
We have been working with other local NHS Trusts to create a new organisation, bringing together all community, mental health and learning disability services from across Hampshire and Isle of Wight. Subject to approvals, the aim is for the new Trust to be formed by July 2024.
Project Fusion is the name for the programme to create the new combined NHS Foundation Trust. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust will be bringing the services into a single organisation will result in more consistent care, more equitable access to services irrespective of postcode, and a more sustainable workforce and services. The new organisation will operate locally to ensure services can best meet the needs of different communities.
The new Trust will be comprised of all the services currently provided by Solent NHS Trust and Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, the community, mental health and learning disability services provided by Isle of Wight NHS Trust and child and adolescent mental health services delivered in parts of Hampshire by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Colleagues will transfer to the new organisation under Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) -- known as TUPE on 1st July 2024. TUPE is a legal process to ensure you transfer out of one organisation and into another, maintaining the terms and conditions of your employment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description*
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
1. * Healthcare qualification Level 2, 3 or working towards gaining equivalent level
2. * Good basic education or GSCE in English and maths
Desirable
3. * Additional training/ qualifications related to Infant feeding
4. * Solihull Trained
Experience
Essential
5. * Experience in either a hospital or community setting
6. * Working within a multidisciplinary team
7. * Work without direct supervision
8. * Experience of supporting with Infant feeding