Maternity Support Worker

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust; North East; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in North East England is seeking a Maternity Support Worker to enhance patient care during pregnancy and delivery. This role involves vital tasks such as providing support under supervision, conducting clinical observations, and offering public health information. The ideal candidate will have relevant qualifications, including NVQ 3, and skills in numeracy, literacy, and Microsoft Office. The job requires strong personal attributes like adaptability and the ability to work under pressure, and an enthusiasm for engaging with the healthcare team.

Qualifications

• 5 GCSEs or equivalent essential for the role.
• 3 A-Levels or equivalent preferred.
• NVQ 3 in relevant field or equivalent required.

Responsibilities

• Support the work of registered and non-registered practitioners.
• Conduct maternal and neonatal observations.
• Provide public health information and support families.

Skills

Numeracy and literacy skills

Microsoft Office

Excellent telephone skills

Education

5 GCSEs or equivalent

3 A-Levels or equivalent

NVQ 3 in relevant field or equivalent

Commitment to completing care

Certificate

Commitment to undertake further training

Job description

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Maternity Support Worker

The closing date is 13 January 2026

The maternity team at the University Hospital of North Durham seeks an enthusiastic individual who is keen and passionate about delivering and promoting maternity care in the acute hospital setting. Maternity Support Workers provide care to mothers, birthing people, their newborn infants and families through pregnancy, labour and during the postnatal period. Their role is integral to the successful deployment of maternity services.

Job responsibilities

Maternity Support Workers (MSWs) work in line with the NHS Maternity Support Worker competency, education and career development framework. The successful applicant will be provided with the appropriate training.

Support workers in maternity settings may:

• Support the work of registered and non‑registered practitioners.
• Work under direct or indirect supervision, and/or as lone workers where appropriate.
• Work across service settings and professional boundaries according to the needs of women, their newborn infants and their families and local service provision.

Key clinical tasks include maternal and neonatal observations, required escalation, venepuncture and personal care. MSWs also provide public health information on healthy lifestyles, smoking cessation and safe sleeping, and support families in their chosen feeding method in line with UNICEF standards.

About the trust

We provide hospital services from two acute sites – Darlington Memorial Hospital and the University Hospital of North Durham – and additional care from community hospitals and over 80 community‑based settings, including patient homes.

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

Person Specification

Qualifications

• 5 GCSEs or equivalent
• 3 A‑Levels or equivalent
• NVQ 3 in relevant field or equivalent
• Commitment to completing care
• Certificate
• Commitment to undertake further

Special Skills & Knowledge

• Numeracy and literacy skills
• Microsoft Office
• Excellent telephone skills

Personal Attributes

• Used to working in a busy environment and under pressure
• Adaptability, flexibility and ability to cope with uncertainty
• Willing to engage with and learn from peers and other professionals
• Professional calm and efficient manner
• Methodical and effective organiser
• Ability to work independently
• Punctual
• Confidence to liaise with other members of the multi‑disciplinary team and be courteous, patient and helpful at all times
• Reliable and honest
• Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post

Values & Behaviours

• Demonstrable commitment to and focus on quality, promoting high standards to consistently improve.
• Demonstrable skill to work together to serve our community through delivering safe and excellent clinical care.
• Values diversity and difference, operates with integrity and openness.
• Treats others with compassion, empathy and respect.
• Shares information openly and effectively with patients, staff and relatives for collective success.

Experience

• Knowledge of acute hospital or community setting with patient contact position in maternity care.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) will be required to check for any previous criminal convictions.