Job summary
Public Health Nursing Infant Feeding Lead
£51,883 - £58,544 Inclusive of HCAS
As Infant Feeding Lead for Public Health Nursing within Bromley Healthcare, the post holder will be working across the tri-borough public health nursing services and community to lead the implementation and maintenance of the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative, including training, clinical audit and other governance programmes in relation to activities.
Bexley Health Visiting achieved level 3 BFI accreditation in 2024 and is due to be reassessed at level 3 in April 2026. Bromley achieved their level 3 BFI accreditation in 2023 and will be reassessed in 2025. Greenwich achieved their level 3 accreditation in 2024 and is due reaccreditation in 2026. The vision is to achieve sustainability and Gold BFI accreditation in all boroughs. The Infant Feeding Lead will be responsible for the day-to-day project management of BFI and the achievement of agreed outcomes, in conjunction with the service leads.
The Infant Feeding Lead will lead on the development of pathways and processes to improve both breastfeeding initiation and duration rates and liaise with other stakeholders to share good practice and drive service improvement.
Interviews to be held on or around 18th June 2025
Main duties of the job
1. Lead and coordinate the BFI accreditation process across Health Visiting services to achieve Level 3 in all boroughs and prepare for sustainability and Gold accreditation across public health nursing.
2. Oversee and participate in the induction and training of new staff and undertaking skills audits for new staff.
3. Successful implementation of a training programme to bring the knowledge and practice of all staff into line with the new Baby Friendly Standards
5. Increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding and any breastfeeding at 6-8 weeks over an agreed timescale
6. Ensure that the annual audit is completed, and training updates are delivered to all eligible staff
7. Act as a source of expertise for breastfeeding knowledge and practice, for health professionals, individuals, community groups and key stakeholders to enable them to support and sustain mothers to breastfeed.
8. Line management of the Infant Feeding Specialists, including recruitment, appraisal and management of absence or performance concerns
The Infant Feeding Lead will provide specialist advice to clinical colleagues, individuals, community groups and other key stakeholders. The post holder will line manage the Infant Feeding Specialists in each borough who support with the delivery of training, specialist clinics and undertake audits under the direction of the Infant Feeding Lead.
About us
Bromley Healthcare, as a community interest company, offers an extensive array of services ranging from community nursing, including district nursing and health visiting, to specialised nursing care, along with therapy services catering to individuals across various age groups.
Compensation is contingent upon NHS experience and current banding/pay point.
We provide an outstanding benefits package, which includes pension schemes, discounted gym memberships, a cycle-to-work scheme, access to home furnishings and electronics, access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP), discounts at various high street retailers, eligibility for the Blue Light Card, the opportunity to apply for low-interest personal loans, and an excellent lease car scheme. Additionally, we are continuously striving to enhance our employee benefits offerings.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical and Operational
1 Lead the implementation, embedding and sustainability of the BFI standards across Bromley, Greenwich and Bexley.
2 Develop clinical pathways internally and with external partners to ensure the best infant feeding support is provided to families ante- and post-natally, and beyond.
3 Take the lead for maintaining and monitoring progress on the requirements of BFI assessment.
4 Support the Service Leads with the delivery of Healthy Weight priorities e.g. Henry, Xyla, DDM, etc.
5 Project manage the roll out of Baby Friendly Initiative, including the coordinating, planning, implementation, audit and evaluation of Baby Friendly Initiative and Child Healthy Weight Service; producing appropriate reports and information as requested within timescales.
6 Responsible for the day-to-day clinical delivery of Infant Feeding sessions, advice and support.
7 Support with the clinical delivery of Infant Feeding support, including specialist provision, within community settings including but not limited to groups/advice sessions/1-1 appointments.
8 Support the delivery and development of safe effective infant feeding supportto families who use the Health Visiting service including the assessment, reporting and control of risks in accordance with BHC processes and procedures.
Training & Education
Training and assessment of the Baby Friendly Standards of all staff in the Health Visiting Services and Family Nurse Partnership.
