Job summary
Neonatal Feeding Support Worker
37.50 hours per week
Permanent
Salary: £24,625 - £25,674 per annum
Closing Date: 10th July 2025
Interview Date: 14th August 2025
**This post may close early due to high numbers of applications, so you are advised to apply promptly. **
All correspondence for this vacancy will be sent by email; please check your account regularly including your Junk and SPAM areas.
A great and friendly place to work, so bring your passion, commitment and expertise and enjoy the opportunities to make a difference every day.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces Community - get in touch to find out more
#JoinTeamEliot
Main duties of the job
The primary role of the Neonatal Feeding Support Worker is to assist, support and work in collaboration with the nursing team and neonatal care co-ordinator and contribute to the implementation of a high standard of individualised care by supporting families in their chosen method of feeding.
The post holder will be adaptable in supporting with the early feeding of premature babies. They will provide infant feeding information in line with UNICEF BFI standards and the Trust's Infant Feeding Policy.
The post holder will ensure that relevant statistical information is collected and submitted effectively through the designated channels. They must be able to work in a flexible manner, depending on the needs of the service.
The post holder will run parent craft sessions around infant feeding, tailored to the needs of the families.
There will be development opportunities of which there will be an expectation to attend and complete.
About us
Here at George Eliot our vision to'excel at patient care' takes centre stage. An ever evolving clinically-led acute service provider we are on a journey to continually provide high quality, safe and responsive services delivered by inspiring, friendly and compassionate staff who share our corporate values which underpin everything we do. Our values are not just words on a piece of paper, they bond us together, reflect our ambition and shape who we are:
Effective Open Communication
excellence and safety in everything we do
Challenge but support
Expect respect and dignity
Local health that inspires confidence
Benefits: On-site nursery, 27 days minimum annual leave plus bank holidays, cycle to work scheme, flexible working, in house training and development, buying and selling of annual leave, subsidised restaurant, tranquillity garden and generous subsidised on-site parking.
If you are applying for a Domestic Assistant or Health Care Assistant role you may be eligible for the refer a friend scheme - find out more here: https://www.geh.nhs.uk/about-us/people-and-workforce/vacancies/refer-friend-scheme
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To assist the woman in her chosen method of feeding by providing accurate information and emotional and practical support in a non-judgmental manner.
- To assist in observing the woman and her baby during preparation to feed, feeding and post-feeding, and record and report any concerns to the nurse in charge.
- To correctly show the mother positioning and attachment, hand expression, skin-to-skin contact and provide her with supporting information verbally and written.
- To show families how to sterilise equipment, prepare formula feeds safely and administer feeds correctly ensuring that they are responsive to their babys needs.
- To perform any duties which have been learnt as part of a formal teaching programme following assessment of competence.
- To assist with basic baby care e.g. changing a nappy, if necessary, at the time of giving infant feeding support, and report any concerns to the nurse in charge.
- To communicate with all women, family members, colleagues and visitors effectively.
- To report any dissatisfaction, complaint or unusual occurrence to the Nurse in Charge.
- To provide families with details of Community Support Groups related to Breast feeding.
For a full comprehensive list of main responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to job description and personal specification attached.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To assist the woman in her chosen method of feeding by providing accurate information and emotional and practical support in a non-judgmental manner.
- To assist in observing the woman and her baby during preparation to feed, feeding and post-feeding, and record and report any concerns to the nurse in charge.
- To correctly show the mother positioning and attachment, hand expression, skin-to-skin contact and provide her with supporting information verbally and written.
- To show families how to sterilise equipment, prepare formula feeds safely and administer feeds correctly ensuring that they are responsive to their babys needs.
- To perform any duties which have been learnt as part of a formal teaching programme following assessment of competence.
- To assist with basic baby care e.g. changing a nappy, if necessary, at the time of giving infant feeding support, and report any concerns to the nurse in charge.
- To communicate with all women, family members, colleagues and visitors effectively.
- To report any dissatisfaction, complaint or unusual occurrence to the Nurse in Charge.
- To provide families with details of Community Support Groups related to Breast feeding.
For a full comprehensive list of main responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to job description and personal specification attached.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE level A-C English and Maths or equivalent
- Functional Skills
- NVQ level 3 in Health Care .
- An understanding of the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative of breastfeeding and relationship building
- UNICEF breastfeeding training course
Desirable
- Evidence of certified Breastfeeding Training course.
Experience and knowledge
Essential
- Previous experience of working in a health care setting for a minimum of 6 months, offering breastfeeding support.
- Previous experience of supporting premature babies with their feeding.
- Have the ability to support junior colleagues
- Have experience of orientating junior staff members
- To understand what BFI means and how you can support this
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Good communication skills; a sensitive approach, clear speaking voice, able to listen effectively
- Able to use own initiative and work without direct supervision.
- Able to prioritise effectively under pressure.
- Able to work in a team
- Good organisational skills
- Previous experience of attending meetings/being part of working parties that have helped facilitate change or make improvements in patient care
- Willing to undertake training courses if required
- Ability to support families with their feeding journey in an individual or parent support group
- Clean and tidy presentation, adhering to the GEH uniform policy whilst on duty
- Good general health, physically able to move and handle as appropriate
- Able to work in a flexible manner to meet the needs of the service.
- Be flexible and adaptable to change
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE level A-C English and Maths or equivalent
- Functional Skills
- NVQ level 3 in Health Care .
- An understanding of the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative of breastfeeding and relationship building
- UNICEF breastfeeding training course
Desirable
- Evidence of certified Breastfeeding Training course.
Experience and knowledge
Essential
- Previous experience of working in a health care setting for a minimum of 6 months, offering breastfeeding support.
- Previous experience of supporting premature babies with their feeding.
- Have the ability to support junior colleagues
- Have experience of orientating junior staff members
- To understand what BFI means and how you can support this
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Good communication skills; a sensitive approach, clear speaking voice, able to listen effectively
- Able to use own initiative and work without direct supervision.
- Able to prioritise effectively under pressure.
- Able to work in a team
- Good organisational skills
- Previous experience of attending meetings/being part of working parties that have helped facilitate change or make improvements in patient care
- Willing to undertake training courses if required
- Ability to support families with their feeding journey in an individual or parent support group
- Clean and tidy presentation, adhering to the GEH uniform policy whilst on duty
- Good general health, physically able to move and handle as appropriate
- Able to work in a flexible manner to meet the needs of the service.
- Be flexible and adaptable to change
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
