Transition to Fatherhood Support Worker - Health in Pregnancy Service
Construction of the new integrated critical care unit was completed in 2018, extension of a Neonatal Unit and an approved plan to build a brand new, state of the art Emergency Department which commenced in 2021
We provide high quality, friendly and effective community health services from multiple sites covering Walsall. Our multidisciplinary services include rapid response and homebased care, so that those with long term conditions and the frail elderly can remain in their own homes.
We are recommended by colleagues as a place to work which is supported by the trusts values to work as part of a team, being respectful, compassionate and professional. We are committed to investing in our workforce
Following our recent CQC visit the Trust was rated as outstanding for care and this has been recognised by NHS Improvement.
The work we do is highly rewarding, and in addition to an attractive salary, we offer a valuable range of benefits, including: salary sacrifice scheme; car leasing scheme; on-site staff accommodation (subject to availability); the ability to retain your NHS pension (where applicable) or the opportunity to join an alternative scheme; and the opportunity to develop and implement your expertise in an encouraging yet challenging environment
We would particularly welcome applications from people from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background and from people with a disability; these groups are currently under-represented at senior level, we value diversity within our Trust and are working to achieve equality in our recruitment.
COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst COVID-19 vaccination is not a condition of employment at this time, we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated.We will be checking the vaccination status of all new starters so that we can manage individual and environmental risks, and so that we can support those who may be undecided about vaccination. If you are unvaccinated there is helpful advice and information at COVID-19 Vaccination | How to access your vaccine in the Black Country and West Birmingham (blackcountryandwestbirmccg.nhs.uk) where you can also find out more about how to access vaccination.
There is a current Government consultation underway which will determine whether some new starters may need to be vaccinated.
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is proud to be part of the Armed Forces Covenant. The Trust currently holds the Bronze Award which underlines the Trust’s commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community. As an organisation, we are aiming to achieve the next level Silver award, with our sights firmly on Gold.
RESPECT - COMPASSION - TEAMWORK - PROFESSIONALISM
Job overview
This is an exciting opportunity for a transition to Fatherhood Support Worker to work in the Health in Pregnancy Service.
The post holder will offer a “lived experience“ of the health and social support needs of Walsall fathers to be, their partners and families during pregnancy, following birth and up to six months after the baby is born. Key areas of practice will include:
**Previous Applicants need not apply**
PLEASE NOTE, WE MAY CLOSE THIS VACANCY EARLY IF WE RECEIVE HIGH NUMBERS OF APPLICATIONS.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide sensitive and infant-led support to men and their pregnant partners in within both hospital and community settings, and will work directly with individuals, families and groups to provide support for infant feeding, healthy pregnancy, mental health, health and social support.Support will be provided both face and face and over the telephone/virtual, where appropriate.
The Fatherhood Support Worker will implement programmes of care under the guidance and direction of Health in Pregnancy Nurses and the Health in Pregnancy Clinical Lead, working within prescribed best practice parameters and reporting back on progress.They will be required to act on their own initiative when delivering care in client’s homes, but will have access to clinically led supervision
Working for our organisation
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is an integrated Trust and the only provider of NHS acute care in Walsall, serving a population of 284,300. It provides inpatient and outpatient services at the Manor Hospital as well as a wide range of services in the community.Walsall Manor houses the full range of district general hospital services under one roof. The £170 million development was completed in 2010, and ongoing upgrades ensure the Trust now has state-of-the-art facilities, including a Critical Care Unit, Neonatal Unit, Obstetric Theatre, and Integrated Assessment Unit.
A new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre, opened in March 2023, has significantly improved emergency care facilities and capacity, providing almost 5,000 square metres of additional clinical space.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding Support:
- To share with expectant fathers the importance of breastfeeding for their unborn and their role in supporting their partners.
- Develop links with key health professionals, community workers and volunteers delivering support for men’s health and infant feeding best practice.
