Hackney Community-Based Infant Feeding Peer Support Service

Award outcome

Description

The London Borough of Hackney wishes to procure a Community-Based Infant Feeding Peer Support service. The service will be an easily accessible, highly publicised and information-led service based on NICE guidelines. It will establish a network of trained, peer supporters (voluntary and paid) to expand and improve infant feeding support, working alongside midwifery, health visiting services, children centres and family hubs (opening dates to be announced further to consultation) to create a flexible, seamless, system-wide pathway of support from conception onwards. The aim of the service is to support mothers to continue breastfeeding, and to support those mothers who are unable or do not wish to continue to breastfeed whilst continuing to promote responsive feeding, bonding, and secure attachments between mother and infant. The objectives are to: support mothers to continue breastfeeding to a minimum of 6 - 8 weeks and beyond support those mothers who are unable or do not wish to continue to breastfeed promote responsive feeding, bonding, and secure attachments between mother and infant The types of services that are expected to be delivered include: The recruitment and training of peer supporters (volunteers and paid) who are representative of the community Ensuring all parents have access to one-to-one practical help, early on the ward to support breastfeeding initiation, responsive feeding and relationship building during the immediate postnatal period Proactively offering, tailored, one-to-one support in a range of settings for those least likely to engage with services for as long as it is needed, through home visits, phone calls and out of hours Provide breastfeeding support in the mothers first language Reminders and follow-ups Support at ante-natal and baby weighing clinics. Provide peer support groups held at Children's Centres, Family Hubs and other community locations Provide drop-in sessions, with access to creche facilities Support ante-natal and baby weighing clinics. Working in partnership with midwives, health professionals, and children centre/family hub staff to provide a seamless pathway of care. Providing tongue tie assessment Providing equipment on loan (breast pumps), and sensitive support for parents to use it The contract duration will be 2 years from November 2023. The anticipated total value of this contract will be a maximum of £400,000 over 2 years (£200,000 per annum).

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