Job summary

This role provides enhanced personalised antenatal and postnatal care to women and families identified as vulnerable, including those who use substances, are seeking asylum, teenage parents, and women experiencing domestic abuse, mental health difficulties and other complex social factors. The postholder coordinates care to ensure access to services to reduce the impact of social inequalities, aiming for the best outcomes for vulnerable women and babies.

Successful candidate must have access to a vehicle for work purposes to meet the requirements of the role

Main duties of the job

Work autonomously, managing a caseload, within Trust guidance, policies and procedures.

Provide safe, effective midwifery care to women with complex health and wellbeing needs.

Develop, monitor and review personalised care plans to meet women's needs including coordinating input from other services and agencies as required.

Work collaboratively with maternity teams, external agencies and multi-professionals including health visiting, safeguarding, social care, drug and alcohol services, perinatal mental health, IAPT services, VSCE organisations and GPs to provide appropriate care and support for vulnerable women.

Effectively communicate complex and sensitive information to women and families maintaining an empathetic approach.

Participate in the evaluation of care pathways and approaches and the ongoing development and improvement of the service for vulnerable women.

Act as a resource to other midwives/professionals in relation to the provision of supportive and appropriate care for vulnerable women.

Maintain up to date knowledge of relevant research and evidence to inform care.

About us

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust have come together to form University Hospitals Tees. As a result, post holders may be required to work across sites within both organisations. Across University Hospitals Tees, our ambition is to be the best place to work, ensuring we have the right staff in the right roles at the right time to deliver outstanding patient care and experience. We are committed to supporting our staff through an inclusive and supportive working environment, offering health and wellbeing initiatives, staff benefits, and opportunities for personal and professional development. We support the 'Making Every Contact Count' approach to behaviour change in the promotion of health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

Job responsibilities

Please see the full job description and person specification document(s) attached for main responsibilities of the role.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

• NMC registered midwife
• Evidence of continuous development
• Full UK driving licence and use of own vehicle
• Level 3 Safeguarding Children and Adults

Desirable

• CPD relevant to vulnerable women

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Awareness of current issues and national and local maternity strategies
• Ability to communicate with women, families, staff and professionals on a range of complex and sensitive issues in a clear, accurate, unambiguous way
• Ability to recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns in line with Trust and Tees Wide policies and procedures
• Ability to work independently and use own initiative while working as a lone worker in the community
• Understanding of the impact of complex social factors on access to care, experiences of care and outcomes
• Ability to motivate and empower others to make positive health and lifestyle choices
• Effective time management
• Understanding of trauma informed care
• Skills and experience with the promotion, support and assistance of infant feeding
• Digital skills including use of electronic patients records and Microsoft 365

Desirable

• Knowledge of local agencies and organisations which contribute to supporting vulnerable women and families

Experience

Essential

• Completion of midwifery preceptorship programme and working as a band 6
• Experience of participating in the planning, implementing, adjustment and evaluation of personalised care plans and decision making, as part of a multi-disciplinary team as appropriate
• Contribution to service development
• Full range of clinical knowledge and skills required as a qualified practising midwife.

Desirable

• Experience of multi-agency working
• Experience of caring for women with substance misuse issues
• Experience of caring for women with other complex social needs
• Leadership experience
• Experience of caring for women with mental health conditions
• Experience of making safeguarding referrals and/or participation in safeguarding procedures.

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Caring, empathetic and compassionate nature
• Commitment to women centred approach to care
• Excellent communication skills
• Creativity
• Optimism
• Non-judgemental attitude
• Proactive approach
• Self-awareness
• Ability to work calmly and effectively under pressure

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. Applicants must have current UK professional registration.