- Promote and advise parents on safe sleeping and preparing for a safe environment in the home following the birth of the baby;
- Signposting and providing information on health and wellbeing to men and their pregnant partners and families to optimise health outcomes for both parents / caregivers
- Smoking cessation and smoke free homes,
- Paternal mental health
- Healthy lifestyles
- Home Safety
- To assist the Health in Pregnancy Service with any health promotion or health education activity within the hospital or community
- Collate resources and set up rooms for clinics and activities and ensure there is a safe environment for parents to be to receive information.
- Sensitively assist expectant fathers in accessing appropriate services and advocating for their health and wellbeing.
- To act in a professional and sympathetic manner with men and their partners/families whilst maintaining the client’s privacy, dignity and confidentiality according to Caldicott Principles and Trust Values.
- Communicate effectively with men and their families, using evidence bases practice and social marketing, reassurance, tact and empathy and where there may be barriers to understanding.
- To be able to respond to distressing, emotional circumstances in the course of carrying out their duties e.g. when working with all including disadvantaged families;
- Maintain good working relationships with Maternity and other Services, and the wider 0-5 service, working flexibly and collaboratively with other departments, specialities and organisations.
- Be accountable for own professional activities within the limitations of personal expertise, scope of practice and agreed knowledge and skills framework.
- Make decisions on the complexity of the client’s issues and when to refer on or work with the individual within their Scope of Practice.
- To escalate areas of concern to Health in Pregnancy Nurse where it is indicated the expectant father, partner or the unborn is deem to be at risk.
- Plan and prioritise their own workload, undertaking recording and administration of contacts on designated, approved electronic systems.
- Work flexibly within a pressurised environment where workloads and client demands can be unpredictable and it is necessary to move between tasks.
- Manage resources effectively & ensure safe use of equipment used by self or patients
- Participate in appraisal and learning activities and development appropriate to the role
- Participate in service evaluation and patient feedback consultation
Person specification
Qualification and training
Essential criteria- NVQ 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent experience
- Able to read and write to a good standard
- A willingness to develop skills
Experience
Essential criteria- Involvement in community/hospital work in a related area, undertaking health education/advice for expectant fathers
- Experience of working in group settings in a related area – e.g. fathers support group, antenatal support for expectant fathers
- Experience in providing support to expectant fathers on a one to one basis in a confidential setting.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria- Knowledge and understanding of the lived experiences that affect expectant fathers (paternal mental health, unemployment, lack of understanding of the role of the father, care of the new born, impact of smoking in pregnancy, relationship conflict and how this affects the unborn).
- Understanding of local support services/agencies for signposting, particularly in relation to expectant fathers and their partners families during pregnancy and postnatally
- Knowledge of child protection/safeguarding
- Knowledge of basic computer skills to maintain databases and maintain records (e.g. Word, Excel, IT, Patient Administration Systems for record keeping)
- Awareness of UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative best practice standards
Please note your application will be transferred from the NHS Jobs system to internal Walsall Healthcare Trac System. All correspondence will be sent via Trac
Following our recent CQC visit the Trust was rated as outstanding for care and this has been recognised by NHS Improvement.
** Please Note that this post may be identified as suitable and a preference given for Internal at Risk Employees**
We would particularly welcome applications from people from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background and from people with a disability; these groups are currently under-represented at senior level, we value diversity within our Trust and are working to achieve equality in our recruitment.
IMPORTANT NOTE ON COMPLETION OF REFERENCE SECTION OF APPLICATION FORM
References from current and previous employers will be sought and must cover a minimum of 3 years employment. When completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover this period.Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.
Please review the attached Job description and person specification carefully before applying to ensure that you meet the essential job requirements.
Candidates should be aware that, regardless of country of origin, their ability to communicate in written and spoken English to the standard required to carry out the post, will be assessed during the selection process.
Referee email addresses should be provided on your application form.
Following the closing date, if you have not heard from us within 6 weeks you may assume your application has been unsuccessful.
We reserve the right to close this job early. Interested applicants are therefore advised to apply as early as possible.
If a large number of applicants meet the essential criteria then random selection will be applied.
We are committed to operating flexible working practices wherever possible and committed to equal opportunities.