NHS GGC recognises the important contribution that third-sector organisations can make through the provision of breastfeeding peer support. Peer support offers families access to people with relevant lived experience who can provide practical, social and emotional support, complementing the clinical and professional support provided by NHS services. The service will contribute to the implementation of the Scottish Government Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding Strategic Framework and NHS GGC's Infant Feeding Policy and will support the delivery and sustainability of UNICEF UK Baby Friendly standards. The successful provider will work in partnership with NHS GGC, Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCPs), maternity, neonatal, health visiting, Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) and other relevant services to provide an integrated breastfeeding support offer across NHS GGC. The service will follow and develop the existing model of community breastfeeding peer support, including the delivery of breastfeeding/infant-feeding support groups, recruitment and training of peer volunteers and targeted engagement with communities experiencing inequalities.

The aim of the service is to provide accessible, high-quality, evidence-informed breastfeeding peer support that complements NHS provision, improves access to community support and contributes to reducing inequalities in breastfeeding outcomes. The service will support families to: make informed decisions about infant feeding establish breastfeeding overcome common breastfeeding challenges develop confidence in breastfeeding continue breastfeeding for as long as they wish achieve their individual feeding goals The service will provide a family-centred and non-judgemental approach, recognising that families' feeding goals and circumstances may change over time.