Midwifery Support Worker - Befriender Role
Midwifery Support Worker - Befriender Role

Midwifery Support Worker - Befriender Role

Huddersfield Full-Time 20900 - 22300 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support midwives in providing care to birthing people and families, ensuring their needs are met.
  • Company: Join Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, a leader in compassionate healthcare.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, part-time options, and the chance to work from home.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of birthing people while gaining valuable experience in healthcare.
  • Qualifications: GCSEs in English and Maths or equivalent; care qualifications preferred.
  • Other info: Opportunities for training and development in a supportive environment.

The predicted salary is between 20900 - 22300 £ per year.

Main area Midwifery Support Worker – Befriender Role Grade NHS AfC: Band 3 Contract 12 months (Fixed Term (secondment considered)) Hours

  • Full time
  • Part time
  • Flexible working

37.5 hours per week (up to 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday (flexible working required)) Job ref 372-FSS2822-A

Employer Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Community (Huddersfield and Calderdale) Town Huddersfield and Calderdale Salary £24,937 – £26,598 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 20/07/2025 23:59

Midwifery Support Worker – Befriender Role

NHS AfC: Band 3

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT) are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics.

We are committed to recruiting to our values. Leading One Culture of Care underpins our values by creating an environment, tone and behaviours across all parts of the Trust that are fundamentally rooted in compassionate care.

We are open to considering a wide range of flexible working arrangements. There are opportunities to flex the days of the week, hours and times of work and place of work including: part-time, job-share, flexible working hours and the possibility to work from home when appropriate. Please talk to us during the interview process to discuss any flexibility that you may require.

We received our Silver Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme which is helping actively promote SaBRE – Supporting Britain’s Reservists and Employers. This means that we provided its statement of intent to support all Defence personnel and we welcome application to work for us. Find out more – Why Choose CHFT?

Our Future Plans

The Department of Health and Social Care has awarded capital funding to invest in local health services at both Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary. This is a significant investment and an opportunity to enhance services for our populations in Calderdale and Huddersfield and West Yorkshire for generations to come. To find out more, please visithttps://future.cht.nhs.uk/

Job overview

The Maternity Support Worker Befriender will support the midwifery team in the provision of optimum midwifery care, planned by the midwife to birthing people, babies and families within the hospital/community setting.

The overarching responsibilities are to support and provide continuity to birthing people who are at high-risk of health inequalities, including migrants, asylum seekers and refugee people accessing maternity care.

The post holder will act as an advocate for birthing people and their families, liaise with maternity services and community groups to help birthing people navigate the maternity system.

Main duties of the job

  • To assist the midwife in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care of birthing people, babies and families
  • Undertake basic care planning and decision making regarding how care is delivered, under the direction of a registered midwife
  • To provide additional support for birthing people and families with complex clinical or social needs either in community/hospital setting
  • To support and assist birthing people to achieve successful infant feeding in accordance with the local policies and guidelines, giving clear and consistent information
  • To actively be involved in health promotion including smoking cessation, breastfeeding, bonding, emotional and mental health needs
  • To escalate concerns regarding the care of birthing people, babies and families to the midwife
  • To establish and maintain good interpersonal skills and communicate between maternity staff, external agencies and birthing people and their families
  • Ensuring information is communicated in appropriate language to ensure clear understanding
  • Be aware of the needs to patients in relation to their privacy and dignity and regarding different cultures and religious beliefs
  • Act as an advocate for birthing people’s needs at maternity appointments
  • Support and encourage engagement in other services.
  • Facilitate small groups of birthing people to provide support, information and isolation preventio

Working for our organisation

We employ more than 6,500 staffwho deliver compassionate care from our two main hospitals,Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary as well as in community sites, healthcentres and in patients’ homes. We also are incredibly proud to have almost 150 volunteers here at CHFT.

We provide a range of services including urgent and emergency care; medical; surgical; maternity; gynaecology; critical care; children’s and young people’s services; end of life care and outpatient and diagnostic imaging services.

