If you would like to be a Pay It Forward Program Doula, please fill in the application form below and select which date you would like to attend the mandatory course. If your application is successful, you will be sent a follow up email on how to book the course and further information and reading material you will need for becoming a PIFP Doula with The Doula Association.

Please be aware that as a PIFP doula you will be expected to include the following in your care:

What must PIFP doula birth support include?

• Antenatal session or sessions in the lead up to birth, over the phone or via zoom or another online platform, as agreed between you and the client
• An on-call period beginning two weeks before the client’s estimated birth date. That they can call any time of the day or night when they believe they are in labour, and that you will go to support them when you have both agreed the time is right.
• The doula will support at the birth and will only leave when you have both agreed it is the right time to do so.
• If you are unable to attend the birth or need to leave for any reason, you will do your best to find back up cover from another PIFP doula, as you would do with a private client, and you will inform the family and the doula association as a matter of urgency.
• The doula will help support the first feed.
• The doula will return for one postnatal visit to check on the new family and allow for time to talk about the birth and any postnatal concerns or questions the family may have. 

Process for working as a PIFP Doula:

• When the support is complete, please fill in the support completion form as soon as possible and invoice The Doula Association with the provided invoice template for the amount you would like to be paid (up to the value of £500).
• Please direct your client to the client feedback form so that the Doula Association know your work is complete and are ready to receive your invoice. We will be unable to pay invoices until the client and the doula have returned their respective feedback forms. If your client does not have access to the internet, please either help them to fill the form in online when you are with them or provide them with a paper copy that you can then scan/photograph and send to us (the Note function on most smartphones has a feature that will allow you to do this)
• PIFP standard birth and postnatal contracts will be maid available to you.
• The doula is solely responsible for the care of their client and is working as an independent worker, they are not employed by The Doula Association, merely invoice for their work when it is complete.
• Invoices will be paid within 4 weeks of receipt of them and other documentation at the doula association.

  
What must PIFP postnatal support include?

• Hours, times and days to be agreed with your client. Minimum 3-hour sessions are told to the client. (if you are working for £15 per hour, this would mean a maximum of 33.3 hours or 11 postnatal visits in 3 hour blocks).
• The doula will agree and make clear to the client what they are happy to include/not happy to include in their post-natal support.
• If the client needs support out of your remit, please refer or signpost to the appropriate services or help.
• Please help to make connections for people facing multiple disadvantage. Isolation is a huge problem so seek out local charities and support groups and encourage families to attend and get involved to help them to build a supportive community for when your care ends.
• The doula must have current insurance and a valid DBS

 
Process for working as a PIFP Doula:

• Successful applicants to the fund will be given a unique voucher number. They will be informed of their success and invited to search for a PIFP registered doula on the doula directory. They will then be free to contact, ask for availability, interview and choose the doula that feels right for them.
• PIFP standard birth and postnatal contracts will be maid available to you.
• The doula is solely responsible for the care of their client and is working as an independent worker, they are not employed by The Doula Association, merely invoice for their work when it is complete.
• When the support is complete, please fill in the support completion form as soon as possible and invoice The Doula Association, with the provided invoice template, for the amount you would like to be paid (up to the value of £500 for birth work, for postnatal work, this can be paid up to a maximum of £15 per hour, up to a value of £500).
• Please direct your client to the client feedback form so that the Doula Association know your work is complete and are ready to receive your invoice. We will be unable to pay invoices until the client and the doula have returned their respective feedback forms. If your client does not have access to the internet, please either help them to fill the form in online when you are with them or provide them with a paper copy that you can then scan/photograph and send to us (the Note function on most smartphones has a feature that will allow you to do this)
• Invoices will be paid within 4 weeks of receipt of the invoice and feedback forms from the client and doula at the doula association.

You must read and agree to abide by The Doula Association Rules and Constitution and Code of Conduct when working as PIFP doula.

---