Labour Ward Lead Midwife UK Visa Sponsorship

Job Description

Labour Ward Lead Midwife (Band 7)

Children Young People and Families Directorate
Yeovil District Hospital | Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is offering an exciting leadership opportunity for an experienced Band 7 Midwife to step into the pivotal role of Labour Ward Lead at Yeovil District Hospital. This post is ideally suited to an internal candidate who is passionate about high-quality intrapartum care and ready to influence service delivery at both a clinical and operational level.

This role combines hands-on clinical practice with strategic leadership. You will remain clinically active, working a minimum of one shift per week, while also leading the Labour Ward team, supporting staff development, and ensuring women and families receive safe, compassionate, and evidence-based care.

Joining us means becoming part of a supportive organisation where your leadership will directly shape maternity services and improve outcomes for families across Somerset.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership

You will lead by example, maintaining your own clinical competence and modelling best practice in line with the NMC Code, national guidance, and Trust policies. Your visible presence on the ward will promote confidence, safety, and woman-centred care.

Operational Oversight

You will manage the daily running of the Labour Ward, including workforce planning, rota management, patient flow, and escalation processes. You will respond proactively to operational pressures, ensuring services remain safe and effective.

Governance and Quality Improvement

A core part of the role involves leading clinical governance activities, including audits, incident investigations, complaint reviews, and performance monitoring. You will contribute to national maternity programmes such as the Maternity Incentive Scheme, embedding continuous improvement into everyday practice.

Team Development and Support

You will play a key role in recruiting, inducting, and developing midwives and maternity support workers. This includes conducting appraisals, providing mentorship and supervision, supporting wellbeing, and creating a positive, inclusive working culture.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

Working closely with obstetricians, anaesthetists, neonatologists, and wider healthcare teams, you will strengthen collaborative working and represent the Labour Ward at internal and external meetings.

Education and Training

You will support student midwives through placements, act as a practice supervisor or assessor, and contribute to essential training such as PROMPT, emergency skills drills, and mandatory updates.

Resources and Information Management

You will ensure equipment and stock are safe, available, and used efficiently, while promoting sustainability. Accurate clinical documentation, GDPR compliance, and effective use of maternity information systems will be central to your role.

About Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we are committed to supporting our people to thrive both professionally and personally. We offer:

• Flexible working arrangements to support work–life balance
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme
• A generous annual leave entitlement
• Ongoing learning and career development opportunities

You will also benefit from access to the Blue Light Card, providing discounts across retail, travel, dining, and leisure.

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

Why Live and Work in Somerset?

Somerset offers an exceptional quality of life, combining beautiful countryside, stunning coastlines, and easy access to vibrant cities such as Bristol, Bath, and Exeter, with London reachable in around two hours.

The area boasts excellent schools, a strong sense of community, and more affordable housing than many other parts of the UK—making it an ideal place to grow your career and build your future.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

• Registered Midwife with the NMC
• Educated to diploma or degree level (or equivalent)
• Neonatal Life Support qualification
• Level 3 safeguarding training for adults and children

Desirable Qualifications

• Evidence of ongoing professional development (Master’s level or equivalent)
• Mentor or practice assessor qualification
• Quality improvement training

Essential Experience

• Post-registration experience in a relevant maternity setting
• Experience in a leadership or developmental leadership role
• Proven ability to manage staff and handle challenging situations professionally

Desirable Experience

• Experience of rota or workforce management

Additional Essential Knowledge

• Strong understanding of safeguarding procedures for children and vulnerable adults
• Awareness of escalation processes and workforce absence management
• Up-to-date knowledge of national maternity initiatives impacting the service

Pre-Employment Checks

This role is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.

Visa Sponsorship Information

Applications are welcome from candidates who require Skilled Worker visa sponsorship and will be considered in line with Home Office guidance. Further details are available on the official UK government website:
https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Applicants applying from overseas may also be required to provide criminal record certificates from relevant countries in accordance with UK immigration rules.

UK Professional Registration

Applicants must hold current UK professional registration. Further guidance can be found via NHS Careers.

Informal Enquiries and Application Support

For further information or support with your application, please contact:

Kate Beaumont
Email: kate.beaumont@somersetft.nhs.uk
Telephone: 07827 986097