Deliver UNICEF Baby Friendly breastfeeding management courses.
Identify, assess, plan, deliver and evaluate the UNICEF Infant Feeding and Relationship Building training, with support of the Band 5 Infant Feeding Specialists, to all eligible staff working in the Public Health Nursing services, to enable compliance with UNICEF standards and enable delivery of evidence-based practice.
Provide line management, clinical supervision and training to the Infant Feeding Specialists.
Provide support, supervision and training, including orientation to Infant Feeding Policies, to other colleagues and students
Work with the Infant Feeding Specialists to identify training needs and deliver effective programmes of education and training, taking an active role in teaching on these initiatives.
Develop and plan BFI updates for all staff to ensure that staff retain the skills necessary to maintain the BFI standards.
Partnerships & Communication
1 Attend partnership meetings and BFI steering groups across the boroughs and attend national networking events and relevant training.
1 Represent BHC at local, regional and national breast or Infant Feeding management meetings or forums.
1 Share learning and disseminate information on the BFI standards and other resources across Health Visiting services, team meetings and professional forums.
Analytical
1 Collect, monitor, analyse and interpret quantitative and qualitative data and information as per contractual requirements and specifications.
2 Produce project plans for meeting BFI standards; monitor and evaluate these.
2 Undertake audits and analysis to inform and monitor infant feeding practice.
Policy and Service Development
3 Update the infant feeding policy and faltering growth guidance annually, in collaboration with the Service Leads.
3 Contribute to strategic plans to meet local and national objectives for infant feeding and healthy weight, maintain UNICEF Level 3 award and achievement of UNICEF Baby Friendly Gold accreditation.
3 Work with the Service Leads to review and adjust existing strategies for monitoring and improvement of infant feeding support as services develop.
3 Work with the wider infant feeding partnership on projects and initiatives to further develop quality standards within the Health Visiting services.
3 Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of current policy, both local and national, regarding infant feeding, cascading and sharing learning in order to promote best practice and drive service improvement.
3 Ensure that new practices implemented are evidenced based and that appropriate evaluation and assurance takes place.
3 Support Service Leads in identifying problem areas or areas for improvement and the remedial actions required to continually improve care, achieve the required standards and ensure best practice.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical and Operational
1 Lead the implementation, embedding and sustainability of the BFI standards across Bromley, Greenwich and Bexley.
2 Develop clinical pathways internally and with external partners to ensure the best infant feeding support is provided to families ante- and post-natally, and beyond.
3 Take the lead for maintaining and monitoring progress on the requirements of BFI assessment.
4 Support the Service Leads with the delivery of Healthy Weight priorities e.g. Henry, Xyla, DDM, etc.
5 Project manage the roll out of Baby Friendly Initiative, including the coordinating, planning, implementation, audit and evaluation of Baby Friendly Initiative and Child Healthy Weight Service; producing appropriate reports and information as requested within timescales.
6 Responsible for the day-to-day clinical delivery of Infant Feeding sessions, advice and support.
7 Support with the clinical delivery of Infant Feeding support, including specialist provision, within community settings including but not limited to groups/advice sessions/1-1 appointments.
8 Support the delivery and development of safe effective infant feeding supportto families who use the Health Visiting service including the assessment, reporting and control of risks in accordance with BHC processes and procedures.
Training & Education
Training and assessment of the Baby Friendly Standards of all staff in the Health Visiting Services and Family Nurse Partnership.
Deliver UNICEF Baby Friendly breastfeeding management courses.
Identify, assess, plan, deliver and evaluate the UNICEF Infant Feeding and Relationship Building training, with support of the Band 5 Infant Feeding Specialists, to all eligible staff working in the Public Health Nursing services, to enable compliance with UNICEF standards and enable delivery of evidence-based practice.
Provide line management, clinical supervision and training to the Infant Feeding Specialists.
