MIAF Training

Two products.
One framework.

MIAF training operates across a stepped care model aligned to NICE CG192. Peer workers identify and refer. Clinicians assess and escalate. The MIAF provides the connective framework across both tiers.

The Model

Aligned to NICE CG192.
Stepped care in practice.

Current perinatal support operates in silos — peer workers and community staff see mothers frequently but lack a framework for what they're observing. Clinicians have the tools to assess but rarely enough time. MIAF training bridges both tiers with a shared language and clear referral pathway.

Tier 1 — Community
Identify & Refer

Peer support workers, doulas, family hub workers, and community staff use the conversational MIAF framework to recognise when a mother's experience warrants clinical attention — and make a warm, informed referral.

Tier 2 — Clinical
Assess & Escalate

Health visitors, midwives, ANPs, GPs, and school nurses use the full 15-question MIAF alongside existing tools (EPDS, PHQ-9, GAD-7) to conduct a structured matrescence-informed assessment and determine appropriate clinical response.

Tier 2 — Clinical

MIAF Clinical Training

Half-day CPD training for registered practitioners working in the perinatal space. Provides a thorough grounding in matrescence theory and the full MIAF framework, with practical clinical application and integration alongside existing screening tools.

NMC-aligned with structured reflective practice. CPD accreditation in progress.

  • → Introduction to matrescence — the neurological, psychological, and identity-level transition to motherhood
  • → The five MIAF domains and all 15 questions in full
  • → Clinical application — how to use MIAF alongside EPDS, PHQ-9, and GAD-7
  • → Scoring, interpretation, and escalation pathways
  • → Case discussion and reflective practice (NMC-aligned)
  • → Documentation and referral pathway guidance
Format Half-day (approximately 3.5 hours) — in person or live virtual
Audience Health visitors · Midwives · ANPs · GPs · School nurses
CPD Accreditation in progress. Certificate of attendance provided on completion.
Delivery Organisation bookings via sharondawson.org. Minimum group size applies.
Investment Pricing on application — dependent on group size and format.
Enquire about clinical training →
Tier 1 — Community

MIAF Community Training

Half-day accessible training for community workers who support mothers but are not registered clinicians. No prior clinical knowledge required. Focuses on understanding the transition of matrescence, noticing when a mother needs support, and making a confident warm referral.

This is not clinical assessment training. Participants will not use the MIAF as a diagnostic tool — they will use it as a conversational framework to understand what they are seeing and when to refer.

  • → What matrescence is and why it matters for the women you support
  • → The five domains of the MIAF — introduced as a way of seeing, not assessing
  • → Recognising signs that a mother needs clinical attention
  • → Warm referral skills — language, approach, and who to refer to
  • → Boundaries of role — what community workers should and should not do
  • → Self-care and vicarious trauma awareness
Format Half-day (approximately 3 hours) — in person or live virtual
Audience Peer support workers · Doulas · Community support staff · Family hub workers
Prerequisites None. No clinical registration or prior knowledge required.
Delivery Organisation bookings via sharondawson.org. May eventually also sit under mamamababy.com.
Investment Pricing on application — dependent on group size and format.
Enquire about community training →
Enquire

Book training
for your organisation.

Both products are available for organisations, teams, and services. Please get in touch with details of your organisation, the training product you are interested in, your approximate group size, and whether you prefer in-person or virtual delivery.

I aim to respond to all training enquiries within two working days.

Online enquiries coming soon. In the meantime, please contact me directly.

Please include: your name, job title, organisation, which product you are interested in (Clinical or Community training), approximate group size, and preferred format (in person / virtual).
Email sharon@sharondawson.org →

Or book a call: Clinical Training — 30 mins →