Job summary An exciting opportunity for an experienced practitioner in Infant feeding with lactation experience, is being offered in Barking and Dagenham to support Breast Feeding. The Specialist Infant Feeding Practitioner (SIFP) will be providing leadership in infant feeding and specialist evidence-based support to families with more complex needs. They will lead delivery of the infant feeding remit and will be responsible for a service providing high quality infant feeding support to parents and carers, and regular training and advice to professionals. In line with the Barking and Dagenham "Best Chance" Strategy, and the Start for Life and Family Hubs' model, this post is crucial to establishing a supportive culture towards infant feeding; this support enables parents/carers in Barking and Dagenham to make an informed choice about feeding their baby in a way that optimises nutrition and develops a close, and loving parent-child relationship. The SIFP post holder must provide safe, competent and evidence-based care whilst demonstrating specialised knowledge and clinical expertise in breastfeeding and human lactation.Ideally, the post-holder is a qualified and registered Health Visitor and Lactation Consultant with clinical credibility and influence to speak as an advocate for Baby Friendly It is expected that the successful applicant does not hold a certificate from the IBLC, they will undertake the training within the 6 months of starting the role Main duties of the job Be responsible for developing and delivering family-centred patient care by providing coordination and management of care for parents; this would involve assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating lactation plans for the breastfeeding parent. Provide specialist one to one support to families who have complex breastfeeding or post-partum issues Work with the Breastfeeding Peer Support service to provide clinical supervision to volunteers and staff, Develop and deliver breastfeeding training for the wider workforce, in accordance with UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) Work with the Local Authority Public Health team, Infant Feeding operational leads and other infant feeding partners to contribute to an Infant Feeding Strategy for the borough. Perform consultations, oversee rentalof lactation equipment and supplies, support telephone triage, and deliver prenatal education as appropriate Educate parents and carers on the benefits of breastfeeding for mother and infant; Line management responsibility for the Infant Feeding & Beyond Health Practitioner role, providing clinical oversight and development to the post-holders Attend and co-chair the Infant Feeding Operational Leads' group and Infant Feeding Strategy group meetings. Lead by example and display a leadership style that empowers staff through development. Lead on designated infant feeding projects to ensure effective communication and standardisation of practice About us Starting with NELFT NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop in sessions focusing in engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex. Probationary Period This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff). High Cost Area Supplement - London This post attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (minimum payment of £4,551 and a maximum payment of £5,735 per annum pro rata). Certificates of Sponsorship Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points based system. Date posted 17 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £46,148 to £52,809 a year plus HCAS per annum Contract Fixed term Duration 12 months Working pattern Full-time Reference number 395-BD010-25 Job locations Thames View Clinic Bastable Avenue Barking IG11 0LG Job description Job responsibilities Taking the leadership with infant feeding and supporting infants, children and their families on early nutrition Direct line management of Infant feeding health practitioner Providing evidenced based practice and training to health team who are working with family Work in partnership with other agencies, including statutory and voluntary groups, making referrals and consulting (as necessary) with the consent of clients and within the policies of the Trust. Contribute to any ongoing BFI standards audits, clinical audits and other governance programmes in relation to the post holders own activity Develop and monitor the use of patient experience within the service and use these to inform service transformation. Use of AI Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability. Job description Job responsibilities Taking the leadership with infant feeding and supporting infants, children and their families on early nutrition Direct line management of Infant feeding health practitioner Providing evidenced based practice and training to health team who are working with family Work in partnership with other agencies, including statutory and voluntary groups, making referrals and consulting (as necessary) with the consent of clients and within the policies of the Trust. Contribute to any ongoing BFI standards audits, clinical audits and other governance programmes in relation to the post holders own activity Develop and monitor the use of patient experience within the service and use these to inform service transformation. Use of AI Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability. Person Specification essential Essential Registered Midwife or Health visitor Degree Regsitered with IBLC or comitment to register within forst 6 months of appointment Minimum of 5 years working as Health Visitor/ Midwife Demonstrates skills to assist the lactating mother with feeding position, correct latch, supplementation, use of handheld and electric breast pump, hand expression, and cup, spoon and syringe feeding. Experience Experience of providing breastfeeding support to families with complex needs Experience of providing training and/or supervision in area of practice Knowledge of the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative accreditation, including its aims, approach and the requirements of accreditation Knowledge of current evidence-based approach and research related to breastfeeding Experience developing and delivering training of infant feeding to multi disciplinary services from health, family hubs, third sector and voluntary services Project management skills including the development of project plans Desirable Unicef BFI or La Leche League Train the trainer, Nursing or Midwifery qualification, Holistic Sleep qualification, Nutrition qualification Masters in Infant feeding / Nutrition Minimum of 3 years' experience of providing specialist infant feeding and lactation support Ability to prioritise specialist breastfeeding delivery in a professional manner, taking into account Trust and Council policies and procedures essential; Essential Degree in Nursing/ Specialist Desirable Masters qualification in public health or nutrition Essential Essential Experience of leading/ delivering breast feeding Desirable leading services with experience of co delivery with non nhs providers essential Essential Providing hands on support to diverse families and providing personalised care Desirable experience of QI and coproduction Person Specification essential Essential Registered Midwife or Health visitor Degree Regsitered with IBLC or comitment to register within forst 6 months of appointment Minimum of 5 years working as Health Visitor/ Midwife Demonstrates skills to assist the lactating mother with feeding position, correct latch, supplementation, use of handheld and electric breast pump, hand expression, and cup, spoon and syringe feeding. Experience Experience of providing breastfeeding support to families with complex needs Experience of providing training and/or supervision in area of practice Knowledge of the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative accreditation, including its aims, approach and the requirements of accreditation Knowledge of current evidence-based approach and research related to breastfeeding Experience developing and delivering training of infant feeding to multi disciplinary services from health, family hubs, third sector and voluntary services Project management skills including the development of project plans Desirable Unicef BFI or La Leche League Train the trainer, Nursing or Midwifery qualification, Holistic Sleep qualification, Nutrition qualification Masters in Infant feeding / Nutrition Minimum of 3 years' experience of providing specialist infant feeding and lactation support Ability to prioritise specialist breastfeeding delivery in a professional manner, taking into account Trust and Council policies and procedures essential; Essential Degree in Nursing/ Specialist Desirable Masters qualification in public health or nutrition Essential Essential Experience of leading/ delivering breast feeding Desirable leading services with experience of co delivery with non nhs providers essential Essential Providing hands on support to diverse families and providing personalised care Desirable experience of QI and coproduction 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). 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 NELFT North East London Foundation Trust Address Thames View Clinic Bastable Avenue Barking IG11 0LG Employer's website https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)