Infant feeding Peer supporter

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Infant Feeding Peer Support Workers will work to support the infant feeding strategy to provide additional support with breastfeeding within a designated area within Lincolnshire. The post holder will offer breastfeeding peer support in order to increase breastfeeding initiation and continuation rates in line with NICE guidance, as well as act as a point of contact for local parents, Childrens Centre staff, and other professionals. The post holder will offer ad hoc support to the infant feeding volunteers. The service will enable those women who choose to breastfeed gain access to appropriate support services regardless of age, ethnic origin, beliefs, sexual orientation, social and employment status. Main Aims of the Service To provide a breastfeeding service to families of Lincolnshire through a variety of means including individualised one to one support, through face to face contact, telephone, MS teams and group sessions. To support increasing the initiation and duration breastfeeding rates in Lincolnshire. Support families to access breastfeeding services particularly in the more deprived communities where mothers are less likely to breastfeed. Support and work towards Baby Friendly accreditation.

Main Duties

1. To support local mothers to breastfeed at various venues for example, home, childrens centres, through MS Teams under the supervision of the Health Visiting Service. Provide home visits and phone/text support to offer encouragement, information and support about infant feeding, bonding and parenting.

2. Help facilitate community breastfeeding support groups with infant feeding peer support volunteers alongside the Health Visiting team.

3. Support with the delivery of antenatal education with regards to infant feeding.

4. Keep accurate documentation following contacts using the SystmOne. Locality Health Managers Lead Nurse Practice Supervisors Health Visitors Lactation Consultants Registered Nurse Family Health Workers Breastfeeding Champions Community Practice Educators Safeguarding Nurse Advisor Specialist Health Visitor- Infant Feeding Infant feeding peer support worker LCC Volunteers Infant Feeding.

5. Liaise/refer and develop a good working partnership with midwives, health visitors, Family Support Workers and other partner agencies.

6. Support local public health events working proactively with third sector organisations, local businesses and raising awareness of breastfeeding within the community.

7. Share information with parents about local family support and Early Years Childrens Centre/Family Hubs activities.

8. Contribute to the audit and evaluation of the breastfeeding service as required.

9. Support the Specialist Health Visitor with the recruitment of volunteers and the delivery of their training.

10. To attend the infant feeding and relationship building two-day training course and attend annual updates there after and any other relevant training including safeguarding training. To work within local and national safeguarding and policies.

11. To receive monthly professional supervision from line manager.

12. To support the delivery of breastfeeding awareness training to non-clinical staff.

13. Work to support the implementation of the Baby Friendly Initiative across the Lincolnshire as per infant feeding strategy.

14. To participate in professional meetings where appropriate.

The postholder is required to take personal responsibility for contributing to organisational transformation and changes in ways of working, maximising the benefits and efficiencies for both internal and external customers, including the promotion and use of self service to achieve maximum cost effectiveness. The postholder is expected to work to the Lincolnshire County Council Core Values and Behaviours and to carry out the duties in accordance with Lincolnshire County Council policies. Other Duties - The duties and responsibilities in this job description are not exhaustive. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties within the general scope of the post. Any such duties should not substantially change the general character of the post. Duties and responsibilities outside of the general scope of this grade of post will be with the consent of the post holder. Safeguarding -. All employees need to be aware of the possible abuse of children and vulnerable adults and if you are concerned you need to follow the Lincolnshire County Council Safeguarding Policy. In addition employees working with children and vulnerable adults have a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults during the course of their work.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Ability to advocate, negotiate and challenge on behalf of families in
• a variety of settings.
• Knowledge and experience of breast feeding and any accredited breastfeeding qualifications.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to act as an intermediary between
• families and professionals.
• Ability to work remotely and on own initiative.
• Experience of supporting families within a community setting.
• Positive attitude to the promotion of diversity and equal opportunities.
• Driving licence and vehicle available for work.
• Commitment and understanding of Health & Safety.
• Ability to interpret available data to drive and direct service
• improvement and how to report outcomes to evidence impact.

Desirable

• To be a key team player and work closely with staff members and specialist workers from other agencies, local authorities and organisations.
• Ability to produce and maintain accurate records and reports.
• Proficient information and IT skills to enable effective communication with internal and external agencies.
• Experience of working in a breast-feeding group.
• Ability to prioritize workload according to need.
• Knowledge of Safeguarding and risk management.
• Ability to recognise, appreciate and work within different organisations cultures.
• Ability to demonstrate good knowledge and skills of breastfeeding.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Lincolnshire County Council

Address

3rd Floor, Lancaster House

36 Orchard Street

Lincoln

Lincolnshire

LN1 1XX

Employer's website

https://jobs.lincolnshire.gov.uk/home.html (Opens in a new tab)