The RCM Supporting Support Workers Join us!

About the RCM We’re the only professional organisation and trade union dedicated to serving the maternity workplace. We have a growing membership of support workers in maternity We represent staff across the whole maternity team, individually and collectively – in all 4 UK countries We are the UK’s only trade union and professional organisation dedicated to staff in Maternity Services You can join us for just £8.99 per month (the price of one coffee per week)

The RCM Supporting Support Workers The RCM welcomes support workers (Bands 1 – 4) including MSW’s, HCA’s, MA’s, MCA’s, Nursery Nurses, Community Support Worker’s or those in Clerical or Administration Roles in Maternity into membership and to get more involved in our organisation. Support workers in maternity are an integral part of the Maternity Team as well as our Union and Professional Organisation.

Workplace support, advice and representation Five Good Reasons to Join RCM: Our Union and Professional Organisation supports and campaigns on issues relevant to our continually growing support worker membership 2. Workplace employment advice, representation as well as support with NHS pay & conditions, training and apprenticeships 3. Advice on banding and roles & responsibilities for support workers 4. We offer free Online Learning with RCM i-learn – including specific content for support workers in maternity 5. Representation and legal advice accessed via our RCM Connect 24 hour helpline. Find out more at www.rcm.org.uk/join or call 0300 303 0444

Working in partnership MSW Research TUC – We are affiliated to the TUC. They are a global organisation with over 50 unions affiliated to them. They offer training for RCM staff and RCM activists. We work collaboratively with the TUC, HEE and the talent for care to improve working standards and opportunities for our members. Currently working with Health Education England on standardising the national curriculum for MSW’s. Working with Unionlearn (TUC) to offer education opportunity and career development. Working with Talent for care looking at training content gives maternity workers a voice in a nursing focused environment. MSW project in affiliation with TUC unionlearn. Sent out questionnaire to all MSWs nationally (465 answered ). Asking MSW’s what study days they were interested in. Bereavement and Perinatal mental health came out top. The RCM are delivering study events for MSW’s nationally.

RCM Celebrating Support workers

Additional services, information and workplace support

Branch governance RCM Branch MSW Advocate Steward Health and Safety Organiser Regional Officer Chair Secretary Treasurer Learning Rep

RCM Workplace Branches Be part of your RCM workplace: We have 200+ branches – your local workplace group of RCM colleagues We organise activities and events We elect our local workplace representatives

RCM i-learn

RCM i-learn

using the all courses link on the i-learn front page All of the care certificate standards will be covered in i-learn modules by the end of 2017. These give a maternity perspective to each standard. There are also modules available on: Thermoregulation – keeping the baby at the right temperature The deteriorating post-partum mother There are currently 10 I learn courses specifically for MSWs however there are a lot of courses that can be done by both midwives and MSW’s. There are more msw courses in development. Most i-learn courses are suitable for support workers so do explore using the all courses link on the i-learn front page

RCM i-folio It is entirely your space It is private and personal to you Each portfolio will be different It is portable Showcase your work in a web page Links to i-learn It provides an online space for all your CPD evidence It has a CV builder and place to record reflection Over 16,400 RCM members are using i-folio Use it to record all your learning and to make notes as you study

Follow RCM and network with your colleagues @MidwivesRCM Follow us on Facebook and join our “RCM Maternity Support Worker” members only group: bit.ly/MSWfbgroup Local Branch Facebook pages

Coming to your Workplace this November MSW Month – November 2017 “The RCM – Supporting Support Workers” Aims - MSW Month sets out to encourage all RCM Branches, WPRs and members to work together to host local MSW focused events during the month of November. Celebrating the Support Worker Role - We want Support Workers in Maternity to be seen as an integral part of the Maternity Team as well as your Union and Professional Organisation. Find out more and be involved - dedicated web pages with the latest information and resources www.rcm.org.uk/mswmonth “The RCM – Supporting Support Workers” MSW Month (to be launched at this year’s RCM Conference at the end of October 2017) sets out to encourage all RCM Branches, their WPR’s and our members to work together to host local MSW focused events during the month of November. Celebrating the Support Worker Role… We want Support Workers in Maternity to be seen as an integral part of the Maternity Team as well as your Union and Professional Organisation. The RCM welcomes Support Workers including MSW’s, HCA’s, MA’s, Community Support Worker’s or those in Clerical or Administration Roles in Maternity into membership and to get more involved in our organisation This will be an opportunity for us to celebrate the role and encourage many more Support Workers to join us and be part of our growing RCM membership of Support Workers in Bands 1-4. Find out more and be involved We will be launching our dedicated web area soon which will support you with ideas, resources and guidance as well as updating you regularly via Activist briefings and Branch meetings as the month of activity develops. In the meantime do speak to your colleagues about any specific events, study days, tea parties or community events you would like to develop and speak to your RCM Branch about how everyone can work together to make our MSW Month of Celebration a success. This is our opportunity to focus our engagement with Support Workers in the Maternity workplace to reach out to the many that are not a member of the RCM. Many Support Workers will not be aware that we are the only Union and Professional Organisation with the expertise and knowledge necessary to support them in the Maternity setting, working towards developing their roles and improving their working lives. There will be a high profile communications and social media campaign and we’ll be asking our members to be active on social media by adding a “twibbon” to their profile picture and also to tell the world of Maternity (and beyond) that “I ♥ being a Support Worker in Maternity because……….” For more information please contact us on mswmonth@rcm.org.uk or speak to your National/Regional Officer or Organiser. MSW Month Coming to your Workplace this November

For further information Website: www.rcm.org.uk Telephone: 0300 303 0444 Email: info@rcm.org.uk www.facebook.com/midwivesRCM @MidwivesRCM