Professional Perinatal Advocate Lead

University Hospitals Sussex is the subject of an important Independent Maternity Review (IMR), commissioned by the Department of Health on behalf of the Secretary of State. This is due to commence in October 2026 and is expected to last at least 3 years. The review will examine approximately 1,000 cases of stillbirths, neonatal deaths, maternal deaths, neonatal harm due to severe brain injury and severe maternal harm dating back to at least 2018. The purpose is to understand what happened, reach conclusions on the care provided, provide answers for families and identify learning for the organisation and wider NHS. The review is, by its' very nature, extremely sensitive and politically charged. The impact is expected to be significant for the families at the heart of the review, current and past staff and the wider organisation. In parallel, the Trust is the subject of an active police investigation - Operation Bramber., The Professional Perinatal Advocate (PPA) Lead provides strategic leadership for Professional Midwifery Advocacy (PMA), Professional Nurse Advocacy (PNA), restorative practice, workforce wellbeing and patient experience across maternity and neonatal services. The postholder will lead the development of an integrated Professional Perinatal Advocacy Service that brings together staff experience, family experience, governance learning, quality improvement and workforce intelligence to support a compassionate, psychologically safe, inclusive and culturally safe environment and a continuously improving culture. The post ensures clinical safety and psychological wellbeing are supported equally for all perinatal staff groups, fostering a culture where professionals feel safe, valued, heard and able to learn. The role will champion equity, diversity and inclusion, ensuring all staff have equitable access to support, development and advocacy services, and promoting an anti-discriminatory culture where difference is respected and everyone can thrive. The role translates learning from all services, including staff wellbeing and family experience, into:

• Governance
• Education and training
• Quality improvement
• Workforce culture and leadership development
• Equity, diversity, inclusion and cultural safety improvement initiatives