Hillingdon Breastfeeding
Peer Support Worker
Application Pack
Sending your application:
1. You can take you application for to the Children’s Centre where you are applying
to be a volunteer.
2. If you will be volunteering at the Hillingdon Hospital can you send you
application form to: Kelly Kinsella, Alexandra ward, Maternity Unit, Hillingdon
Hospital, Pield Heath Road, Middlesex, UB7 3NN (Kelly.Kinsella@thh.nhs.uk).
Thank you for taking the time to apply to become a Breastfeeding Support Worker. It is really
important that you take time to read the information below before completing the application
form. Becoming a volunteer is a commitment, but one that you can fit around you and your
home life - reading the ‘Code of Conduct’ will be helpful in giving you some information about
what is expected of you in the role of a volunteer.
Hillingdon Breastfeeding Peer Support - Code of Conduct
 The role of the Peer Supporter is to provide polite and friendly, evidenced based information
rather than advice.
 As a Peer Supporter it is essential to be trustworthy and approachable, ensuring the use
listening skills.
 Peer supporters will have completed a Peer Supporters’ Training programme; having
completed the required elements of the training and completed the CRB process prior to
commencing unsupervised support. Further training will be given in safeguarding children,
infection control, confidentiality and fire safety. Occupational health screening is also a
requirement prior to commencing volunteer work.
 All Peer Supporters will be mindful of importance of confidentiality. Confidentiality should be
maintained both whist volunteering and following sessions. Peer Support workers should
adhere to the THH and Children’s Centre confidentiality Policies where appropriate.
 Further to confidentiality, it is important to stress to parents that in some circumstances it may
be appropriate to pass relevant information to a trained professional if there are concerns
which the peer supporter deems beyond their capacity. This may be appropriate for example in
the case of safeguarding children and adults.
 The will be an expectation for peer supporters to attend regular supervision sessions with the
Infant Feeding coordinator/ Breastfeeding Coordinator/ or Children’s Centre manager.
Supervision sessions will be provided as either group or individual sessions; if these sessions
are not accessible other arrangements should be made to ensure supervision is achieved.
Supervision is essential to continue to work with Hillingdon Breast Friends, individual
circumstances will be negotiated, yet supervision is not optional.
 Volunteer working hours will be negotiable as and when circumstances allow, there is an
expectation that the volunteer will fulfil the hours negotiated with the service lead.
 Peer Supporters should act with tact and sensitivity at all times, treating people as individuals.
 Peer Supporters should be non-judgemental when meeting other mothers, ensuring that
respect and dignity are maintained at all times despite difference of opinion or lifestyle.
 When taking ones own children to drop-in sessions care should be taken to ensure that
children are safe and under observation.
 Peer Supporters should refer to appropriate professionals when in doubt or encountering
situations beyond their remit of information giving. It may be appropriate to refer mothers to
one of the national breastfeeding help lines for further assistance.
 Documentation in the Child Health Record (red book) should be completed to ensure both
continuity of information giving and maintain a record of the information given.
 Personal telephone numbers should not be given to women who have received support,
maintaining a professional distance is important.
 Peer Supporters should communicate a positive message regarding healthcare professionals
within Hillingdon (midwifery and health visiting service) despite any feelings of negativity
regarding ones own personal experience.
 The Peer Support drop in sessions should not be used to advertise or promote other ventures
or personal enterprises that have not been authorised by Hillingdon Hospital or the PCT or
Children’s Centres (this also applies to religion).
 Difficulties, problems or complaints should be taken directly to the Infant Feeding Coordinator
at THH (if appropriate) or the Children’s Centre manger.
 A period of one month notice is required when leaving the role as a peer support worker, you
will be very much part of a team, and your services are extremely valued.
Training to be a Breastfeeding Peer Support Worker
You will receive a local qualification as a Hillingdon Breastfeeding Support Worker having completed a
12 week programme (2.5 hours a week) which is based upon the ‘UNICEF - Baby Friendly Initiative
Breastfeeding Management Course’.
In order to gain the qualification you must attend all 12 sessions.
If you have qualifications in health related professions, you may complete an accelerated 2 day
breastfeeding management course which is completed by Hillingdon health professionals.
The programme will include volunteer skills and boundaries in preparation to your new role. You will
be trained to understand the mechanisms of breastfeeding and problem solving, in order to work
alongside health professionals and children centre staff in supporting women and their families.
As part of either the children’s centre team or the hospital team, further training is required to bring you
to a safe standard that is required as a member of staff. A variety of training techniques may be used
to ensure that you have the skills essential for your role. This may include e-learning (a computer
based training package in safeguarding children for example). Or as a member of the hospital team, a
full day induction to the hospital, which is specifically for the volunteer role.
The training venue will be in a local community based children’s centre, where crèche facilities can be
negotiated. Refreshments will be available. All buildings have wheelchair access.
Please contact Kelly if you have any questions regarding training.
Kelly Kinsella (Hillingdon Hospital)
Infant Feeding Coordinator - Kelly.Kinsella@thh.nhs.uk
Hillingdon Breastfeeding
Peer Support Work
Application Form
Personal Details
Title
First Name
Surname
Address
Town
County
Tel. (daytime)
Date of Birth:
Postcode
Email:
/
/
How did you hear about becoming a breastfeeding support worker?
Using the box below (and section on the next page) can you give an outline as to why you
would like to become a volunteer and what skills you have for this role? (Skills / Training /
Previous work / Voluntary work details):
Availability
Please tick the sessions that you could be available to give time on a regular basis.
Saturday
AM
PM
EVE
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Additional comments: (you may use this space to give any extra information)
The following information will be used for our statistics and equal opportunity monitoring purposes only
Gender:
Please circle
Male
Female
Which age group are you in? Please circle
Under 15
15 – 18
19 – 25
26 – 29
30 – 34
35 – 39
40 – 44
45 – 49
50 – 54
55 – 59
60 – 64
Over 65
What is you current employment status? Please circle
Employed
House person
Retired
Unable to work
Non employed
Unemployed
How would you describe your ethnic background?
Any Other Background
Bangladeshi
Black African
Black Caribbean
Chinese
Indian
Other Asian Background
Other Mixed Background
Other White Background
Pakistani
White & Asian
White & Black African
White & Black Caribbean
White British
White British English
White British Scottish
White British Welsh
White British Irish
Student
What languages do you speak?
Do you have any disabilities? Please circle
Yes
No
If Yes; Please describe your disability,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Is your disability registered?
Yes
No
Can you list the details below of two people who will be a reference for you.
This cannot be a friend of family member. They can be a current or previous employee, a
health professional or a member for a voluntary agency.
1) Name:
Job/ role/ position:
Address:
Telephone number(s):
Thank you for taking the time to complete the above details, please include this sheet with
your completed registration form.
How do you know this person?
Have they been informed that you are applying for this post?
2) Name:
Yes/ No
Job/ role/ position:
Address:
Telephone number(s):
How do you know this person?
Have they been informed that you are applying for this post?
Yes/ No
Office use only
Date and time of Interview_________________________________
Interviewer________________