Clinical Lead Health Visitor: Infant Feeding

This clinical lead post sits within Whittington Health's Barnet health visiting service and centres on infant feeding. The postholder supports the Infant Feeding Coordinator to raise breastfeeding rates, including audit and training towards Baby Friendly Level 1. The role also delivers universal health services in designated Barnet areas and supports the Healthy Child Programme as part of an integrated service. Applicants need a health visiting, midwifery or nursing qualification with entry to the third part of the NMC register.

• Lead infant feeding support across the health visiting teams, working with the Infant Feeding Coordinator
• Support audit and training to maintain and develop Barnet's Baby Friendly commitment, aiming for Level 1
• Provide clinical infant feeding expertise to staff, parents and health partners
• Assess local need and plan, deliver and evaluate infant feeding training and workshops for health visiting staff and others
• Deliver Universal Health Services to designated areas of Barnet
• Support and enhance delivery of the Barnet Healthy Child Programme as part of an integrated service
• Develop integrated protocols with Early Years and other specialist colleagues that support the Infant Feeding Strategy
• Provide infant feeding expertise and support to Community Nursery Nurses, Health Visitors and partners working with families
• Lead delivery of the Infant Feeding Strategy with colleagues and partners
• Plan, carry out and evaluate audits, research and innovation, particularly relating to the Baby Friendly Initiative
• Initiate and take part in Quality Improvement projects using recognised methodology
• Act as an expert, evidence-based resource for integrated teams on infant feeding and child development

• Health visiting, midwifery or registered nurse professional qualification, degree level or equivalent
• UNICEF breastfeeding and relationship building training

• NMC registration, with entry to the third part of the register

• Evidence of applying knowledge of emotional and physical wellbeing in the antenatal period and of transition to parenthood
• Willingness to lead change, with knowledge of managing change at operational level
• Knowledge of audit and Quality Improvement methodology, and of co-production

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• High clinical skills to identify, respond to and evaluate health needs, including public health programmes
• Infant feeding skills and knowledge, including baby brain development, feeding support and relationship building
• Knowledge of Baby Friendly accreditation, infant feeding legislation and guidance, and Healthy Child Programme legislation and guidance
• Knowledge of how to structure and deliver training at all staff levels

• Ability to manage and delegate to staff safely, and to set objectives and manage time, priorities and stressful situations
• Understanding of safeguarding, child protection and clinical governance, and the ability to make decisions in these areas
• Ability to work as part of an integrated team across organisational and professional boundaries
• Commitment to excellent services that improve outcomes for children, with evidence of continuing professional development
• Awareness of equal opportunities and valuing diversity

• Excellent performance in UNICEF Audits
• Leadership modules at Level 6 or 7
• UNICEF Train the Trainer facilitator and/or additional infant feeding training
• IBCLC qualification
• Experience in breastfeeding audit

• Career development support
• Outer HCAS included in the stated pay