New animation on Preceptorship for Allied Health Professionals
What is Preceptorship?
Preceptorship is a structured and tailored support system designed to assist Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) through various career transitions.
This includes:
- newly qualified practitioners starting their first role
- those returning to practice after a career break
- individuals changing specialties
- relocating to work in Scotland
For AHPs working in Health and Social Care, the term "preceptorship" is still relatively new.
To address this, we are pleased to launch a new animation that has been developed to explain the concept of preceptorship and its benefits for individuals, services, and organisations.
Watch on Vimeo
Why is Preceptorship needed?
Recruitment and retention data show that AHPs need support as they transition into new roles to ensure they remain in the workforce for long, fulfilling careers. Preceptorship plays a crucial role in both the recruitment and development of staff, as well as promoting a healthy and supported workforce.
Background
In November 2023, the Health and Social Care Professions Council published Principles for Preceptorship for Allied Health Professions. This document outlines the roles and responsibilities of preceptees, preceptors, and organisations, alongside best practice recommendations for a successful preceptorship experience.
Understanding its full scope has taken time and considerable consultation, particularly within Scotland. Previous scoping exercises since identified key recommendations for newly qualified practitioners and the individuals supporting them and have identified existing preceptorship practices in Scotland.
Our findings revealed that many supports and structures already existed to aid AHPs during periods of transition. However, there was a clear need to raise awareness of preceptorship, highlight areas of good practice, and promote existing resources to help AHPs implement preceptorship effectively within their services.
Next steps
To continue to support AHPs to implement preceptorship in practice, we have in development a new AHP Preceptorship guidance document which will outline the roles and responsibilities of preceptees, preceptors, and organisations.
This resource will be further supported by the creation of an AHP Preceptorship Hub, designed to signpost AHPs to the tools and resources they need to successfully implement preceptorship in practice as well as examples of practice. These further resources will be launched later this year.
For more information please contact Laura O’Halloran, AHP Senior Educator laura.ohalloran@nhs.scot
February, 25 2025