Job Description

Family Food Assistant -

Salary Range

24,071 - 29,114

Hours of Work

37.5 hours per week (full-time), worked flexibly across the week; some evenings and weekends may be required.

Accountable to

Family Food Practitioner

Base Location

Various sites across Doncaster. Regular travel (up to five days a week) and occasional remote working may be required.

Doncaster's Family Food Programme

Primary Care Dietitians deliver the Family Food Programme on behalf of Doncaster Council, recognised leaders in Compassionate Approaches to Weight.

The programme supports first-time families--beginning in early pregnancy or adoption--to gain the knowledge, skills and tools needed to provide the best possible nutrition for themselves and their child. It recognises that diet is shaped by environment and circumstance, not simply personal choice.

The service therefore concentrates on

small, sustainable behavioural changes

and measures success through broader outcomes such as family harmony, self-esteem, physical activity and healthy food behaviours.

Its ultimate aim is for families--especially children--to develop a peaceful, stigma-free relationship with food. Continuous evaluation is embedded from the outset to drive improvement.

Why Join Primary Care Dietitians?

Make a real difference supporting new families 25 days' annual leave + bank holidays (rising to 31 days + bank holidays with service) Private healthcare via Medicash Funded mental-health support (eight face-to-face sessions per year) Weekly protected CPD and funded leadership development Clear progression into management roles Company pension with salary-sacrifice option Hybrid working (mainly Doncaster-based, with flexibility) Commission and incentive schemes for recruitment support Supportive culture with accessible leadership Administrative and resource support to maximise your impact Part of an established, high-performing team

Role Summary

You will be a frontline member of the Family Food Programme:

Year 1:

deliver group sessions and drop-ins across Doncaster, often alongside other family-service providers, to promote responsive infant feeding and positive relationships with food.

Years 2 & 3:

help train and supervise other service providers and peer supporters, using insights gathered during delivery; your own training and supervision skills will be developed in parallel.
Throughout, you will collaborate closely with the wider Family Food Programme and the Primary Care Dietitians Leadership Team to promote the service to prospective participants and referral agents.

Key Responsibilities

Promote the service

by attending events across Doncaster.

Deliver group sessions:

five 90-minute meetings covering: Parenting and feeding styles, attitudes and beliefs The parent/carer's relationship with food and body image Practical planning and sign-posting to enable responsive infant feeding

Run weekly drop-ins

in Family Hubs to answer questions and provide practical support.

Collect participant feedback

using inclusive methods.

Support programme evaluation

by supplying accurate data and reflective insights.

Train and supervise other service providers (Year 2)

--initially alongside the Family Food Practitioner, progressing to independent delivery with routine oversight.

Train and supervise peer supporters (Year 3)

, ensuring quality and consistency of peer-led activities.

Provide digital sign-posting

by curating content for Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and WhatsApp.

Promote BABiD registration

among first-time families in Doncaster.

Key Working Relationships

Family Food Practitioner Family Food Apprentice Operational Manager Primary Care Dietitians Leadership Team Doncaster Primary Care Dietitians Doncaster Family Hubs staff Doncaster Health Visitors Doncaster Midwives

Health & Safety

All staff must take reasonable care for their own health, safety and welfare, and for that of others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. Compliance with Primary Care Dietitians' health-and-safety policies, prompt reporting of concerns and participation in training and risk assessments are mandatory.

Confidentiality & Data Protection

Staff must adhere to Primary Care Dietitians' Information Governance Framework, the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Mandatory IG training, secure handling of information and responsible data-sharing within multi-agency settings are required.

Family Food Assistant - Person Specification

Essential:

Nursery Nurse, Health Coach or equivalent experience (Assessment: A)

Desirable:

Recognised childcare qualification (Assessment: C) Formal training in behaviour change (Assessment: C)

Knowledge & Experience

Behaviour-change techniques and practical application -- Essential(A / I / Test) Practical application of Infant Feeding Guidelines -- Essential(A / I) Presenting information to groups and individuals, tailored to their understanding -- Essential(A / I / Test) Responsive Feeding Framework theory -- Desirable(A / I) Experience supporting families facing health inequalities -- Desirable(A / I) Experience supporting families experiencing food insecurity -- Desirable(A / I) Understanding of Doncaster Council's Compassionate approach to weight -- Desirable(A / I)

Skills & Attributes

Confidently deliver health information to groups -- Essential(I / Test) Build positive relationships with colleagues and the public -- Essential(I) Communicate effectively with diverse audiences -- Essential(A / I / Test) Positive attitude towards change and continuous improvement -- Essential(A / I) Willingness to accept supervision and act on constructive feedback -- Essential(I) Listen to and act on participant feedback -- Essential(Test)

Values & Behaviours

Adaptable -- Essential(Test) Non-judgemental, with a compassionate approach to weight -- Essential(Test) Friendly and approachable -- Essential(I) Inquisitive / curious -- Desirable(I)

Assessment key:

A = Application form?I = Interview?C = Certificate?T = Test / Assessment centre

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 24,071.00-29,114.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Cycle to work scheme Employee discount Health & wellbeing programme Referral programme Sick pay Work from home
Schedule:

Flexitime Monday to Friday Overtime Weekend availability
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 18/05/2025
Expected start date: 30/06/2025