We provide community health services, including sexual health services in Calderdale from Calderdale Royal and local health centres. These include Todmorden Health Centre and Broad Street Plaza.

We continue to modernise and invest in our health services to build on our strong reputation.Foundation trusts are public leaders in improving quality in health services. They are part of the NHS– yet decisions about what they do and how they do it are driven by independent boards. Boardslisten to their Council of Governors and respond to the needs of their members – patients, staff andthe local community.

Foundation trusts provide what the health service wants, yet are also free to invest quickly in thechanges to the local community needs, in striving to be the best, and in putting their patients first.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • To assist the midwife in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care of birthing people, babies and families
  • Undertake basic care planning and decision making regarding how care is delivered, under the direction of a registered midwife
  • To have the ability to organise their own daily workload, be flexible and adaptive to the needs of the service
  • Work flexibly following procedures, guidelines and best working practices within a confidential environment
  • To provide additional support for birthing people and families with complex clinical or social needs either in community/hospital setting
  • To support and assist birthing people to achieve successful infant feeding in accordance with the local policies and guidelines, giving clear and consistent information
  • To actively be involved in health promotion including smoking cessation, breastfeeding, bonding, emotional and mental health needs
  • To escalate concerns regarding the care of birthing people, babies and families to the midwife
  • To establish and maintain good interpersonal skills and communicate between maternity staff, external agencies and birthing people and their families
  • Ensuring information is communicated in appropriate language to ensure clear understanding
  • Be aware of the needs to patients in relation to their privacy and dignity and regarding different cultures and religious beliefs
  • To work within own sphere of practice and be aware of their limitations
  • Be flexible and willing to undertake additional training to meet changing service needs
  • Maintain clear, accurate, legible and timely written documentation
  • Assist with consultation and examination as required, within your sphere of practice
  • Act as an advocate for birthing people’s needs at maternity appointments
  • Support and encourage engagement in other services, such as parent and baby groups and ESOL classes
  • Facilitate small groups of birthing people to provide support, information and isolation prevention
  • Be a driver with own vehicle to attend homes, community settings and hospital appointments across Calderdale & Huddersfield
  • Perform relevant observations i.e. pulse, blood pressure, temperature and urine testing

Person specification

QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING

  • English and Math GCSE grade 9-2 (A*-E) or equivalent or high level of literacy and numeracy skills demonstrated within application
  • Competence based level 3 qualification e.g. NVQ or Diploma in Care or The Care Certificate issued by an employer
  • Willingness to undertake any training or development relevant to the role
  • BFI Training or equivalent
  • Basic counselling skills/training
  • Training in safeguarding

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

  • Demonstrate a commitment to a caring profession
  • Understands the importance of record keeping
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Experience of working with birthing people and families
  • Insight into the roles and responsibilities of the post
  • Experience of working within the NHS
  • Experience of providing high quality care
  • Experience of working across interprofessional or multidisciplinary teams and different organisations
  • Experience of working with migrant, asylum seekers and refugee people

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES)

  • Ability to communicate appropriately in written and spoken English
  • Friendly, honest and approachable
  • Compassionate and kind
  • Good organisation skills
  • Ability to speak additional languages

Our vision is to provide One Culture of Care for one another in order that we can provide compassionate care for the people who use our services. We are passionate about creating a workplace where we work together to get results, encouraging colleagues to have their say, in order to co create the change we want to see. We take pride in the diversity of our workforce that’s why we encourage applications from all.Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants.

Please ensure your application is submitted with referees who can verify your employment/education history over the last three years and include valid email addresses for them. We will request electronic Factual Employment References from your previous employers. These references will be requested before you are issued with an unconditional offer of employment letter.

Candidates who require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the United Kingdom can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for this position by assessing their circumstances against the criteria specified on theCheck if you need a UK visa – GOV.UK website. We encourage all applicants to review these criteria carefully to understand their eligibility for sponsorship.

