Infant Feeding Lead

We are looking for an individual who is passionate and enthusiastic about Infant Feeding and who possesses significant experience, skills and knowledge in this area.

The Infant Lead will be responsible for continuing the work to date on the Trust's journey towards achieving UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative accreditation. The role's key focus will be to facilitate the implementation and evaluation of a programme aimed specifically at childbearing women regarding infant feeding. The post-holder will be expected to maintain baby friendly standards across CHS and to lead on an overall improvement in breastfeeding rates, whilst inspiring a positive organisational culture that successfully supports women in their choice of infant feeding. The role will include working with the Matron, Lead midwives and nurses strategically and operationally to gain UNICEF Baby Friendly Accreditation Status and maintain achievement in line with these standards.

The post is area specific; however, all trust employees will work as appropriate to the needs of the service and be deployed when required. The post holder will also participate in a clinical support rota.

Main duties of the job

• Coordinate the development and implementation of the UNICEF BFI Standards across all disciplines within the maternity and neonatal services, leading to an overall improvement in breastfeeding rates.
• Continue the Trust's journey to date in gaining, advancing and sustaining BFI accreditation.
• To provide expert and professional leadership and support for staff by demonstrating a commitment to best practice in breastfeeding and infant feeding.
• To oversee the monitoring, audit, action planning and evaluation of the BFI standards across areas; to include regular audits and reports to the service on progress.
• To coordinate the production of policies, tools, guidelines and materials for staff and parents.
• Lead the infant feeding team to include the coordination with, and the working with, the Breastfeeding programme lead for the Baby Cafes and peer support programmes.

About us

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust provide hospital and community services from a number of community and specialist clinics throughout Croydon. The Trust was formed on 1st August 2010 through the integration of Croydon Community Health Services and Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust. Around 4,100 staff provide services for a population of over 360,000 people who are relatively young with a high level of ethnic diversity. Our main hospital site, Croydon University Hospital is one of the busiest in London. We're also leading the way in providing more healthcare outside hospitals at clinics, specialist centres and in people's homes. Our experienced district nursing teams, Allied Health Professionals and community matrons look after people of all ages across Croydon. Across the NHS everyone is working hard to meet growing demand and we're no exception. But with the right people on board, we are rising to this challenge, putting our people in the driving seat, encouraging innovation and transforming our services to give local people the quality of care they deserve. Croydon Health Services puts a great deal of importance on education and training throughout the careers of all of our staff. If you want the opportunity to have a real impact, challenge yourself and be part of an NHS Trust that's making a real difference then a career at Croydon Health Services could be just what you're looking for.

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached supporting document which contains more information about the role. You can also contact Shay Labisi if you have any further questions.

Person Specification Education and Qualifications

• NMC registered Midwife / Nurse
• BSc in Midwifery / Nursing
• Evidence of professional development
• Assessor/mentorship course or equivalent
• Masters in Midwifery, or evidence of working towards
• Managerial/Leadership qualifications and / or experience
• UNICEF 5 day training for Infant Feeding Leads

Knowledge and Understanding

• Awareness and understanding of current national and local midwifery/ nursing agenda.
• Knowledge of clinical governance and risk management
• Understanding of change management process.
• Understand systems of team approach in midwifery

Experience

• Experience of working in both hospital and community settings
• Formal teaching practice in the classroom
• Experience of Managing Teams
• Experience of implementing change management projects
• Evidence of contribution to developing midwifery practice or education and training.
• Guideline and policy development
• Experience of completing clinical audits

Skills/Abilities

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Teaching and presentation skills
• IT skills - awareness of data quality issues
• Ability to initiate change and participate in implementing new policies and procedures
• Ability to be objective when assessing staff
• Ability to give and receive feedback
• Examination and assessment of the new born
• Experienced in producing reports and presenting findings to the public

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.