CDDFT Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership Lead

Job summary

Are you passionate about shaping the future of maternity and neonatal care for mothers, babies and families in County Durham & Darlington?

County Durham and Darlington Maternity and Neonatal services place huge value on the voices of the families we care for and recognise the role of the service user as a crucial part of the overall development of the maternity and neonatal service. We are seeking a current or recent user of Maternity or Neonatal services in CDDFT to work alongside our current MNVP lead. This role is perfect for an individual dedicated to improving maternity and neonatal services, fostering engagement and collaboration with women and families from the diverse communities we serve.

This is a volunteer role with an honorarium payment agreement for services and expenses

*subject to confirmed ICB MNVP funding 26/27

Main duties of the job

An MNVP is a team of women/ birthing people and their families, commissioners and providers, working together to review and contribute to the development of local maternity and neonatal care.

MNVPs serve the needs of local women and families, gathering feedback and advising Local Maternity and Neonatal Systems (LMNSs), expert clinical groups and those commissioning services from a service user perspective.

All women, partners and families can get involved with their MNVP by giving feedback or becoming service user representative.

Membership of an MNVP may include:

Maternity service users and families (they must make up at least a third of the group)

Clinical and managerial representation (midwives, obstetricians, neonatologists, managers, communication services, patient experience team)

Charities and advocacy groups

Commissioners

Statutory partners, including Healthwatch

The MNVPs help shape decision making and the way services are designed and developed. They can provide an avenue to act as a critical friend and make sure that anything which impacts women and their families is considered.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

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 provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We 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.

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

We are unable to sponsor roles that do not meet the minimum salary requirements. please check the UK immigration skilled worker rules for information.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Details

• Date posted: 01 June 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: Depending on experience
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Part-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working
• Reference number: C9439-2627-628-1
• Job locations: Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust, Hollyhurst Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL3 6HX, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

We don't expect you to have all of these skills and experience to start with and we will help you to develop them. A genuine enthusiasm for learning is important for this role.

The type of duties may include:

Communication, Engagement, Inclusivity and Diversity

Ensure accessible engagement for all service users and communities particularly for neonatal, underrepresented groups and bereaved families.

Use social media to support engaging with and gathering insights from women/birthing people and families about their experiences of maternity and neonatal care.

Champion the voices of women and families and positively challenging when needed.

Plan, attend and chair formal MNVP meetings.

Ensure all stakeholders are able to contribute to meetings.

Seek to create an inclusive environment where all feel welcome and represented

Actively seek out voices of underrepresented groups using innovative engagement strategies

Induct and provide ongoing support to new service user reps.

Networking with other MNVPs Leads within the region and build strong relationships with those leads in neighbouring trusts to share ideas and promote seamless services.

Build strong influential relationships with providers, commissioners and local system partners at all levels in order to facilitate co-production in transformation, safety agendas and decision making.

Work in partnership with the current MNVP lead to ensure service user voices are represented at Trust meetings (Including but not limited to: MatNeo Safety Champion meeting, perinatal governance, Safeguarding Audit Governance Education, Evidence based practice group, Perinatal Mortality Review Tool).

Work alongside the maternity service to ensure it remains responsive to changes in service user needs in line with current evidence and practice.

Coproduce the MNVP workplan and budget requirements with members of the MNVP and maternity and neonatal leadership.

Lead on 15 Steps site visits to identify areas for improvement in relation to quality and safety of maternity and neonatal services from service user perspective.

Desirable Skills and Experience or willingness to develop.

Ability to work creatively, respectfully and collaboratively.

Good listening skills and experience of advocacy.

Willingness to develop skills to be able to confidently speak to large groups and interact with multiple stakeholders.

An interest in working in partnership with healthcare organisations or programmes.

Ability to display sound judgement and objectivity.

Ability to promote equality and diversity.

Understand and respect the need for confidentiality.

Understand and be familiar with the principles of co-production.

Knowledge of the Three Year Delivery Plan and the NHS Long-Term Plan commitments around maternity and neonatal care.

Alignment to the following selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, leadership. (Seven principles of public life', known as the 'Nolan Principles': https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-7-principles-of-public-life/the-7- principles-of-public-life)