If you are appointed to a post, information will also be transferred into the NHS Electronic Staff Records system. The Inter-Authority Transfer (IAT) process is a critical and beneficial component of ESR and following interview your previous NHS employment data, if applicable will be transferred from your current / most recent employer.

You may be required to undertake a DBS. The Trust will administer the DBS check on your behalf and will recover the cost (Enhanced £54.40, Standard £26.40 or Basic £26.40) from your salary when you commence in post (including Internal staff). You will also be required to participate in the DBS Update Service and pay the £16 cost per year. This is a condition of your employment.

CHFT is part of the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT), a collaborative of the NHS hospital trusts from across West Yorkshire and Harrogate working together to provide the best possible care for our patients.

If you have any questions please contact ask.recruitment@cht.nhs.uk for assistance.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Joanne Machon Job title Maternity Matron Email address joanne.machon@cht.nhs.uk Telephone number 07721858862 Additional information

Janine Burgin

Community Midwife Manager (Calderdale)

janine.burgin@cht.nhs.uk (07909965932)

Rachael Cartledge

Community Midwife Manager (Huddersfield)

rachael.cartledge@cht.nhs.uk (07887563708)

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Midwifery Support Worker - Befriender Role employer: Transformationunitgm

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a compassionate work culture that prioritises the well-being of both staff and patients. With flexible working arrangements, opportunities for professional development, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the community. Located in the vibrant towns of Huddersfield and Calderdale, staff benefit from a supportive environment that values their contributions and encourages collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.
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Contact Detail:

Transformationunitgm Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Midwifery Support Worker - Befriender Role

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of birthing people, especially those from diverse backgrounds such as migrants and asylum seekers. Understanding their unique challenges will help you demonstrate your commitment to compassionate care during interviews.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with current or former employees of Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust. They can provide valuable insights into the work culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach when discussing your fit for the role.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your experience in health promotion and support for families with complex needs. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully assisted individuals in similar situations, as this will highlight your suitability for the Befriender role.

✨Tip Number 4

Show your flexibility and willingness to adapt to the needs of the service. During the interview, emphasise your ability to work under pressure and your readiness to undertake additional training, as these qualities are highly valued in the NHS.

We think you need these skills to ace Midwifery Support Worker - Befriender Role

Compassionate Care
Interpersonal Skills
Communication Skills
Basic Care Planning
Understanding of Health Inequalities
Advocacy Skills
Ability to Work Under Pressure
Experience with Diverse Populations
Organisational Skills
Flexibility and Adaptability
Basic Counselling Skills
Knowledge of Infant Feeding Practices
Health Promotion Knowledge
Record Keeping Skills
Teamwork and Collaboration

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the Midwifery Support Worker - Befriender Role. Focus on any previous work in healthcare, especially with birthing people and families.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for midwifery support and your understanding of the challenges faced by birthing people, particularly those from diverse backgrounds. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your advocacy skills.

Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly list any qualifications or training that meet the job requirements, such as NVQs or diplomas in care. If you have additional training in safeguarding or counselling, make sure to include that as well.

Showcase Communication Skills: Since the role requires strong communication abilities, provide examples of how you've effectively communicated with patients or families in past roles. Mention any experience working with diverse communities or languages.

How to prepare for a job interview at Transformationunitgm

✨Show Your Compassion

As a Midwifery Support Worker, compassion is key. Be prepared to share examples of how you've demonstrated empathy and care in previous roles, especially when working with vulnerable groups like migrants or those facing health inequalities.

✨Understand the Role

Familiarise yourself with the specific duties of the Befriender role. Highlight your understanding of supporting birthing people and families, and be ready to discuss how you can assist midwives in providing optimal care.

✨Communicate Clearly

Effective communication is crucial in this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and consider how you would explain complex information to someone from a different background or with limited English proficiency.

✨Demonstrate Flexibility

The job requires flexibility in hours and tasks. Be ready to discuss your adaptability and willingness to take on various responsibilities, as well as any relevant experiences that showcase your ability to work under pressure.

Midwifery Support Worker - Befriender Role
Transformationunitgm
Location: Huddersfield
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