WHSCT Infant Feeding Lead Specialist Midwife Band 7 ref:56003706
Branch: South West Acute Hospital
Location: SWAH Southwest Hospital
Directorate: Woman & Childern's Service
Salary: Band 7 (£47,810 - £54,710)
Contract Type: Permanent
Opening date: 06/11/26
Closes: Fri, 20 November 2026 @ 3:30 PM
Interview Dates: To be confirmed
Notes: Online and manual applications accepted.

Important Information
If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR.

Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage.

A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026.

Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week.

Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards.

Flexible Working
We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role.
Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

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Full job description documents:
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JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Infant Feeding Lead Specialist Midwife
Band: 7
Directorate: Surgery, Paediatrics & Women's Health
Initial Location: SWAH
Reports To: Lead Midwife
Accountable To: Head of Midwifery & Gynaecology

Job Summary
This post is to promote, support and co-ordinate breastfeeding services and the implementation of best practice for breastfeeding using current best practice standards with a view to improving breastfeeding outcomes across the acute setting within the Southern Sector of the WHSCT.

A key role of the post will be to lead on and implement recommendations from WHSCT, PHA and DHSSPS breastfeeding agenda and able to effectively lead the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI), providing women with appropriate individualised care and facilitate/support the Tongue Tie service.

The post holder will work with the Head of Midwifery, Lead Midwives and other clinical and health improvement personnel taking forward the Infant feeding strategy within the Trust.

Main Duties/Responsibilities

• To provide leadership and specialist advice for professionals, women and their families on all issues relating to lactation.
• Work in collaboration with other professionals and agencies to promote best practice in breastfeeding.
• Development, monitoring and maintaining best practice which supports implementation of UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative Maternity and Neonatal Standards.
• Development, implementation and monitoring of staff knowledge and skills through an education programme in partnership with the Neonatal Unit Breastfeeding Lead. Maintain an accurate training database.
• Audit of practice using the Baby Friendly Initiative Maternity Audit Tool and reporting at staff meetings on progress and challenges.
• Completion of annual audit to UNICEF BFI UK.
• Create an environment that provides learning and professional development of midwives and support staff.
• Lead and facilitate professional person-centred decision making in a multidisciplinary setting.
• Implement recommendations from government and professional bodies in relation to breastfeeding.
• To establish and maintain tongue tie service.
• To deliver multidisciplinary teaching sessions related to infant feeding and tongue tie both internally and externally to the Trust.
• To review, respond and investigate any incidents and or complaints related to Infant Feeding and/or the Tongue Tie Service.
• Ensure all records and documentation including any electronic records, are accurate, legible and completed in a timely manner.
• Participate in in-service training programmes, orientation of new staff and students offering mentorship, support and clinical guidance where applicable.
• Work with Trust volunteer services to ensure the appropriate training, screening and support of peer support volunteers.
• Adhere to relevant Trust guidelines, policies and procedures.
• Liaise with Senior Managers regarding professional midwifery issues.
• Adhere to DoH and NMC guidelines for practice requirements and standards, for example, safe handling, administration, storage and custody of drugs.
• Adhere to the Data Protection Act (2018), the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and Records Management and that they must not disclose, withhold, retain or dispose of any information unless legally authorised.
• To provide leadership and management of the Tongue Tie Service.

Managerial/Leadership

• Lead by example, demonstrating a proven record of sound leadership, communication skills, management skills, courtesy and diplomacy, when dealing with colleagues and the general public.
• Develop personal resource, to be a role model for the maternity services, show self confidence and confidence in team. Maintain staff morale and promote good working relationships.
• Motivating staff, understanding the needs to motivate staff and identify various ways to acknowledge their efforts and achievements inspire through action and example.
• Articulate vision, communicate vision for breastfeeding services, and encourage staff to take this view on.
• Assist in maintaining the database of staff development/educational activities.
• Participate in the recruitment and selection of staff.
• Assist Ward Sisters to ensure that all staff are familiarised with new equipment.
• Attend departmental and hospital meetings.

Education

• As Infant Feeding Lead, assist in preparation and implementation of an induction/orientation programme for newly appointed midwifery, medical, healthcare assistants and peer support volunteers.
• Work with newly registered midwives/MSW/Maternity Assistants and students to develop their infant feeding skills, confidence in decision-making and sound application of theory to practice.
• Promote an environment which supports a culture of life-long learning and reflective practice for all staff.
• In conjunction with Ward Sisters, identify training needs for staff and participate in the implementation of these programmes where appropriate.
• Assist in provision, monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of post-registration training/courses.
• Act as a resource for midwives participating in audit/research projects providing support and guidance.
• Work in conjunction with other breastfeeding coordinators, Health Improvement and PHA both locally and regionally to support the breastfeeding peer support network and initiatives relating to it.

