Current Vacancies
Here’s a list of current roles!
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Job Title: Maternal Wellbeing and Advocacy Caseworker (Doula)
Salary: £30,000 Pro rata equivalent
Hours: 4 days per week (30 hours) plus ‘on call’ periods
Contract: 2 years fixed term (with potential to extend)
Closing Date: 27/04/25
Interview Date: 06/05/25Job Summary
We are looking for a friendly and compassionate individual to join our team in Birmingham as we strengthen and expand the work of Elayos. The primary role is to provide the mother with emotional, physical, moral, and educational support. The successful candidate will train as a Doula (if not already trained) and will assist, support and work in collaboration with the Midwife and a wider multidisciplinary team (MDT) in order to provide a safe and holistic, trauma informed approach to person centred care.
Elayos Doulas do not advise, but take time to get to know their clients. They provide support to enable women to make informed decisions about their maternity care, filling a role that parents and families have always needed. The doula is there to listen, empower and not judge. Offering flexible, practical and emotional support in homes as well as in hospitals.
There is a requirement to assist a caseload of clients, support different kinds of births and parenting choices and to have periods of being ‘on call’ for births.
Elayos Vision & Values
Elayos exists to bring compassion, support and advocacy to vulnerable and isolated birthing people in Birmingham. As doulas, we come alongside, build relationships, listen and equip with the information needed to empower our clients to have a positive and informed pregnancy, birth and postnatal period.
Our staff and volunteers offer continuity of care as we assist with emotional, practical and physical needs. Elayos values the importance of trauma informed approaches and seeks to offer this to both staff and clients. Where appropriate, we signpost and collaborate with other organisations to ensure that the greatest range of support is given.
Working with us
At Elayos we are committed to promoting a positive working environment and recognise that balancing work and home life requires flexibility. We are continually striving to improve wellbeing opportunities for our staff and to build a diverse and inclusive team where our staff feel safe to be themselves. We believe this enables us to offer the best to our clients who need our support.
All employees receive:
30 days annual leave pro rata, plus bank holidays
Enhanced sickpay/maternity/adoption/shared leave provision
Investment in training and continued professional development
Support with health and wellbeing, such as Menopause
Opportunities for flexible working
Professional attitudes and responsibilities
The right candidate must…
Convey an approachable and professional manner to all mothers and their families and demonstrate an understanding of the importance of working in partnership with women, their families and other professionals.
Demonstrate an awareness of discriminatory attitudes and challenge this behaviour to promote equality. This will include recognising how to support people regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, Marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, Sex and Sexual orientation (Equality Act 2010)
Manage own time and caseload effectively, whilst prioritising care needs for women and their babies.
Understand the importance of maintaining professional boundaries for both the worker and the client.
Communicate effectively and clarify understanding with women and their families in all settings. Candidates must be able to select appropriate methods to communicate when a disability, language barrier or complexity may exist.
Understand the Doula’s scope of practice and the importance of the role within the MDT to inform care planning in line with national and local guidance to avoid harm and working within limits of own competence and authority.
Care of the Mother
The right candidate must…
Provide practical, emotional and educational support and transition to parenthood for new mothers/parents when caring for their newborn, whilst promoting safety, bonding and teaching parenting skills in both the hospital and home settings.
Attend antenatal visits to build rapport, support and listen to the mothers concerns and questions in a kind and non-judgemental way, helping her to establish her birth preferences and make informed decisions. .
Transport and accompany clients to healthcare appointments where relevant to ease the financial, physical and emotional strain of appointments and advocate for them whilst maintaining a good professional relationship across MDT’s.
Utilise the Elayos baby bank facilities as a means of further supporting clients practical needs.
Provide first and second ‘on call’ support within the Doula team for labour and birth.
Provide practical, emotional and educational support to the mother after childbirth, for example, tidying, light housework, running errands, assisting with breastfeeding, caring for the newborn and meal preparation.
Keep up to date on childbirth support, birthing techniques, and pre and postnatal care by conducting research, network with other Doulas and mothers, and attend workshops and training sessions as necessary
Care of newborn and infant feeding
The right candidate must…
Observe the overall wellbeing of the newborn and escalate any concerns to relevant MDT in a timely manner.
Provide practical support and transition to parenthood for new parents when caring for their newborn, whilst promoting safety, bonding and teaching parenting skills in both the hospital and home settings.
Attend professional meetings as required e.g Child in Need, Safeguarding
Have a good understanding and knowledge of breastfeeding and bottle feeding, and be able to identify and support women to overcome common feeding challenges, making appropriate referrals when necessary.
Have an understanding of milk expression and safe storage of breast and formula milk.
Understand the importance of secure mother-infant attachment, the impact this has on health and emotional wellbeing and what can be done to promote this, such as skin to skin contact.
Maintain a contemporary knowledge base about local and national antenatal and newborn screening services and signpost women and their families to appropriately qualified practitioners if they are undecided or have concerns.
Safeguarding
The right candidate must…
Have an understanding of the importance of Safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
Ensure that knowledge of local safeguarding policy and procedure is maintained.
To be vigilant of Child Protection issues and refer issues of concern in a timely manner following the Elayos safeguarding procedure.
Support Wellbeing
The right candidate must…
Recognise and support women in health promotion activities including diet, food hygiene, exercise, personal hygiene and smoking cessation.
Recognise any deterioration in mental and emotional wellbeing and respond appropriately, escalating to relevant professionals to enable an appropriate care pathway.
Have an awareness of and understand the current policy and service frameworks for mental health (e.g. Capacity Act, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and Mental Health Act).
