Improving Maternal and Infant Nutrition: A Framework for Action

• Identify gaps in training provision and make appropriate recommendations toaddress these5.4 The sub-group identified key groups of staff as follows, although the list isillustrative not exhaustive:• NHS: midwifery teams, public health nursing teams including nursery nurses,GPs and practice staff, paediatricians, obstetricians, dietitians, nutritionists,oral health staff including dentists, oral health educators, dental hygienists,dental nurses, dental health support workers, health promotion staff,pharmacists, learning disability teams, mental health teams, addictionservices teams, sexual health staff.• Local authority: social services staff, social care staff, early years workers,teachers, family support workers, community learning & development teams.• Community and voluntary sector staff: community food initiative workers andvolunteers, healthy living centre staff, charity/voluntary organisation staff andvolunteers e.g. National Childbirth Trust, Breastfeeding Network, La LecheLeague.• Others: Childminders, private and partnership nursery staff, prison staff ,foster carers5.5 There are groups of staff whose role requires in-depth knowledge of, andexpertise in, maternal and infant nutrition such as midwives, public health nurses andGPs. Other staff, however, such as early years staff and family support workers areexpected to have a basic awareness and understanding of the importance ofmaternal and infant nutrition, and be able to signpost parents and carers toappropriate sources of support. It is important that all staff and volunteers, across allorganisations, have the appropriate level of education and training required for theirscope of practice.Communication and Engagement for Behaviour Change sub-group – Terms ofReference:• Identify the key target audiences that need to be reached through theFramework;• Identify current communications activity in progress across Scotland toimprove maternal and infant nutrition;• Recommend specific actions for delivering and supporting the uptake of keymessages that will contribute to achieving the communications outcomes ofthe Framework.5.6 Enabling and supporting parents, particularly mothers, to change theirbehaviour through improving their knowledge, motivation and skills, is a key aim ofthis Framework. The diagram overleaf highlights the complexity of supportingbehaviour change due to the various factors, people and organisations that influencewomen prior to conception, during pregnancy and in the earliest years of their child’slife. One of our biggest challenges is reaching those who may not normally accessservices and they are likely to be those that will benefit most from additional support.Building supportive relationships and tailoring services to meet the needs of those inour target audiences is central to how we communicate engage with women andtheir families.