New registrants
New Registrants and Preceptorship Subgroup
The New Registrants and Preceptorship Subgroup sits within our AHP Faculty and focuses on supporting Allied Health Professionals during key points of transition in their careers. The group works across organisations in Coventry and Warwickshire to promote high‑quality, consistent and supportive preceptorship experiences for AHPs.
The subgroup brings together AHP leaders, educators and practitioners to strengthen preceptorship approaches across health and care settings, ensuring newly registered and transitioning AHPs feel supported, confident and valued.
What is AHP Preceptorship?
AHP Preceptorship is a period of structured support provided to AHPs at key moments of career transition. This includes:
- Joining the workforce for the first time
- Returning to work after a long period away, including being re‑admitted to the professional register
- Working in the UK for the first time
- Taking up a new role or moving to a new organisation
The purpose of AHP preceptorship is to ensure individuals develop confidence in their abilities and are supported to apply and further develop their knowledge and skills in everyday practice, in line with the AHP Preceptorship Standards and Framework (2023).
Why preceptorship matters
Evidence shows that preceptorship provides a positive and supportive experience for practitioners. It helps individuals settle into the workplace while developing confidence and competence in their practice. Preceptorship is also associated with improved patient experience and outcomes, alongside benefits for staff wellbeing and retention.
Our focus as a subgroup
The New Registrants and Preceptorship Sub Group works to[HS3.1]:
- Promote a consistent and high‑quality approach to AHP preceptorship across Coventry and Warwickshire
- Support organisations to deliver preceptorship aligned with national standards
- Improve the experience of newly registered AHPs and others transitioning into new roles or settings
- Strengthen networks and shared learning for those delivering and supporting preceptorship
Resources and guidance
National guidance for AHP preceptorship is available through NHS England, including the AHP Preceptorship Standards and Framework.
Principles for preceptorship | The HCPC
Part three: The AHP Preceptorship Standards and Framework | NHS England | Workforce, training and education
National Allied Health Professionals Preceptorship and Foundation Support Programme | NHS England | Workforce, training and education
Real‑life experience
We plan to include a preceptorship case study to share the lived experience of an AHP who has benefited from a supportive preceptorship programme, helping to illustrate the impact on confidence, development and retention. (to include preceptee case study)
Working in partnership
All workstreams and subgroups are supported through strong partnership working across:
- NHS organisations
- Social care providers
- Higher education institutions, including Coventry University and Birmingham City University
Recommendations on how to start the conversation about preceptorship as you transition to a registered Allied Health Professional:
- Explore and understand what pre-preceptorship support is available through NHS England, Higher Education Institute (HEI), and professional bodies. This includes Step to Work | NHS England | Workforce, training and education a free, online programme which provides guidance, support, and practical tools to help reflect on pre-existing experiences and knowledge to help in future roles.
- Speak to your potential employer about their AHP Preceptorship offer.
- Use reflective models and resources such as AHP Preceptorship reflection document to develop transitional awareness and support confidence.
- Refer to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Principles for Preceptorship and the NHS England AHP Preceptorship Standards and Framework.