Job summary An opportunity has arisen for an experienced midwife to support the perinatal mental health team on a12 months secondment. You will be responsible for providing extra support and care to some pregnant women with more severe mental health problems, in partnership with their own midwife and the specialist perinatal mental health team. You will work closely with women and their families to plan and coordinate their care based on their individual needs. Main duties of the job You will work closely with women and their families to plan and coordinate their care based on their individual needs. You will provide a link between the maternity service and other services involved in mental health care for women, including the local primary care therapy service (IAPT) and perinatal mental health team. You will ensure that relevant pathways, policies and processes for women with, or at risk of, mental illness are developed, implemented and audited. This will involve working with a range of relevant professionals, services and agencies. You will work alongside the safeguarding team to support women who cross the boundary of each specialist service, whilst also supporting the overall safeguarding team at times of need. You will support your colleagues through coordinating and providing training and guidance in maternal mental health for key maternity staff, to enable them to provide holistic care that optimises mental as well as physical health. You will be an innovative practitioner and an effective change agent, promoting evidence based practice. About us Proud of our workforce Our 7,500 staffare recruited from local communities and around the world Our staff rate us second among acute trusts in London as a place to work Despite challenges in the NHS, our low staff vacancy rate remains significantly better than the national average We are passionate about the health and wellbeing of our staff with a huge support offer, including our nationally-recognised free back-up care scheme and Timewise accreditation as a flexible employer We love to develop our people, offering a range of development programmes and apprenticeships, with our healthcare support worker apprentices winning Apprentice of the Year for two years running We offer a fantastic range of salary sacrifice schemes, from season ticket loans, bicycles and vehicles, to gym memberships, home electronics and holidays Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites. Date posted 10 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £51,883 to £58,544 a year per annum incl. HCAS. Contract Fixed term Duration 12 months Working pattern Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working, Compressed hours Reference number 289-SC-2374 Job locations Queen Mary Maternity Unit, West Middlesex University Hospital Twickenham Road Isleworth TW7 6AF Job description Job responsibilities Clinical / direct care practice Support, assist and advise women with, or at risk of, perinatal mental illness and their families to supplement the care provided by their midwives where necessary, for example working with women and their midwives to develop individual care plans, and making referrals to additional specialist support where required. Act as an advocate for women to ensure they get the specialist mental health care they need. Liaise with mental health services, and other services and partner agencies to ensure that women with severe mental illness are receiving active and effective care. This includes a close working relationship with the safeguarding team. Ensure research findings relevant to mental health are integrated into the practices and policies of the hospital. Encourage and take an active role in the evaluation of new approaches to practice. Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records of patients assessments, care and plans. Leadership and Collaborative Practice Understand the impact of poor maternal mental health on infants and other family members, and the role that maternity services can play in mitigating this. Develop and maintain a basic working knowledge of mental health legislation, policy and guidance. Provide a link between midwives, GPs, health visitors, obstetricians, specialist mental health services, safeguarding services (where applicable) and other agencies in relation to the care of pregnant women andnew mothers with mental health problems. Develop comprehensive care pathways for women and families affected by mild, moderate and severe maternal mental health problems in active collaboration with specialist perinatal mental health services and other providers of health services (e.g. GPs, Health visitors, IAPT services, 3rd sector organisations). Please see attached job description and person specification to this advert for further details. Job description Job responsibilities Clinical / direct care practice Support, assist and advise women with, or at risk of, perinatal mental illness and their families to supplement the care provided by their midwives where necessary, for example working with women and their midwives to develop individual care plans, and making referrals to additional specialist support where required. Act as an advocate for women to ensure they get the specialist mental health care they need. Liaise with mental health services, and other services and partner agencies to ensure that women with severe mental illness are receiving active and effective care. This includes a close working relationship with the safeguarding team. Ensure research findings relevant to mental health are integrated into the practices and policies of the hospital. Encourage and take an active role in the evaluation of new approaches to practice. Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records of patients assessments, care and plans. Leadership and Collaborative Practice Understand the impact of poor maternal mental health on infants and other family members, and the role that maternity services can play in mitigating this. Develop and maintain a basic working knowledge of mental health legislation, policy and guidance. Provide a link between midwives, GPs, health visitors, obstetricians, specialist mental health services, safeguarding services (where applicable) and other agencies in relation to the care of pregnant women andnew mothers with mental health problems. Develop comprehensive care pathways for women and families affected by mild, moderate and severe maternal mental health problems in active collaboration with specialist perinatal mental health services and other providers of health services (e.g. GPs, Health visitors, IAPT services, 3rd sector organisations). Please see attached job description and person specification to this advert for further details. Person Specification Education and Qualifications Essential Registered Midwife Degree or diploma in Midwifery or related subject Evidence of post-registration education Teaching and assessing/mentorship qualification Desirable Additional qualification in mental health counselling Experience Essential Substantial recent experience of working as a Registered Midwife Experience of working with women with complex needs Evidence of an interest in developing specialist knowledge in the area of women's mental health Proven leadership skills Evidence of delivering high quality teaching to staff groups Experience of working across a variety of midwifery settings Desirable Recent experience of research and audit Previous management experience Skills and knowledge Essential Excellent written and verbal communication skills Evidence of ability to influence and motivate others Management/ organizational / prioritization skills Ability to work autonomously and independently Computer literate: able to use word, email, excel and manage databases Desirable Ability to recognize the contribution of members of the MDT Person Specification Education and Qualifications Essential Registered Midwife Degree or diploma in Midwifery or related subject Evidence of post-registration education Teaching and assessing/mentorship qualification Desirable Additional qualification in mental health counselling Experience Essential Substantial recent experience of working as a Registered Midwife Experience of working with women with complex needs Evidence of an interest in developing specialist knowledge in the area of women's mental health Proven leadership skills Evidence of delivering high quality teaching to staff groups Experience of working across a variety of midwifery settings Desirable Recent experience of research and audit Previous management experience Skills and knowledge Essential Excellent written and verbal communication skills Evidence of ability to influence and motivate others Management/ organizational / prioritization skills Ability to work autonomously and independently Computer literate: able to use word, email, excel and manage databases Desirable Ability to recognize the contribution of members of the MDT Disclosure and Barring Service Check 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Address Queen Mary Maternity Unit, West Middlesex University Hospital Twickenham Road Isleworth TW7 6AF Employer's website https://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)