Job overview

As an Infant feeding peer supporter you will be working with new mothers to support them with feeding their babies in the first few weeks and months. You will facilitate  feeding groups across our family hubs and you will offer support, information, signposting and advice to mothers on breast feeding and infant feeding.

We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers who have breast fed (for one day or 2 years!), or have worked closely with breastfeeding families. A good standard of education to NVQ Level 2 in Health, social and / or child care is required for the role, and lived experience of some of the challenges children, young people and families face in our communities is valuable in these roles.

In the feeding groups breastfeeding groups you will create a welcoming environment for new mothers, sharing information and support, setting up and clearing away activities, and providing a listening ear and emotional support. 

This is a 4 day post and the post holders will be aligned and based within the  0-19 Growing Healthy Service, Infant feeding team.  They will build a positive culture of support for babies, children and families across Gateshead through responsiveness and activity to meet local need.

A good package of training and supervision will be provided, with support for career development.

Main duties of the job

To support mothers, children/young people and their families with low level issues around infant feeding, particularly breastfeeding. 

To support parent/infant relationships and promote sensitive and attuned parenting to develop secure attachments.

Help build a positive breastfeeding culture in communities, provide low level Breastfeeding support through groups, responsive to requests from women.

Support with the Joint delivery of Infant feeding parenting programmes, both national evidence based programmes and Gateshead specific parenting programme.

Support in ensuring Gateshead 0-19 maintain their UNICEF BFI accreditation. 

Working for our organisation

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust (HDFT) cares for the population in Harrogate and the local area, as well as across North Yorkshire, Leeds and parts of the North East. 

At HDFT we provide outstanding care to both our patients and our staff and we value Kindness, Integrity, Teamwork and Equality. If you’re looking for an interesting and rewarding career in the NHS, where you can make a real difference to patients’ lives, HDFT could be the place for you! 

We offer colleagues:

• A supportive culture so colleagues can bring their whole selves to work.
• Staff Recognition - as well as regular appraisals, we recognise achievements with our Making a Difference & Team of the Month Awards, along with annual Colleague Recognition Awards.
• Employee Support and wellbeing – we offer a wide range of staff benefits including an Employee Assistance Programme, counselling service and a fast-track Physiotherapy service. 

Please note:

• Due to high levels of interest, posts may close early if we reach a sufficient number of applications
• Visa sponsorship is only available for certain roles. Please ensure the role you are interested in meets the criteria for a visa before submitting your application. 
• Please also be aware that the Trust does not offer relocation packages for Agenda for Change roles.