NCT Maternity services user and parent representatives (reps)

NCT Reps (or maternity services user and parent representatives) have usually had a baby themselves and are in close touch with parents-to-be and new parents in the local area, so that they can represent parents' views, experiences and interests to commissioners, managers and providers of maternity or child health services.

This could be by becoming a member of one or more of the following:

• a local maternity services liaison committee (MSLC)
• a labour ward forum
• a breastfeeding strategy group or a joint breastfeeding initiative
• a local maternity campaigning group, such as ‘save our maternity unit’
• a local/community health group or board.

There are increasing opportunities to represent families with young children. This could be by becoming a member of a children’s trust, a management board of a nursery or playgroup, a parents' forum or participating in any other activities promoting user involvement in children’s services.

What do NCT Reps do?

NCT Reps work as part of multi-disciplinary teams to put forward the views and experiences of parents and service users. They work for the implementation of progressive policies and guidelines to enhance the safety, satisfaction, autonomy and well-being of pregnant women, to ensure that new parents are supported and valued and that babies and children have a secure, healthy and stimulating start in life.

NCT Reps work as part of multi-disciplinary teams to put forward the views and experiences of parents and service users. They work for the implementation of progressive policies and guidelines to enhance the safety, satisfaction, autonomy and well-being of pregnant women, to ensure that new parents are supported and valued and that babies and children have a secure, healthy and stimulating start in life.

NCT Reps need to be self-motivated, creative and willing to use a considerable level of judgement to decide how to achieve practical improvements. It helps to cultivate a range of local contacts among parents’ groups, maternity organisations and service providers. In addition, it is helpful to extend your network to include local councillors and MPs, and (in England) primary care trusts and other local commissioners. Knowledge of the NHS or local authorities is desirable but not essential. Your commitment and enthusiasm is more important.

Many NCT Reps chair their local MSLC and set the agenda for these meetings. It is usually helpful to have experience of being a member of the committee before taking on the role of Chair, though for people who have lots of committee experience this is less important.

Support and benefits for NCT Reps

The NCT has a strong network of reps and local activists and we undertake many activities to provide information and resources to reps to support them in their important role. The NCT likes all members who are active reps to register as a rep every two years, so that we can provide information and get feedback about developments in services from a user perspective.

Each year, we provide registered reps with:

• a reps’ pack following your registration or re-registration
• an updated Maternity and Parenthood Information Directory
• copies of our quarterly professional journal, New Digest
• a library and information service, including the regular Current Awareness Bulletins listing new research studies
• an electronic Bulletin Board containing news and information about events and consultation opportunities etc
• a weekly campaigns and parliamentary report
• the opportunity to join NCT Active, the NCT's online campaigning network
• an eGroup for communicating with other reps and sharing concerns and achievements
• training in how to become a more effective rep (Voices), to feel confident interpreting research papers (CASP), to search for health information on the internet and to appraise information leaflets produced for parents (DISCERN)
• contact with experienced reps and with staff who can support you.

How do I become an NCT Rep?

Reps are proactive in joining a suitable local group to take forward the issues that interest them.

Details of local committees and groups should be available in your local NCT newsletter or in children’s centres, maternity units, clinics and libraries. If your branch or neighbouring branches already have active reps contact them about what they do and opportunities to get involved. You may also find it helpful to contact your Head of Midwifery, consultant midwife, Health board or primary care trust, local authority or Children’s Centre about local opportunities. There are often vacancies for user reps on Maternity Service Liaison Committee (MSLC), or Labour Ward Forums which the Head of Midwifery should be able to tell you about.

NCT members can register by completing a short online registration form on the Extranet. Registering as a rep is quick and easy and it allows us to provide you with all the support and benefits listed above above.

If you are not a member, you will need to join the NCT.

If you have any problems registering or require any further information please do not hesitate to contact the Policy and Research Department: email, policyresearch@nct.org.uk, tel: 0208 7522327.