Maternity Support Worker
What is a career as a maternity support worker in health and social care?
A maternity support worker assists midwives and healthcare professionals to provide both clinical and emotional support to expectant mothers, new parents, and newborns.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Working under the direction of a midwife, roles and responsibilities can include:
- Assisting midwives in antenatal clinicals by undertaking routine observations like taking blood pressure, urine check and weight checks, providing health education on healthy pregnancy, nutrition and foetal development, assisting during labour and birth by preparing delivery rooms and equipment, providing emotional support to mothers when expecting, during labour and post delivery recovery.
- Support with postnatal and newborn care by helping with newborn checks e.g. weighing, measuring, bathing, supporting with guidance on breastfeeding and bottle-feeding and assisting with mother’s recovery, hygiene, and mobility after childbirth.
- Some administrative and practical support around updating patient records and medical charts, restocking supplies, maintaining cleanliness in maternity wards and providing advice on baby care e.g., safe sleeping, bathing, feeding.
Entry routes and pay
There are no set entry requirements but expect a good standards of English and Maths and some may ask for qualifications such as GCSEs, NVQs or equivalent.
A starting salary of £23,615 with opportunity to progress up to £25,674 with experience and additional training.
Where can you work?
Community
Hospital
