Enhancing access to AHP Preceptorships for underrepresented roles in North East London
Strengthening AHP Preceptorships in North East London: Collaborative Solutions for Equitable Support.
We have been collaborating with the North East London (NEL) AHP Faculty to evaluate and enhance Allied Health Professional (AHP) preceptorships across the region. This project addresses a critical challenge in the health and care sector: ensuring AHPs – whether newly qualified, returning to practice, or recruited internationally – have equitable access to structured support during their transition into practice.
By enhancing preceptorships, we aim to foster confidence, professional growth and better outcomes for AHPs, ultimately strengthening the workforce and the care they deliver.
The challenge
In North East London, the availability and quality of preceptorship programs have varied significantly, leaving some AHPs without the mentorship and development opportunities needed to build confidence, enhance professional identity and deliver high-quality care. Smaller organisations and those employing fewer AHPs often struggle to implement such programs due to limited resources, workforce pressures and a lack of shared frameworks.
This project was vital in identifying these gaps and co-developing solutions to foster consistency, inclusivity and collaboration across the region. By focusing on collaborative design, stakeholder engagement and tailored resources, the initiative aims to create a more robust support structure that empowers AHPs, strengthens retention and ultimately enhances patient care.
Our Approach
Our approach was rooted in a commitment to inclusive, participatory research, ensuring that the voices of stakeholders from diverse care settings were central to the process.
Through comprehensive engagement, including surveys, interviews and workshops, we explored the current state of preceptorship delivery in the region, focusing on understanding barriers, identifying enablers, and surfacing innovative practices. Special attention was given to AHPs working in smaller organisations and in settings including local authorities,primary care
and the VCSE sector, where preceptorship resources may be more limited.
We facilitated collaborative discussions to co-design solutions, encouraging cross-sector knowledge sharing and the development of models tailored to varying needs. By combining qualitative insights with practical recommendations, we aimed to ensure equitable access to preceptorship opportunities, fostering professional growth and a consistent support system for AHPs across North East London.
Learn more
If you are keen to learn more about our approach, or would like to talk to us about how we might support your local initiatives, get in touch.
