Maternity support worker

You could do a college course to get into this job. Relevant subjects include:

• Level 2 Certificate in Work Preparation for Health and Social Care
• Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care
• Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care

Most health and social care courses include work placements so this could be a good way of getting experience.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

You could get into this job through an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship as a healthcare support worker.

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

You could start as a healthcare assistant and learn on the job. You could move into maternity work through further training and promotion.

You'll find it useful to get some paid or unpaid voluntary experience in a healthcare setting or a role working with children and families.

You could contact the voluntary services co-ordinator at your local NHS trust for further advice.

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got relevant skills and experience from work like child care or health-related roles.

Employers may ask for a qualification in a child care or health-related subject, and experience of working with people.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a maternity support worker from Health Careers.

You'll need:

• knowledge of neonatal health and medicine
• customer service skills
• sensitivity and understanding
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• thinking and reasoning skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to use your initiative
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks, as you may be working with children and vulnerable adults

As part of your day-to-day duties, you might:

• share information with midwives about the condition of mothers and babies
• help to deliver care plans
• provide women with support to help them look after themselves and their baby on their own
• provide support to families in labour wards and maternity theatres
• help with parenting classes
• collect statistics, keep records up-to-date and make sure that procedures are followed
• help on wards and other clinical areas

You could work in an NHS or private hospital, in the community or at a client's home.

Your working environment may be physically demanding.

You may need to wear a uniform.