Associate Director of Midwifery

FREEDOM TO ACT The ADOM is responsible for the development and delivery of clinical and professional standards, and the required leadership and management capability within Maternity services. This will form part of the agreed objectives, standards and constraints within the Family Health Care Group. The ADOM will work with the DOM and the senior leadership team to lead the development and review of maternity service planning priorities to meet the needs of the public, the Boards vision and priorities, and wider NHS requirements including commissioners. Work within broad organisational or legal parameters and interpret and establish how this is implemented in practice. COMMUNICATION/RELATIONSHIP SKILLS To act as ambassador for LWH in the ADOM role ensuring that the needs and views of the Trust are fairly represented in external (including National) forums and media relations and that the opportunities are taken to enhance the reputation of the Trust. To ensure that the Director of Midwifery and LWH Divisional Directors are kept always updated on all relevant Maternity issues and developments including actions required to meet key priorities. To be accountable for Governance in Maternity services reporting to the DOM and Care Group governance structures alongside representing the service at Care Group and Divisional Governance meetings. To act as a role model in the maintenance of Trust values and the behaviour required to embed them in the organisation and to ensure all staff in Maternity Services embodies those values and behaviours. To ensure effective communication (and communication pathways) with the ICB/LMNS, NHSE Regional Maternity Team, Care Quality Commission (CQC) and all other external organisations. Along with the DOM work in partnership with partners to develop the strategic direction for Maternity services through the Local Maternity and Neonatal System. To maintain staff morale by effective and complex communication, leadership and participation with the Care Group Teams and with other services, as appropriate. To ensure effective communication pathways with service user groups and individuals. To develop and maintain strong, effective working relationships internally, in particular with obstetrics and Neonatal colleagues. Advocate professional standards and maintain high level communication with all clinical teams. Provide leadership in clinical/medical situations where sensitivity and integrity are needed, i.e. safeguarding, witness at coroners inquests. To work collaboratively with the Care Group teams to deliver corporate performance, strategic and financial objectives. Provide leadership to Maternity Clinical Leaders, Quality and Safety Team, Matrons, Ward Managers, ensuring appropriate opportunities for them to participate in leadership development. The ADOM is accountable for ensuring that mechanisms are in place internally at all levels within midwifery teams to deliver the Safeguarding agenda, working closely with the Safeguarding Team. The post holder will participate in an on call out of hours rota. Effective ongoing communication is required both written and verbal e.g. to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive and/or contentious information where well developed persuasive, motivational or diplomacy skills are required. The ADOM will lead with integrity and honesty, leading by example whilst striving for a psychological safe culture for staff and service users. ANALYTICAL/JUDGEMENTAL SKILLS Support and implement highly complex programs of work which deliver the Trusts strategy and corporate objectives, NHS priorities and stakeholder requirements. To lead the development and integration of robust governance arrangements across maternity services, specifically oversee the audit and clinical guideline development programme, ensure learning from incidents and complaints, ensure robust incident handling and ensure learning is put into practice. To contribute to assurance that all regulatory and risk management requirements are satisfactory to enable and lead highly complex system and control processes which will establish safe and consistent service delivery and monitoring arrangements. To lead the process for assurance for maternity services through implementation of the Trust governance framework, ensuring the provision of safe and consistent services. Act promptly to mitigate identified risks and proactively reduce risks through action plan delivery and governance leadership. To provide highly visible professional leadership, motivation and support to all staff. To lead the development of the maternity service with the multi-professional team. To interpret changes to policy, strategy and commissioning relating to maternity services and to ensure that the Director of Midwifery and LWH Divisional Directors are informed of any impact on the Trust. To review and manage midwifery contracts and service level agreements providing expert advice. To use the outcomes from audit, complaints and risk management to influence changes to training, operational practice and education within maternity. PLANNING/ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS To ensure the delivery of key performance indicators, targets and standards. This will require the collection, analysis and presentation of appropriate performance information, monitoring and identifying any areas of under/over performance with the development of appropriate, remedial action. Develop a competent and flexible workforce for the maternity service ensuring the opportunities for training and development are identified. The ADOM is responsible for the preparation of a range of complex written documents including reports, strategies, annual business plans and business cases. Deliver the Maternity Departments strategy and relevant annual objectives. Work with teams to create an open and honest culture and drive for improvement. Ensure the maternity workforce are compliant with Birth Rate Plus National workforce planning tool for midwifery and to employ Professional Judgement. Work with the DOM in liaison with clinical teams, consult upon, develop and deliver a strategic vision for maternity services. Undertake review and implement change to the model of maternity care to ensure that it is in line with local and national policy and meet the needs of women and their families. Responsible across the maternity service as the infection control lead, displaying visible and clear leadership and robust actions to reduce the risk of healthcare associated infections. Performance management of all clinical areas within the maternity unit with the development of performance metrics, with specific responsibility for clinical governance issues, HR and Finance.