Job overview
Provide specialist support and advice on issues relating to the safeguarding of children.
Provide education for all health care professionals working in maternity caring for vulnerable families.
This midwife will act as a resource for other members of the multidisciplinary team and be able to demonstrate knowledge and competence in the specialist role.
The specialist midwife will take the operational midwifery lead for safeguarding children.
Assist the Directorate and the staff in their duty to protect children from harm and assist with ongoing development of the safeguarding agenda within maternity services.
The specialist midwife must ensure that policies and guidelines for the Safeguarding children are up to date and based on latest evidence.
Main duties of the job
Provide expert advice to midwives and other colleagues, to enable all staff to offer high-quality, individualised care to vulnerable groups, providing supervision and support to multi-professional staff in relation to safeguarding children.
Support the Named Midwife for Safeguarding and act up in their absence.
The post holder will be a midwife practising autonomously attending women during the antenatal, intranatal and postnatal periods.
This job description reflects the present requirement and objectives of the post, it does not form part of your contract of employment. As the duties of the post change and develop the job description will be reviewed and will be subject to amendment, in consultation with the postholder.
Working for our organisation
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.
You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.
We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.
All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.
Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Interviews are conducted as Values Based.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The post holder will maintain own clinical skill and competencies
Ensure that at all times the interest and well-being of babies are paramount, whilst continuing to act as an advocate for their mothers.
Developing individualised plans of care in conjunction with other appropriate services to ensure the safety of the mother and newborn and the transition of care to other health professionals
Ensure agreed actions identified within individual management plans are being undertaken
To provide specialist advice and support regarding the ongoing day to day safeguarding concerning the health, safety and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults.
To provide supervision/case management guidance to staff within the safeguarding process, promoting good standards of record keeping
To assist staff in making timely referrals to appropriate agencies and services
Advise and support staff in the management of sensitive and complex matters concerning safeguarding children
Provide direct support to maternity colleagues when conflict arises with clients and or external agencies
Attend strategy meetings and case conferences as a support for staff or as a representative of the Trust, when required
Encourage a holistic, non-judgemental approach to vulnerable groups of clients
To ensure that women receive evidenced based information
To assist in the completion of adoption documentation on behalf of the Trust
To assist in the reporting process of child deaths
Collect and manage submission of nationally required data such as that pertaining to female genital mutilation etc.
To assist in the Child Safeguarding Practice Review process, specifically in the implementation of findings and recommendations. This will also include the learning from internal management reviews.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Registered Midwife
2. Evidence of study into safeguarding
Desirable criteria
3. Safe guarding qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
4. Minimum of 3 years post qualification
5. Safeguarding experience
Desirable criteria
6. Experience of supervision
Knowledge
Essential criteria
7. Awareness of Working Together to Safeguard Children
Desirable criteria
8. Awareness of local safeguarding children board’s guidance.
Personal Skills
Essential criteria
9. Leadership and motivational skills
10. Able to work in stressful situations
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
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.