Job Title: Infant Feeding Support Worker
Employer: North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
Location: Whitehaven, CA28 8JG
Pay: £24,071 – £25,674 per year
Job Type: Part-time
The North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a compassionate and dedicated Infant Feeding Support Worker to join our maternity services team. The role involves supporting women and families during pregnancy and up to 28 days post-birth, with a focus on breastfeeding and infant feeding education.
You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide practical, hands-on support to families both in hospital settings, including maternity wards and special care baby units, and within the community. This role contributes to delivering high-quality care that aligns with the Baby Friendly Initiative standards.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide guidance on breastfeeding positioning, attachment, and feeding techniques.
- Observe breastfeeding sessions and complete feeding assessments.
- Promote ongoing skin-to-skin contact between mothers and babies.
- Support mothers with expressing colostrum and breastmilk, including safe usage and cleaning of breast pumps.
- Educate families on responsive breastfeeding and responsive formula feeding practices.
- Demonstrate how to safely prepare artificial feeds when required.
- Refer families to relevant educational resources and leaflets available on BadgerNet.
- Monitor supplementary feeds on the ward and provide feedback to staff.
- Assist the Infant Feeding Lead Midwives with audits and data collection.
- Mentor and guide less experienced staff, ensuring best practices are followed.
About North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust:
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust is dedicated to delivering outstanding healthcare services across North Cumbria, with a focus on rural and remote care. We operate under 5 key principles to ensure safe, high-quality care every time:
- Being a clinically led organization.
- Prioritizing quality and safety.
- Enhancing the patient experience.
- Making NCIC a great place to work.
- Managing resources effectively to ensure sustainability.
- The Trust fosters a supportive, inclusive, and compassionate work environment, reflecting the diversity of the communities it serves.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary: £24,071 – £25,674 annually.
- Company Pension.
- Employee Assistance Programme (free, confidential support for personal or work-related concerns).
- Relocation Assistance (subject to eligibility).
- 27 days of annual leave (increasing to 33 days after 10 years).
- Flexible working opportunities.
- NHS Pension Scheme.
- Discounts with retailers and leisure companies via NHS benefits.
- Lease car scheme (if applicable).
Personal Suitabilities:
- Compassionate and empathetic approach to patient care.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Organized, adaptable, and able to work under pressure.
- Team-oriented mindset with the ability to mentor junior staff.
- A proactive approach to promoting infant feeding best practices.
Work Environment
- Collaborative maternity settings, including:Maternity wards
- Special Care Baby Units
- Community healthcare visits
- Fast-paced and dynamic environment with direct patient contact.
- Multidisciplinary teamwork with midwives, nurses, and healthcare professionals.
- Opportunities for training and professional development.
Skills and Knowledge
- Understanding of breastfeeding practices and infant nutrition.
- Ability to assist mothers with breastfeeding positioning, expressing milk, and feeding assessments.
- Awareness of Baby Friendly Initiative standards and responsive feeding techniques.
- Good observation and reporting skills for monitoring feeding outcomes.
- Competence in educating families about artificial feed preparation and safe milk storage.
Education and Certification
- Experience in a healthcare or maternity support role (essential).
- NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Health and Social Care (preferred but not mandatory).
- Training or awareness of breastfeeding support techniques and infant feeding practices.
- Willingness to complete relevant on-the-job training provided by the Trust.
Who Can Apply?
- UK citizens, permanent or temporary residents.
- Candidates with or without a valid work permit.
How to Apply:
Online: Apply directly on the company’s website.
