Job summary
Significant inequalities in maternity outcomes persist in the UK, particularly for women from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, who face higher risks of stillbirth and neonatal death. These disparities are caused by multiple factors, but evidence shows that current service provision contributes to poorer outcomes.
Barriers such as language, cultural misunderstandings, and lack of trust in services can delay access to care. Stillbirth rates in these groups are twice as high, and neonatal death rates are 45% higher than among White women.
The Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (EDI) Lead will assess staff training needs to ensure discussions around race and culture are handled sensitively and appropriately. They will work closely with diverse and vulnerable groups to build trust, dispel misconceptions, and ensure that all women feel safe and supported in accessing maternity care.
This role will also take a lead in developing and delivering an EDI framework across the Trust, promoting an inclusive environment for all staff, patients, and families. The EDI Lead will support the Trust's commitment to equitable, high-quality care and improving outcomes for all.
Main duties of the job
Provide a service that women and families from culturally diverse and vulnerable backgrounds can access to reduce the risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality.
Provide training to staff, and institutions around cultural awareness, tackling difficult conversations.
Provide assurance that in line with saving babies lives there will be a concerted effort to reduce morbidity and mortality.
In conjunction with community, religious leaders, MVP's LMNS ensure advocacy for women.
Ensure there is a clear vision with specific goals to support and that a Framework is in place to monitor and evaluate the framework to ensure that it remains aligned with the Trust's values and is consistent with wider NHS expectations.
Be the subject matter expert and will provide specialist guidance as required.
About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Develop and manage the implementation and delivery of the pilot ensuring that the service gaps are identified, and systems and process are out in place to address these.
Working with key stakeholders to influence change in policies, practices and provision that disproportionately disadvantage people according to their sex, race, religion or belief, disability or any other protected characteristics.
Undertake comprehensive audit and research and work alongside of diverse cultures women with a wide variety of physical and emotional needs to provide a holistic approach to their care.
To act as a champion for patients and their interests and involve the public and patients in the policy development and decision-making.
To ensure all public and patient contact is of the highest professional standard and ensure that the dialogue between staff and service users is at all levels of decision making.
Engage with Consultants, community leaders, MVP's and the midwifery service, to maximise referrals and ensure that there is a robust referral pathway to women accessing care.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Develop and manage the implementation and delivery of the pilot ensuring that the service gaps are identified, and systems and process are out in place to address these.
Working with key stakeholders to influence change in policies, practices and provision that disproportionately disadvantage people according to their sex, race, religion or belief, disability or any other protected characteristics.
Undertake comprehensive audit and research and work alongside of diverse cultures women with a wide variety of physical and emotional needs to provide a holistic approach to their care.
To act as a champion for patients and their interests and involve the public and patients in the policy development and decision-making.
To ensure all public and patient contact is of the highest professional standard and ensure that the dialogue between staff and service users is at all levels of decision making.
Engage with Consultants, community leaders, MVP's and the midwifery service, to maximise referrals and ensure that there is a robust referral pathway to women accessing care.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Midwife NMC Registered
- Evidence of post registration professional knowledge acquired through Degree or above supplemented by specialist training or equivalent experience to masters level equivalent
Desirable
- Evidence of accredited management / leadership training or evidence of practical application of expertise at this level
- Teaching and assessing qualification
Experience
Essential
- A proven track record of operational service management at a Band 7 or above, managing a ward / service/ department. Including staff, financial/budgetary and change management.
- Is able to articulate a clear understanding of current issues in clinical practice related to the role/ speciality applied for and is able to apply National and Trust Policy to practice
- Ability to think and plan strategically and tactically, whilst prioritising workloads in complex challenging and competitive environment
- The ability to collaborate constructively, with internal and external stakeholders. Creating an environment and culture for successful Partnership Working
Desirable
- Experience of planning and implementing service developments
- Ergonomics (Human Factor)
- Experience of clinical audit and the use of audit information to improve and sustain clinical practice standards
Knowledge
Essential
- A good understanding of the NHS changing environment e.g., current concerns, initiatives and can relate this to the role applied for Current professional and health service priorities.
- Working knowledge of CQC Standards Can demonstrate an understanding of: - oSafeguarding oEquality and Diversity oData Protection Act oWorkforce planning
Skills
Essential
- Well-developed leadership and influencing skills with the ability to enthuse motivate and involve individuals and teams to have an understanding of the Trust's and departmental/ward performance expectations.
- Ability to be flexible and look beyond existing structures, boundaries and ways of working to produce more effective service delivery, patient outcomes and staff engagement.
- Committed to improving patient experience and outcomes through an ability to sustain a clear performance focus on achieving demanding goals; and developing a culture of openness, honesty, responsibility and accountability
- Able to deal with challenging/difficult situations and individuals, with sensitivity and diplomacy
- Well established IT Skills
- Excellent written & verbal communication skills.
Desirable
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Midwife NMC Registered
- Evidence of post registration professional knowledge acquired through Degree or above supplemented by specialist training or equivalent experience to masters level equivalent
Desirable
- Evidence of accredited management / leadership training or evidence of practical application of expertise at this level
- Teaching and assessing qualification
Experience
Essential
- A proven track record of operational service management at a Band 7 or above, managing a ward / service/ department. Including staff, financial/budgetary and change management.
- Is able to articulate a clear understanding of current issues in clinical practice related to the role/ speciality applied for and is able to apply National and Trust Policy to practice
- Ability to think and plan strategically and tactically, whilst prioritising workloads in complex challenging and competitive environment
- The ability to collaborate constructively, with internal and external stakeholders. Creating an environment and culture for successful Partnership Working
Desirable
- Experience of planning and implementing service developments
- Ergonomics (Human Factor)
- Experience of clinical audit and the use of audit information to improve and sustain clinical practice standards
Knowledge
Essential
- A good understanding of the NHS changing environment e.g., current concerns, initiatives and can relate this to the role applied for Current professional and health service priorities.
- Working knowledge of CQC Standards Can demonstrate an understanding of: - oSafeguarding oEquality and Diversity oData Protection Act oWorkforce planning
Skills
Essential
- Well-developed leadership and influencing skills with the ability to enthuse motivate and involve individuals and teams to have an understanding of the Trust's and departmental/ward performance expectations.
- Ability to be flexible and look beyond existing structures, boundaries and ways of working to produce more effective service delivery, patient outcomes and staff engagement.
- Committed to improving patient experience and outcomes through an ability to sustain a clear performance focus on achieving demanding goals; and developing a culture of openness, honesty, responsibility and accountability
- Able to deal with challenging/difficult situations and individuals, with sensitivity and diplomacy
- Well established IT Skills
- Excellent written & verbal communication skills.
Desirable
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).
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
