Homebirth and Midwifery Led Care Team Lead

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust Homebirth and Midwifery Led Care Team Lead

The closing date is 09 July 2026

This advert is only open to applicants who are currently employed by County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.

We have an exciting opportunity for midwives who are passionate about supporting women to birth in low-risk settings, and who can demonstrate excellence, kindness and compassion, to come and lead our new team of experienced midwives providing excellent low-risk care. The post holder will carry shift leader responsibilities when on duty, which includes allocation of workload, skill mix, staffing levels and an overview of the patient numbers and bed availability on the midwife led unit.

The post holder will be able to deal with unpredictable high levels of clinical activity to include assessment planning, implementation and evaluation of midwifery care in a safe environment. The role will involve participating actively across Trust during heightened levels of increased activity, liaising directly with colleagues to maintain safety in the MLU teams and the home birth team within both units.

The post holder will provide effective leadership and specialist advice, assistance and direct support, with a range of complex situations whilst complying with trust policy and guidelines. The post holder will be responsible for the safe running of the midwife led unit and homebirth services.

The post holders will be responsible for the smooth and safe running of the MLU, will take overall charge of the MLU and support of the homebirth team, each in both the north and south of the Trust.

The role comes with management responsibilities and management time will be allocated where possible for this. The post holder will have some responsibility for a group of 6 midwives for appraisal and development.

The post holder will undertake appraisals, be involved in the development of services, dealing with complaints and engaging in multidisciplinary team working and team working across Trust.

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services from two acute sites, Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We also have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Knowledge and skills

The post holder will be expected to act independently as a practicing midwife in accordance with the midwives rules and standards (NMC
2012) and The Code (2018).

The MLU/Home Birth Team co-ordinator will need an in-depth knowledge of all Trust policies and guidelines that are applicable to labour ward, obstetrics and midwifery care.

To lead on care planning for each individual woman and help midwives with evaluation and escalation to the medical team as required.

Will ensure knowledge is maintained and updated with regard to Revalidation, mandatory training, local and national policy development, NICE, self-development and reflection and innovation for evidence-based practice. The post holder will also be responsible for the development of others as a mentor, preceptor and appraiser.

Be fully conversant with the arrangements of activating and participating in all emergency procedures including skills drills.

Will be actively involved in promoting the health of women and babies to support the public health agenda.

To remain skilled clinically and to teach others those clinical skills in areas of expertise and professionalism, to include clinical skills such as care of the low-risk woman, water birth, promoting normal birth in a low risk setting and at home, IV cannulation and management of emergencies in a low-risk setting.

Will be knowledgeable in safeguarding of children and adults procedures and able to identify any issues within families and be aware of local policy and guidance.

To maintain their skills and assist other midwives to safely utilize equipment for the provision of maternity care.

Management

Will have overall responsibility for the effective management of staff and resources within the maternity unit on a shift-by-shift basis.

To be actively involved in the recruitment and retention of staff.

To be responsible for education, training and development of staff within maternity services using positive performance management, within defined resources and following the strategies of the directorate.

To develop the service and team, including ways to improve performance and ways to challenge poor behaviours and…