You are here :
Home
» About us
» What we do
» User involvement in maternity services
» NCT Maternity services user and parent representatives (reps)

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. Reps sit on committees and represent the views of local parents.

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.

NCT support and benefits for user reps

If you register with the NCT, we can provide you with support if you are on a committee representing local parents. Each year, we provide registered reps with:

a reps’ pack, which you can download below (there are different versions for the different countries of the UK)
an updated Maternity and Parenthood Information Directory. This gives you sources of where you can find information about all maternity and parenthood issues. If you are registered but don’t have a copy please email library@nct.org.uk
copies of our quarterly journal, New Digest, which includes articles on user involvement and maternity services
a library and information service, including the regular Current Awareness Bulletins listing new research studies
an electronic monthly newsletter, The Campaigner with all the latest news about NCT campaigns and information for Reps.
a dedicated section on the NCT Active webpages containing news and information about events and consultation opportunities.
a weekly campaigns and parliamentary report to keep you updated on relevant government activities
an e-group 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?

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. Previously, reps needed to be members of the NCT to register with us and receive the support we provide but we have decided in order to reach and help more people that we will register user reps who are not members of the NCT. We are currently redesigning our registration system to make it possible for non-members to use, but in the meantime we ask you to bear with us. If you are a member you can register here, otherwise please email campaigns@nct.org.uk. If you have any problems registering or require any further information please do not hesitate to contact the Campaigns and Public Policy Team at campaigns@nct.org.uk

NCT Maternity services user and parent representatives (reps)

NCT support and benefits for user reps

How do I become an NCT Rep?

Related documents

Site tools