Governance

• Attend and participate in clinical governance meetings to promote good midwifery practice, learn from events and disseminate findings to colleagues.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of risk management and untoward incident reporting and policies and procedures.
• Participate in the reviews of clinical incidents and give feedback to individuals or groups on any recommendations.
• Liaise with Supervisors of Midwives on practice issues.
• Safeguarding: ensure knowledge of procedures; and to be competent to support midwives with referrals to social services and their attendance at case conferences.
• Identify areas of practice, which require further investigation and initiate and participate in both midwifery and medical research and audit programmes.
• Participates in the development of clinical and educational guidelines and policies to improve clinical practice.
• Assist with monitoring quality of care in the maternity service and participate in audit programme as required.
• Collect and record data and statistical information as required by local and national bodies.
• Work in collaboration with the Head of Midwifery/Risk Midwives to ensure compliance with agreed standards.

Enhance the patients'/clients' experience

• Monitor and report on patients/clients progress and maintain contemporaneous records.
• Maintain a culture of person-centred care within the department.
• Promote a caring environment where equality and diversity issues are respected and patients/clients are enabled to be partners in their care.
• Facilitate communication between all members of the multi-disciplinary/multi-agency team, and across care settings.

General Management Responsibilities
The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with 'Your right to raise a concern (Whistleblowing)' policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

General Requirements
The post holder will be required to:

• Ensure the Trust's policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.
• Co-operate fully with the implementation of the Trust's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.
• Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example: Smoke Free policy; IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct; Standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour.
• Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.
• Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.
• All employees of the Western Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the [org name] including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the [org name] policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.
• Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.
• Represent the Trust's commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.
• The HSC Code of conduct sets out the standards of conduct expected of all staff in the Western Health & Social Care Trust and presents standards of conduct and behaviours required during and after employment with the Trust. Professional staff are expected to follow the code of conduct for their own professions as well as this code.
• Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community where relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust's ongoing commitment to Personal and Public Involvement (PPI).
• Employees must at all times abide by Trust policies and procedures and the terms of their contract of employment. They must conduct themselves with impartiality, integrity, objectivity and honesty and maintain high standards of personal and professional accountability.
• Employees are expected to demonstrate commitment to the Trust by ensuring regular attendance at work and efficient completion of duties.
• Employees must ensure that they comply with any risk management responsibilities specific to their post, and as set out in the Trust's Risk Management Strategy.
• The Trust is committed to the development and implementation of systems under Integrated Governance to ensure continuous improvement in the quality of services provided. Employees will be expected to co-operate and work with such systems.
• All information concerning patients and staff must be held in the strictest confidence and may not be divulged to any unauthorised person.
• Employees must ensure that equality and human rights issues are addressed within the post holder's area of responsibility in accordance with the Trust's Equality Scheme.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.

Personnel Specification
Job Title and Band: Infant Feeding Lead Specialist Midwife (Band 7)
Department / Directorate: Surgery, Paediatrics & Women's Health
Location: SWAH

Essential Criteria (Section 1): Currently registered as a midwife on the NMC Register AND 3 years' post registration experience within Midwifery, OR 5 years post registration experience as a Band 5 including 3 years within Midwifery, OR 5 years post registration experience which must include a minimum of 2 years at Band 6 within Midwifery. Ability to demonstrate participation in a service improvement and/or practice development within the last 2 years. Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment (waived for applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a Trust-approved form of transport). Method: Shortlisting by Application Form.

Essential Criteria (Section 2): Knowledge of UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative Standards; Knowledge of Northern Ireland Breastfeeding Action Plan 2026-2029; Demonstrates knowledge of and clinical expertise in lactation management. Competencies per the NHS Healthcare Leadership Model: Leading with Care, Influencing for Results, Holding to account, Inspiring Shared Purpose, Connecting our Service. Method: Interview.

Desirable Criteria (Section 3): Degree in Midwifery or other health related subject or equivalent; Trained in frenulotomy; Have a Lactation Consultant Course or equivalent. Method: Shortlisting by Application Form.

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

The successful candidate can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant and equivalent to the post. If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.

THE TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER
Successful applicants may be required to attend for a Health Assessment.
All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times.