Job summary

The successful candidates will work as part of the Integrated Family Hub Team, undertaking a range of activities including supporting breastfeeding and emotional health, parenting activity and training, delivering interventions to support child development, home learning and speech and language development.

The post holders will be aligned and based in a Family Hub, providing direct access to the 0-19 Growing Healthy Service and supporting signposting and access to the right services, professionals and workers to meet family’s needs. They will build a positive culture of support for babies, children and families across Sunderland through responsiveness and activity to meet local need.

We are looking for candidates who have a passion for working with children and families, good communication skills and the ability to engage with people on a one to one and group basis. Experience of working in community settings is desirable.

A good standard of education to NVQ Level 2 is required for the role, and lived experience of some of the challenges children, young people and families face in our communities is valuable in these roles.

A good package of training and supervision will be provided, with support for career development.

Main duties of the job

To support mothers, children/young people and their families with low level issues around infant feeding, managing emotional health, or general areas of concern.

To support parent/infant relationships and promote sensitive and attuned parenting to develop secure attachments.

Help build a positive breastfeeding culture in communities, provide low level Breastfeeding support through groups, responsive to requests from women.

Help reduce stigma around mental health and increase confidence through wellbeing walks.

Provide low level parenting support, through home learning, supporting child development, speech and language, child accident prevention and school readiness.

Support with the Joint delivery of parenting programmes, both national evidence based programmes and Sunderland specific parenting programme.

Support with addressing food insecurity; Healthy Start initiatives; Fun and Food initiatives; reducing isolation within communities.

About us

Working for your organisation At Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust we provide ‘outstanding’ care to both our patients and our staff. We support staff through benefits, health and wellbeing initiatives and opportunities for personal and professional development.

o An inclusive and supportive culture – our Trust encourages staff to bring their whole selves to work and active Staff Networks identify areas for improvement. o Staff Recognition – as well as regular appraisals, we recognise staff with our Making a Difference, Team of the Month Awards & Colleague Recognition Awards o Employee Support and wellbeing – we have a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, counselling service and fast track physiotherapy service for employees. o Staff Benefits – We have a range of staff benefits and schemes to support staff health, engagement, wellbeing and inclusion

As part of the national Family Hub and Start for Life developments, we have an exciting opportunity to appoint Family Peer Supporters aligned to our five Family Hubs across Sunderland. These are new posts supporting the universal offer of easy access and “one stop shops” for families to support their health and wellbeing, access early help and advice and receive the right support for their needs.