We are hiring – Senior Doula

by | 15/ Feb/ 2023 | Blog | 0 comments

Bethel Health and Healing Network is looking to expand its Doula Team by providing an excellent opportunity for a reliable, resilient, and self-motivated professional Doula to join our diverse, close-knit team. Predominantly covering the Sandwell area, the ideal candidate should have experience providing emotional pregnancy support to vulnerable women.

JOB DESCRIPTION – BETHEL DOULA SERVICE

ROLE SUMMARY

ROLE: SENIOR DOULA (Sandwell area)

RESPONSIBLE TO: Doula Service Manager

BASED AT: Jericho Building, 196-198 Edward Road, Birmingham, B12 9LX

SALARY: £26,536.77 FTE (pro-rata £15,164)

HOURS: 20 hrs per week – 1 year contract (Possibility of extension subject to funding)

BENEFITS: 25 days annual leave + 8 public holidays (pro rata). Contributory Pension scheme

Summary: To support the expansion of the Bethel Doula Service into the Sandwell area of the Black Country. This is a 12 month pilot project, with the possibility of extension subject to funding.

The Senior Doula will be responsible for undertaking outreach visits to the addresses of newly referred pregnant women and undertaking a structured but sensitive assessment of their needs, assigning volunteers and birth partner support as appropriate. They will also be responsible for carrying the Doula Service mobile phone on a rota basis, taking call, and actioning them as appropriate out of office hours.

Bethel Doula Service is currently funded by the NHS to provide and practical support to vulnerable and isolated pregnant women who are often refugees or asylum seekers.  Our clients’ needs are complex, all are socially isolated and often have high anxiety over the birth, because of the many pressing life issues they constantly face (e.g. immigration, housing, wider health service access).  Access to antenatal classes is difficult, and difficulty in speaking or understanding English can cause breakdown in communication.  They may have fled their home country very quickly due to threats or actual violence towards them. Our volunteer doulas provide on-call support as birth partners, as well as ensuring access to NHS maternity services and to charitable support from food and clothing banks.  They also continue to support mothers after the birth of their baby in helping them develop baby care skills, to successfully breastfeed and to access family services.  They also act as advocates when dealing with key healthcare agencies.

Duties:

  1. To undertake initial visits of women referred, inform them of the service, assess and document their needs, and assign volunteers as necessary
  2. Maintain accurate records of visits and assessments, and ensure that information is updated and stored securely in the individual file.
  3. To be responsible for carrying the Doula Service mobile phone on a rota basis, taking calls out of office hours and assigning volunteer doulas as appropriate
  4. To assist in the recruitment and selection of new volunteers.
  5. To support and assist in the induction of new volunteers, on the initial and subsequent visits
  6. To organise and assign a team of volunteers to support a service user, providing birth partner support and or giving advice.
  7. To assist in the completion of evaluation forms throughout the period of supporting the service users.
  8. To attend monthly team meetings, sharing information and experience through reviewing of cases.
  9. To attend designated training as organised by the service.
  10. To meet monthly with the Doula Service Manager for supervision and support, to agree and review workplans, and to discuss any ongoing issues.
  11. To undertake supervision of allocated volunteers.
  12. To attend internal and external meetings to report on progress of the service and to promote and represent the Doula Service where necessary
  13. To deputise for the Doula Service Manager when on leave, if required.
  14. To meet regularly with Doula Service Manager for supervision and to agree and review work plan
  15. To attend Safeguarding case reviews and meetings as required.
  16. To work within and adhere to all Bethel’s policies and procedures.

Person Specification:

Essential:

  1. Caring, compassionate and non-judgemental
  2. High level of self-motivation and ability to work on own initiative
  3. Proven track record in working with vulnerable people in a community setting
  4. Health or Social Care qualification
  5. Experience of working in maternity or clinical service delivery
  6. An enthusiastic and positive team player
  7. Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
  8. Experience of supporting and managing people
  9. Satisfactory DBS check
  10. A full driving licence and use of own transport

Desirable:

  1. Experience gained in a maternity, health or caring environment
  2. Understanding and experience of working with refugees and asylum seekers
  3. Experience of working in a multi-ethnic, multi-faith setting and with community groups
  4. ICT literate

To apply: email us your cv at santosh@bethelnetwork.org.uk 

or contact: margaret@bethelnetwork.org.uk for enquiries

As a Doula Champion, you might accompany expectant mothers to prenatal appointments, provide birthing support if needed, help new mums with newborn care and breastfeeding, and ensure they attend their 6-week postnatal checks. You become a trusted companion and advocate for mothers who might otherwise be alone or uncertain.

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You will receive accredited doula training from experienced professionals (led by an ex-NHS midwife) , covering birth coaching, maternal health, and safeguarding. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the skills and
confidence to support women one-on-one.

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This pathway is ideal if you are interested in maternity care or midwifery. It offers invaluable hands-on experience – from attending births (optionally) to postpartum support – giving you a taste of a career in maternal health. Many Doula Champions use this experience as a springboard into NHS roles, midwifery training, or paid doula work in the future.

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Key activities: You will provide one-to-one support through active listening sessions – this could be over the phone, via video call, or in person. You let people share their feelings, and you offer empathy and guidance towards further help if needed (such as suggesting community services). Often, just being there to listen can make a huge difference.

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Training provided: You will undergo intensive training in reflective listening and mental health first response. Our training (often delivered via Zoom over a series of sessions) will teach you how to handle sensitive conversations, maintain confidentiality, and know your boundaries . By completion, you’ll be a certified listening volunteer with skills applicable to counseling or psychology fields.

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Emphasize volunteer scope: Rapha Champions commit to at least an hour per week of listening support for a client after training , which can often be arranged flexibly. You might have regular weekly calls with a client for a period of time. There are also opportunities to facilitate group sessions or community support groups as you grow in experience.

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Benefits and career pathways: This pathway is perfect if you’re interested in mental health, counseling, or social work. The experience you gain – in communication, empathy, and understanding mental health – is highly relevant to careers in counseling, psychotherapy, mental health nursing, or community support roles. Rapha Champions have a pathway to progress into formal counseling courses or mental health roles in the NHS or voluntary sector.” (For example, mention “You could go on to become a paid listening service coordinator or pursue qualifications in therapy – the programme can open these doors.

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