Provide support, supervision and training, including orientation to Infant Feeding Policies, to other colleagues and students
Work with the Infant Feeding Specialists to identify training needs and deliver effective programmes of education and training, taking an active role in teaching on these initiatives.
Develop and plan BFI updates for all staff to ensure that staff retain the skills necessary to maintain the BFI standards.
Partnerships & Communication
1 Attend partnership meetings and BFI steering groups across the boroughs and attend national networking events and relevant training.
1 Represent BHC at local, regional and national breast or Infant Feeding management meetings or forums.
1 Share learning and disseminate information on the BFI standards and other resources across Health Visiting services, team meetings and professional forums.
Analytical
1 Collect, monitor, analyse and interpret quantitative and qualitative data and information as per contractual requirements and specifications.
2 Produce project plans for meeting BFI standards; monitor and evaluate these.
2 Undertake audits and analysis to inform and monitor infant feeding practice.
Policy and Service Development
3 Update the infant feeding policy and faltering growth guidance annually, in collaboration with the Service Leads.
3 Contribute to strategic plans to meet local and national objectives for infant feeding and healthy weight, maintain UNICEF Level 3 award and achievement of UNICEF Baby Friendly Gold accreditation.
3 Work with the Service Leads to review and adjust existing strategies for monitoring and improvement of infant feeding support as services develop.
3 Work with the wider infant feeding partnership on projects and initiatives to further develop quality standards within the Health Visiting services.
3 Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of current policy, both local and national, regarding infant feeding, cascading and sharing learning in order to promote best practice and drive service improvement.
3 Ensure that new practices implemented are evidenced based and that appropriate evaluation and assurance takes place.
3 Support Service Leads in identifying problem areas or areas for improvement and the remedial actions required to continually improve care, achieve the required standards and ensure best practice.
Person Specification
Professional registration
Essential
Desirable
- Current NMC registration as a Health Visitor
Training
Essential
- Educated to Degree level
- Relevant postgraduate qualification or on Master's degree pathway.
- SSSA Practice Assessor (Enhanced Level)
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
- BFI foundation training - 2 day
Desirable
- Management/Leadership qualification
- Teaching qualification
- Project management qualification e.g. PRINCE2
- Qualification or experience in attachment/ early relationship building
- UNICEF BFI Leader Qualification
- IBCLC/Breastfeeding Counsellor
Specific Skills
Essential
- Thorough knowledge of UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative, current Government policy regarding health and infant feeding
- Sound understanding of other relevant statutory frameworks and national policies
- Clear and thorough knowledge of Health Visiting.
- Demonstrates sound clinical judgement
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to manage barriers to understanding and acceptance.
- Excellent Interpersonal Skills
- Ability to line manage, including recruitment, retention and appraisal.
- Excellent presentation skills, with the ability to adjust style to audience.
- Ability to develop and deliver relevant training and awareness sessions.
- Ability to manage a project, with an understanding of the basic principles and tools of project management
- Able to provide visible, accessible leadership and specialist advice/support for Infant Feeding to colleagues and stakeholders.
- Ability to work autonomously, using initiative to organise, prioritise and adjust workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality.
- Ability to work autonomously, using initiative to organise, prioritise and adjust workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality.
- Solid understanding of safeguarding and risk management in healthcare.
- Sound understanding and experience of monitoring, evaluation and audit.
- Ability to apply evidence-based research to practice.
Desirable
- Experience of quality Improvement
- Ability to produce/interpret information that supports quality improvement
Experience
Essential
- Post registration experience as a practicing nurse, midwife or health visitor, with significant experience of BFI and specialist knowledge of infant feeding
- Experience of change management in a healthcare setting
- Evidence of breastfeeding promotion
- Supervisory experience e.g. supervision, mentor, preceptor, PA/PS
- Experience of training and teaching others particularly in a group setting.
- Experience of report writing, with the ability to collate, interpret and present complex themes to a range of audiences.
- Significant experience of multi-disciplinary /partnership working.
Desirable
- QI experience and/or training.
