There will be more higher-level maternity support workers (MSWs) employed in the future

There is likely to be an increase in the number of higher-level (Agenda for Change bands 3 and 4) MSWs employed in the future. Such roles may be subject to standards introduced for their training programmes. More workforce intelligence will be gathered about the role.

MSWs will perform a range of tasks across the maternity pathway from pre-conception (public health roles) to antenatal (such as providing one-to-one support for vulnerable mothers), intrapartum (vital sign monitoring) to immediate and longer-term postnatal care (breastfeeding support). MSWs will, if deployed correctly, increase capacity directly and indirectly (by freeing up midwives’ time) and improve patient outcomes.

Some of the information in this section is provided by stakeholders and expert groups, and does not necessarily represent the views of the CfWI.