Be aware of perinatal mental health issues and the appropriate referral pathway and to escalate to multi-disciplinary teams and concerns noted within home or hospital settings.
Person Specification
Training, Qualifications and Professional registrations
Completed or pending Doula UK or European Doula network approved training or alternative pathway modules for experienced doulas and birth workers.
We are able to offer Doula training for candidates who meet essential criteria but have not yet completed Doula training.
Essential
Previous experience working with vulnerable families
Previous experience of working with external Multidisciplinary Team such as the NHS,social services and other charitable organisations
Ability to be on-call for birth support , including some weekends and bank holidays
Hold a valid driving licence
An enhanced DBS check is required for this role
Understanding of Safeguarding issues
The ability to remain calm, multitask and provide emotional support
Approachable manner and exceptional interpersonal skills
Effective IT skills and ability to use databases for record keeping and team work
Ability to prioritise workload and work without direct supervision
Understanding of the importance of maintaining professional boundaries
Able to identify when to escalate issues/concerns
Knowledge and understanding of data protection confidentiality
Adaptable and flexible approach to work
Positive attitude to training and development
Desirable
Awareness of Health and Safety issues
Has knowledge of Infant Feeding and Unicef UK Breastfeeding Initiative
Effective written and verbal communication skills
If you think you’d be a good fit for the role, we’d love to hear from you.
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Job Title: Trustee
Salary: Voluntary
Hours: Quarterly trustee meetings and Ad Hoc advice
Location: Online meetings plus 1-2 in person meetings per yearElayos Vision and Values
Elayos exists to bring compassion, support and advocacy to vulnerable and isolated birthing people in Birmingham. As a charity, we come alongside, build relationships, listen and equip with the information needed to empower our clients to have a positive and informed pregnancy, birth and postnatal period.
Our staff and volunteers offer continuity of care as we assist with emotional, practical and physical needs. Where appropriate, we signpost and collaborate with other organisations to ensure that the greatest range of support is given.
As a charity we are particularly interested in increasing the diversity of our board. We are especially interested in hearing from individuals representative of the communities in which we work. This includes people from BAME, disability and LGBTQ+ communities.
In addition to increasing the diversity of our board Elayos aims to recruit board members who cover a wide range of skill sets. In particular those with a background in strategy, EDI, risk management and finance.
Elayos Chair of Trustees
The duties of a trustee are as follows
Lead the board to ensure its effectiveness in.
Setting and implementing Elayos’ culture, direction, and strategy.
Approving the annual operations (business) plan, budget and risk management plan
Monitoring these to ensure delivery.
Focus the board on strategic matters, prioritising long-term goals and planning.
Ensuring the financial stability of the organisation.
Maintain, high standard of governance, fostering transparency and ensuring the charity holds itself accountable to its stakeholders.
Ensure trustee awareness and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, such as the Elayos constitution and the charity commission guidance
Ensure that the trustee board annually reviews its structure, effectiveness, delegations and key policies, and implements agreed changes as necessary.
Liaising with the Head of Operations and Strategic Vision to arrange meetings, set agendas and chairing meetings to ensure these are well run and focussed on delivering the charity's work.
Act as a representative and spokesperson for the charity.
Manage trustee relationships to foster a positive board culture, including.
Ensuring the Board has the policies it needs and are regularly reviewed.
Leading on the development and appointment of trustees and.
Encouraging them to support Elayos’ fundraising efforts.
Line manages the Co-Directors, by supporting, positively challenging and holding them to account.
Following proper and formal arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and remuneration of the Elayos Co-Directors.
In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.
Person specification
A commitment to the organisation
A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
Strategic vision
Good, independent judgement
An ability to think creatively
A willingness to speak their mind
An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
An ability to work effectively as a member of a team
If you think you might be a good fit, we’d love to hear from you.
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Job Title: Trustee
Salary: Voluntary
Hours: Quarterly trustee meetings and Ad Hoc advice
Location: Online meetings plus 1-2 in person meetings per year
Responsible to: Chair of TrusteesElayos Vision and Values
Elayos exists to bring compassion, support and advocacy to vulnerable and isolated birthing people in Birmingham. As a charity, we come alongside, build relationships, listen and equip with the information needed to empower our clients to have a positive and informed pregnancy, birth and postnatal period.
Our staff and volunteers offer continuity of care as we assist with emotional, practical and physical needs. Where appropriate, we signpost and collaborate with other organisations to ensure that the greatest range of support is given.
As a charity we are particularly interested in increasing the diversity of our board. We are especially interested in hearing from individuals representative of the communities in which we work. This includes people from BAME, disability and LGBTQ+ communities.
In addition to increasing the diversity of our board Elayos aims to recruit board members who cover a wide range of skill sets. In particular those with a background in strategy, EDI, risk management and finance.
Trustee of Elayos
The duties of a trustee are as follows.
Ensuring that the organisation pursues its stated objects (purposes), as defined in its governing document, by developing and agreeing a long- term strategy
Ensuring that the organisation complies with its governing document (ie its trust deed, constitution or memorandum and articles of association), charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
Ensuring that the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects (ie the charity must not spend money on activities that are not included in its own objects, however worthwhile or charitable those activities are) for the benefit of the public
Ensuring that the organisation defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets
Safeguarding the good name and values of the organisation
Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the organisation, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place
Ensuring the financial stability of the organisation
Protecting and managing the property of the charity and ensuring the proper investment of the charity’s funds
Following proper and formal arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and remuneration of the chief executive (if the charity employs staff)
In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.
Person specification
A commitment to the organisation
A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
Strategic vision
Good, independent judgement
An ability to think creatively
A willingness to speak their mind
An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
An ability to work effectively as a member of a team