Train to work with us

The NCT offers specialist training in antenatal education, breastfeeding counselling or postnatal group facilitation. Our training programmes give you the opportunity to not only help and support other parents but also to achieve a recognised academic qualification.

Antenatal teachers, breastfeeding counsellors and postnatal leaders provide support to new parents throughout the life-changing transition to parenthood. Once qualified, NCT’s specialist workers are attached to our branches and provide many of our local services and support networks for parents.

Contact our reception on 020 8752 2300 or email receptionist@nct.org.uk for an information pack on NCT antenatal teacher, breastfeeding counsellor or postnatal leader training.

Studying with the NCT

Specialist training normally takes up to two and a half years on diploma programmes that are validated by the University of Bedfordshire.

Our courses are run locally, rather than by distance learning, in order to give you better support, access to tutors and help with assessments. Each module includes tutorials, one-to-one sessions, study days and workshops.

Each tutorial group consists of up to 12 students, all at different stages of the course. This means you can benefit from the experience of more senior students who in their turn benefit from the new ideas and enthusiasm of junior students.

As a student with the NCT, you will receive fantastic materials such as toolkits and discounted books to help you both with your course and with running your classes. We can also help you to apply for grants and offer continued professional development once you’ve qualified.

Working with the NCT

As an NCT specialist worker, you will benefit from administration support from our PSA’s, who deal with all our bookings and accounts – leaving you free to focus on delivering the classes and groups that you are now trained for.

License to Practise and continuing development

Students gain an NCT Licence to Practise upon successful completion of one of the programmes. They are then required to attend regular study days and to keep their knowledge of their local maternity services up to date, and are expected to have an in-depth knowledge of current developments in the field. The NCT supports this by providing a journal on evidence-based practice for its students and qualified teachers, counsellors and postnatal leaders (see New Digest).

Qualified practitioners receive ongoing training and regular observation of practise to maintain standards. They are reviewed regularly and their Licence to Practise is renewed annually only if the requisite standards are met.

The NCT provides insurance for all those providing services to parents on its behalf.

Please note: If you are a parent and want to make sure that the services are being provided by a qualified NCT practitioner, simply call NCT Parents Services on 0870 770 3236 or email enquiries@nct.org.uk and ask to see their Licence to Practise. Midwives and Health Visitors are qualified to provide parent craft classes and their registration can be checked www.nmc-uk.org.

What our students say

I attended NCT antenatal classes when pregnant with my second child and absolutely loved them, so I jumped at the chance to train. As I hadn’t studied anything since school, the sudden demand for referenced essays was a bit intimidating but nothing was as hard as it looked. The course is very flexible and you get lots of help from other students, your tutor and qualified teachers. I love being a teacher – I’ve met so many interesting people and been involved in exciting projects.

Kirstie, Antenatal teacher, Aberdeenshire

After the birth of my baby, the process of giving birth and of becoming a parent fascinated me. The antenatal training course was the perfect opportunity to turn my real life experience into both a qualification and a job, as well being flexible enough to allow me to fit studying in around family life and my current job. I'm just grateful that such a course exists!
Sara, NCT student, Wales