Course Outline:
Designed for midwives, obstetricians, maternity managers, Directors and Heads of Midwifery, independent practitioners, birth workers and doulas. This course clarifies the difference between law and guidance and equips delegates to support informed choice when women and birthing people seek care outside NHS pathways or national guidelines. It aims to reduce professional fear and provide practical tools to support safe, lawful, rights-based practice.
Key Learning Outcomes:
- Distinguish between guidance, policy and law.
- Explain why national guidelines are advisory, not mandatory.
- Understand the relevance of key case law (Montgomery, Re MB, St George’s v S).
- Examine and communicate the strength of evidence across all areas of maternity care.
- Communicate evidence clearly and effectively to support genuine informed choice.
- Recognise professional accountability under NMC/GMC codes and understand boundaries for birth workers and doulas.
- Implement factual documentation to reduce complaints or regulatory action.
- Develop confidence by reducing fear of alternative birthing options.
- Analyse case studies to apply learning directly to practice.
Course Details:
- Duration and CPD: 1 day | 6 hours CPD
- In-house course format and fee: Virtual or face-to-face | Call for details
Please call 020 7549 2549 or email info@bondsolon.com to discuss or book an in-house course.
Benefits of Attending
- Gain clarity on the distinction between guidance and law.
- Increase confidence in supporting out-of-guidance choices safely.
- Improve ability to communicate evidence factually across all maternity care.
- Reduce exposure to litigation or complaints.
- Strengthen understanding of regulatory and non-regulatory roles.
- Leave with practical tools to reduce fear and support respectful, rights-based care.
The course will explore:
- NHS and NICE guidance versus legal obligations, and the evidence base underpinning both.
- The primacy of informed choice and consent.
- Balancing autonomy and safety for families and those supporting them.
- Professional accountability (regulated and unregulated roles).
- Factual documentation and communication strategies.
- Case studies that normalise birth outside guidance as a lawful choice, de-centre blame, and focus on lawful, respectful responses.
- Recognising that risk exists in all birth settings, including the NHS, and that rights-based support reduces harm.
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