Plymouth Latch-on Groups

Terms of Reference

Purpose of Plymouth Latch-on Groups

To provide breastfeeding support and information to pregnant and breastfeeding women, and their families.

Objectives

  • Provision of timely, appropriate and accurate breastfeeding information with respect for confidentiality and privacy
  • Provision of social support, within the context of breastfeeding promotion and support
  • Provision of a safe and welcoming environment where breastfeeding is the norm, and where it is possible to discuss and explore any issues relating to breastfeeding
  • To be inclusive and non-discriminatory
  • To offer signposting to other relevant family centred services/activities

Roles and responsibilities within the groups

Group facilitator: – A health practitioner, band 3 or above, who has had appropriate preparation for this role (i.e. has attended BFI or BFI equivalent management of breastfeeding training), and has been assigned to a named Latch On group.

The group facilitator will:

  • Create a welcoming and supportive environment
  • Provide expert breastfeeding advice if required and refer to other help if necessary
  • Provide support for volunteer breastfeeding peer supporters as required, offering a debrief at the end of the group session if needed
  • Assist with monitoring and evaluation of the group; ensure that attendance records, registration and evaluation forms are completed
  • Attend Plymouth Breastfeeding Forum on a regular basis
  • Facilitate attendance at the Breastfeeding Forum by a peer supporter
  • Complete e-pex regarding group attendance

1

Breastfeeding Peer Supporter – A volunteer, who has completed the Breastfeeding Peer Support training course. To have completed the Children’s centres volunteers’ process and received a satisfactory enhanced CRB check.

The peer supporter will:

  • Welcome newcomers to the group and help to maintain a friendly and welcoming atmosphere within the group
  • Offer encouragement, information and support to antenatal and breastfeeding women and their partners or significant others who attend the group.
  • Undertake reasonable duties that support the group delivery, as requested by the group facilitator e.g. maintaining attendance registers
  • If required, assist with the setting up and clearing away of equipment, refreshments etc
  • Ensure that all new group members receive the “Welcome to your local Latch On Group” leaflet
  • Encourage attendees participation in evaluation and monitoring
  • Attend Plymouth Breastfeeding forum
  • Encourage attendees to register with their local Children’s Centre

Group Members – Attendance will include any antenatal or postnatal women who are actively breastfeeding and/or have a positive attitude towards the benefits of breastfeeding. This may include mothers who have stopped breastfeeding but wish to train as a peer supporter. Supportive accompanying adults and family members are also welcome i.e baby’s dad, a friend, siblings or grandparent.

Group members will:

  • Be asked to read the “Welcome to your local Latch On Group” leaflet.
  • Be responsible for the safety and well being of their own baby / child(ren) whilst attending the group
  • Be aware that the purpose of the group is to promote, support and raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding
  • Be sensitive to the wishes of other group members with regard to privacy and confidentiality
  • Adhere to locally agreed policies and procedures within the facility i.e fire drills, hot drinks policy, photography policy etc.

Breastfeeding Link Specialist/ Community Public Health Nurse (S/CPHN) – Each Community Public Health Nursing team will have a nominated breastfeeding link specialist/ community public health nurse (band 5 or above) identified within their locality.

The link S/CPHN will:

  • Support the Latch On group by being available to provide expert breastfeeding knowledge and skills.
  • Provide the group facilitator, Children’s Centre and peer supporter with clear information regarding their contact details and arrangements for contacting them whilst the group is running.
  • Arrange for a suitable replacement contact, and communicate their details (as above) if the link S/CPHN is not available.
  • Maintain regular contact with the latch on group and peer supporters by visiting the group in person at least once a month.
  • Monitor the group’s compliance with the baby friendly initiative best practice standards and the breastfeeding policy.
  • Cascade relevant breastfeeding research and articles of interest to the group facilitator, team members, peer supporters and parents.
  • Inform the appropriate manager of any training requirements or resources needed , which will support the effective delivery and facilitation of the group
  • Address any concerns, staffing issues or complaints in a timely and appropriate way.
  • Share feedback, good practice, reflection and service improvement with peers, through the breastfeeding forum

Role of the Children’s Centre –

Children’s Centres are supportive of breastfeeding and the Latch On group network, whether held on the premises or elsewhere in conjunction with the local Children’s Centre.

Children’s Centre’s will:

  • Induct Peer supporters through their volunteer’s process and ensure they are familiar with relevant policies and procedures.
  • The Children’s centre will support the volunteer with expenses i.e. mileage.
  • Ensure that peer supporters and group facilitators are aware of how to report staffing difficulties/sickness.
  • In agreement with the group facilitator, link S/CPHN and peer supporter, define the level of support to be offered in organising and delivering the group
  • Promote the latch-on group within their usual publications and information provided to parents.
  • Maintain an accurate data base of peer supporters training needs, updates and mandatory checks i.e. Enhanced CRB check.
  • Wherever possible, support the delivery of training to peer supporters, through the provision of a venue and/or crèche
  • Through negotiation with the local peer supporters, identify the level of support to be offered through crèche/child care provision.
  • Be responsible for maintaining an accurate register of attendees, monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the group through an agreed framework.
  • Maintain effective communication with the latch-on group members, facilitator, peer supporters, link S/CPHN and breastfeeding coordinator.

Evaluation – Evaluation is an essential part of the Latch On groups and is undertaken on a regular basis. Children’s Centres support the registration and evaluation for the Latch On groups as part of their evaluation process. Feedback from evaluation will inform the development of the Latch On groups and of peer support and the role of breastfeeding peer supporters.

Dealing with Concerns – Complaints or concerns within a group should normally be dealt in the first instance with by the group facilitator but can be passed on to the Link S/CPHN, the Children’s Centre Lead or the Breastfeeding Co-ordinator as appropriate.

Child Protection / Safeguarding of children – Group facilitators, breastfeeding peer supporters and S/CPHN’s are all required to havereceived the appropriate level of child protection training. Any concerns for a baby or child’s safety, whether raised by a peer supporter or group member must be dealt with in accordance with the local Children’s Centre safeguarding policy. Immediate concerns arising within a group situation should be discussed initially with health practitioner, and agree what action to be taken. The health practitioner has a responsibility to inform the Children’s Centre manager/deputy and to follow PCT policy and procedures. In the absence of a health practitioner at the group, the appropriate S/CPHN, Children’s centre manager or Social services advice and assessment team must be contacted (01752 308600)

Revised February 2011

Denise Edgecombe

Sue smith

Jan Potter

Approved by the breastfeeding strategy group 01/03/11