Name: Elisabeta Ramona Kadar Student ID: 2522578 Module Code: LCHS4001_BIRM Module: Academic and Employability Skills Lecturer: Daniel Jenkin Smith Table of Contents 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Role of a Maternity Support Worker 1.3 Key Skills 1.4 Improving Skills 1.5 Conclusion 1.6 References 1.1 Introduction A Maternity Support Worker (MSW) is an important member of the maternity care team. They work under the supervision of qualified midwives and help provide practical, emotional, and basic clinical support to mothers, babies, and families during pregnancy, labour, and after birth (England and Morgan, 2012; Sandall et al., 2016). This role has become more important in the United Kingdom because maternity services are very busy and need more support staff (Jones et al., 2022). MSWs help improve patient experience by supporting mothers, helping care for babies, and making sure the environment is safe and comfortable. This report will explain the role of a Maternity Support Worker, discuss three important skills (communication, empathy, and teamwork), and explain how these skills can be improved. 1.2 Role of a Maternity Support Worker Maternity Support Workers help midwives provide safe and effective care in hospitals and in the community (Sandall et al., 2016). They support women during labour, childbirth, and especially after birth when mothers and babies need extra care (Asefa et al., 2022). The role includes helping to care for both the mother and the baby. This means supporting personal care, helping mothers feel comfortable, and making sure the baby is safe. MSWs also check basic observations such as breathing, pulse, temperature, and blood pressure, and report any problems to a midwife or nurse. -updating records -organisational skills -Report any problems to the midwife or nurse. In some cases, they may help take blood samples safely under supervision (England and Morgan, 2012). A very important part of the role is supporting breastfeeding. Many mothers feel worried, scared, or unsure, especially in the first few days. Babies may also struggle to feed at the beginning, which can make mothers lose confidence. MSWs and midwives help by giving reassurance, explaining the benefits of breastfeeding, and showing practical techniques. This support can help mothers feel more confident and successful. MSWs also educate parents about how to care for their baby. This can be done one-to-one or in groups. It is especially important for families who do not have experience or support at home. Some mothers may feel stressed, anxious, or have postnatal emotional difficulties. In these situations, both parents may need support and reassurance. Helping families feel confident when they go home is an important part of the job. In addition, MSWs must keep accurate records and stay organised. Updating records and organisational skills is very important ,They must report any changes in a patient’s condition to the midwife or nurse (NMC, 2018). Good communication and teamwork are crucial to make sure care is safe. The role also requires working with people from different backgrounds. MSWs must respect different cultures, beliefs, and lifestyles. They also need to be able to handle challenging situations, work under pressure, and stay professional during long shifts. 1.3 Key Skills Communication Communication is one of the most important skills for a Maternity Support Worker. MSWs need to speak clearly with mothers, families, and healthcare staff. They must explain information in a simple way and give reassurance when needed (NMC, 2018). Good communication is very important when helping with breastfeeding or giving advice about baby care. If communication is poor, it can cause confusion, stress, and mistakes in care (Jones et al., 2022). This shows that communication is important not only for patient experience but also for safety. Empathy Empathy means understanding how someone feels and supporting them in a kind way. This is very important in maternity care because women may feel pain, fear, or stress during labour and after birth (Leap, 2009). When MSWs show empathy, it helps mothers feel supported and less anxious. Research shows that kind and respectful care improves women’s experiences and wellbeing (Bohren et al., 2015). However, sometimes staff are very busy, and this can make it harder to always show empathy (Asefa et al., 2022). This shows that both personal skills and working conditions are important. Teamwork Teamwork is also very important because MSWs work with midwives, nurses, and doctors. Good teamwork helps make sure care is safe and organised (Sandall et al., 2016). MSWs need to follow instructions, share information, and support their colleagues. They also need to stay calm and work well under pressure. If teamwork is poor, it can lead to mistakes and unsafe care (NMC, 2018). This shows how important it is to work well with others. 1.4 Improving Skills There are different ways to improve the skills needed for this role. One way is through training and education. Attending courses and workshops can help MSWs improve their communication and clinical skills (Evans et al., 2022). Another way is reflective practice. This means thinking about past experiences and learning from them. It helps MSWs understand what they did well and what they can improve. Mentoring is also helpful. Working with experienced staff allows MSWs to learn from others and receive feedback. This can improve confidence and skills. Teamwork can be improved by taking part in team meetings and working closely with colleagues. Observing experienced staff can also help MSWs understand how to work better as a team (Wood, Chambers and Marshall, 2025). These strategies help MSWs improve their skills and provide better care for patients. 1.5 Conclusion In conclusion, the role of a Maternity Support Worker is very important in supporting mothers, babies, and families. MSWs help provide practical care, emotional support, and basic clinical assistance under the supervision of midwives. Communication, empathy, and teamwork are key skills needed for this role. These skills help ensure safe, effective, and supportive care. Although the job can be challenging and requires responsibility, it is also very rewarding. Supporting families during an important time in their lives makes the role meaningful and valuable. Developing these skills through structured strategies can prepare individuals for a successful and meaningful career in maternity care. To be a Maternity support worker is a blessed and wonderful skill but also a huge responsibility, implications, trust and confidence delivery. 1.6 References Asefa, A. et al. (2022) Women and Birth, 35(4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2021.09.003⁠ Bohren, M.A. et al. (2015) The Lancet, 385(9978). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)61460-4⁠ England, A. and Morgan, R. (2012) Maternity Support Worker Handbook Evans, K. et al. (2022) BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Jones, I.H.M. et al. (2022) BMJ Open Leap, N. (2009) British Journal of Midwifery NMC (2018) The Code Sandall, J. et al. (2016) Cochrane Database Wood, C.M., Chambers, M. and Marshall, J.E. (2025) BMC Health Services Research