- Previous experience of BFI accreditation process
- Line management experience
- Experience of policy development
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Knowledge of the organisation and values
- Knowledge of the 6 C's
- Able to work independently and as a team
- Flexible in their approach to meeting the needs of the client
- Acts as an effective role model, mentor and coach promoting excellence through practice.
- Excellent time management skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage competing demands.
IT and Other
Essential
- Full and valid driving licence with daily access to a vehicle for travel across the three boroughs. (Business class insurance will be required).
- Good IT skills, including use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
- Familiar with electronic patient record systems e.g. EMIS.
- Ability to interrogate information resources e.g. Qliksense, RADAR, etc., in order to inform and report.
- Competent in use of academic databases and journals for research, supporting audit and training, etc.
Desirable
- Familiar with electronic staff rostering & management tools e.g. Malinko, Health Roster, etc.
Person Specification
Professional registration
Essential
Desirable
- Current NMC registration as a Health Visitor
Training
Essential
- Educated to Degree level
- Relevant postgraduate qualification or on Master's degree pathway.
- SSSA Practice Assessor (Enhanced Level)
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
- BFI foundation training - 2 day
Desirable
- Management/Leadership qualification
- Teaching qualification
- Project management qualification e.g. PRINCE2
- Qualification or experience in attachment/ early relationship building
- UNICEF BFI Leader Qualification
- IBCLC/Breastfeeding Counsellor
Specific Skills
Essential
- Thorough knowledge of UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative, current Government policy regarding health and infant feeding
- Sound understanding of other relevant statutory frameworks and national policies
- Clear and thorough knowledge of Health Visiting.
- Demonstrates sound clinical judgement
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to manage barriers to understanding and acceptance.
- Excellent Interpersonal Skills
- Ability to line manage, including recruitment, retention and appraisal.
- Excellent presentation skills, with the ability to adjust style to audience.
- Ability to develop and deliver relevant training and awareness sessions.
- Ability to manage a project, with an understanding of the basic principles and tools of project management
- Able to provide visible, accessible leadership and specialist advice/support for Infant Feeding to colleagues and stakeholders.
- Ability to work autonomously, using initiative to organise, prioritise and adjust workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality.
- Ability to work autonomously, using initiative to organise, prioritise and adjust workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality.
- Solid understanding of safeguarding and risk management in healthcare.
- Sound understanding and experience of monitoring, evaluation and audit.
- Ability to apply evidence-based research to practice.
Desirable
- Experience of quality Improvement
- Ability to produce/interpret information that supports quality improvement
Experience
Essential
- Post registration experience as a practicing nurse, midwife or health visitor, with significant experience of BFI and specialist knowledge of infant feeding
- Experience of change management in a healthcare setting
- Evidence of breastfeeding promotion
- Supervisory experience e.g. supervision, mentor, preceptor, PA/PS
- Experience of training and teaching others particularly in a group setting.
- Experience of report writing, with the ability to collate, interpret and present complex themes to a range of audiences.
- Significant experience of multi-disciplinary /partnership working.
Desirable
- QI experience and/or training.
- Previous experience of BFI accreditation process
- Line management experience
- Experience of policy development
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Knowledge of the organisation and values
- Knowledge of the 6 C's
- Able to work independently and as a team
- Flexible in their approach to meeting the needs of the client
- Acts as an effective role model, mentor and coach promoting excellence through practice.
- Excellent time management skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage competing demands.
IT and Other
Essential
- Full and valid driving licence with daily access to a vehicle for travel across the three boroughs. (Business class insurance will be required).
- Good IT skills, including use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
- Familiar with electronic patient record systems e.g. EMIS.
- Ability to interrogate information resources e.g. Qliksense, RADAR, etc., in order to inform and report.
- Competent in use of academic databases and journals for research, supporting audit and training, etc.
Desirable
- Familiar with electronic staff rostering & management tools e.g. Malinko, Health Roster, etc.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
