Job summary
The infant feeding lead will have a key organisational role in developing and maintaining high standards of infant feeding across Staffordshire. They will be an innovative practitioner and an effective change agent promoting evidence based practice and maintaining Baby Friendly status for the Trust alongside the existing Infant Feeding Lead working across Staffordshire.
There is additional funding in place until the end of March 2026 to support the family hubs across Stoke on Trent with implementing UNICEF standards, this is aFixed Term Contract of an additional 7.5 hours.
Main duties of the job
Main responsibilities include taking the lead for planning, setting, maintaining and evaluating agreed standards for infant feeding that includes:
- Maintaining UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative status
- Developing innovative education programmes for staff
- Leading best practice in infant feeding care.
The post holder will be providing support and advice for staff on complex issues involving infant feeding and act as an expert clinical practitioner providing an excellent quality of care to service users and as a role model within the service and across the wider organisation.
The post holder will act as a role model in promoting best practice in relation to infant feeding, providing direction and effective and inspirational leadership to the health visiting team.
About us
Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.
We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.
We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.
We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.
Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications
Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To work autonomously and collaborate with professionals involved in the care and management of women and their families in order to promote and facilitate increased breastfeeding initiation and duration, throughout the Health Visiting element of the service. They will act as an expert resource regarding issues affecting women's ability to be able to effectively breastfeed.
To plan, deliver and evaluate training and update study days in relation to infant feeding
To create processes, pathways, policies and standard operating procedures to promote effective evidence based approaches regarding infant feeding. To evaluate and audit the effectiveness and compliance of the resources/documents
Provide clinical specialist support for infant feeding advice where required alongside existing workforce. To use expert knowledge and judgement to take into account the range of care/support packages and treatment options available. To consider each service users personal circumstances and preferences in order to implement and adjust programmes of care and intervention.
Have supervisory, training and leadership responsibilities where appropriate and will have some responsibility for team performance and service developments/improvements in relation to infant feeding /breast feeding,
Lead the staff and build successful links between health visiting and other professions to support and promote effective multi-disciplinary team working
Job description
Job responsibilities
To work autonomously and collaborate with professionals involved in the care and management of women and their families in order to promote and facilitate increased breastfeeding initiation and duration, throughout the Health Visiting element of the service. They will act as an expert resource regarding issues affecting women's ability to be able to effectively breastfeed.
To plan, deliver and evaluate training and update study days in relation to infant feeding
To create processes, pathways, policies and standard operating procedures to promote effective evidence based approaches regarding infant feeding. To evaluate and audit the effectiveness and compliance of the resources/documents
Provide clinical specialist support for infant feeding advice where required alongside existing workforce. To use expert knowledge and judgement to take into account the range of care/support packages and treatment options available. To consider each service users personal circumstances and preferences in order to implement and adjust programmes of care and intervention.
Have supervisory, training and leadership responsibilities where appropriate and will have some responsibility for team performance and service developments/improvements in relation to infant feeding /breast feeding,
Lead the staff and build successful links between health visiting and other professions to support and promote effective multi-disciplinary team working
Person Specification
estential
Essential
- Specialist Community Public Health Nursing in Health Visiting
- Evidence of Post Graduate studies
- NMC registered
- Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor Qualification
- Additional professional qualification e.g. nurse prescriber
- Short relevant courses that demonstrate an increase in skill-set within infant feeding to the required specialist level
- Clinical leadership experience
estential
Essential
- Knowledge or experience in management of tongue tie.
Desirable
- Masters qualification in relevant area that will support the delivery of the service.
- Lactation/IBCLC qualification
- UNICEF 5 day training for Infant Feeding Leads
- UNICEF Leader Qualification
Person Specification
estential
Essential
- Specialist Community Public Health Nursing in Health Visiting
- Evidence of Post Graduate studies
- NMC registered
- Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor Qualification
- Additional professional qualification e.g. nurse prescriber
- Short relevant courses that demonstrate an increase in skill-set within infant feeding to the required specialist level
- Clinical leadership experience
estential
Essential
- Knowledge or experience in management of tongue tie.
Desirable
- Masters qualification in relevant area that will support the delivery of the service.
- Lactation/IBCLC qualification
- UNICEF 5 day training for Infant Feeding Leads
- UNICEF Leader Qualification
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).
