Specialist Midwife for Perinatal Mental Health

Job overview

The specialist midwife for perinatal mental health will have a key organisational role in developing and maintaining high standards of care for women with mental health problems during pregnancy and the immediate postnatal period. You will be an innovative practitioner and an effective change agent promoting evidence based practice

Main responsibilities include providing support and midwifery care for women with mental health problems during pregnancy and the postnatal period in conjunction with the perinatal mental health team and neighbouring Mother and Baby Unit. You will work closely with women to plan and coordinate their care based on their individual needs. You will be involved in maintaining current standards in care pathways and policies for women with mild, moderate and severe mental health problems booked at Homerton Hospital; close liaison with relevant hospital and community based professionals; offering advice to maternity service staff and organising on-going mental health training for midwives, doctors and other health care practitioners. You will be an active member of the Maternity Safeguarding Team, providing support, advice and liaison when required.

**This advert may close earlier than the closing date due to a high number of applicants**

Main duties of the job

You will provide a link between the maternity service and other services involved in mental health care for women, including the local primary care therapy service (IAPT), maternal mental health service (OCEAN) and the perinatal mental health team. You will ensure that relevant pathways, policies and processes to identify women with, or at risk of, or with existing mental illness are developed, implemented and audited. This will involve working with a range of relevant professionals, services and agencies, including commissioners and the public health team.

The post holder will be based both within the maternity safeguarding team and the perinatal mental health service. The role encompasses liaison with other agencies as well as teaching, support and empowerment of all clinicians involved in maternity care including: obstetricians, midwives, student midwives, and maternity support workers in relation to mental health issues in pregnancy. Evidence of continued education should be demonstrated.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s on this page.

The person specification below is not the full person specification but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.