Foundations
The Foundations Programme in Professional Birth Support is the starting point for all training pathways.
This course develops the core knowledge, safety awareness and professional understanding required before undertaking any specialist study. You will explore scope of practice, communication, safeguarding, reflective practice and working ethically within non-clinical maternity roles.
Foundations ensures every student begins with the same strong grounding - creating safe, accountable and confident practitioners before progressing to advanced pathways.
Practitioner Pathways
After completing Foundations, you may continue into a specialist pathway.
Each pathway applies the same professional principles within a specific area of support. The focus remains on communication, boundaries and safe non-clinical practice rather than clinical knowledge.
The purpose is to prepare you to work with families in real situations while maintaining clarity about your role and its limits.
Doula Practitioner Pathway
Supporting families around birth while working alongside maternity professionals.
Focuses on expectations, presence during labour and maintaining role clarity when plans change.
Antenatal Educator Practitioner Pathway
Facilitating preparation for birth and early parenting in a balanced and non-directive way.
Focuses on presenting information without persuading and supporting differing preferences.
Postnatal Support Practitioner Pathway
Supporting families adjusting to life after birth.
Focuses on listening, reassurance, emotional adjustment and recognising when additional support may be needed.
How Pathways Differ From Foundations
Foundations develops understanding of the role.
Pathways develop application of the role.
You will work through realistic situations specific to each context and consider how your responses adapt while the underlying principles remain consistent.