Leadership in Preceptorship: Allied Health Professional programmes as a catalyst for early career support and development.

Abstract

Background: This article evaluates the impact of the allied health professions (AHPs) leadership within the Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust AHP Preceptorship Programme on early career professionals. Preceptorship, defined as structured support during career transitions, is recognised as crucial for developing confidence and autonomy among healthcare workers. While extensive research supports the benefits of preceptorship in nursing, limited evidence exists for AHPs.

Aim: To explore the effects of the Oxleas AHP Preceptorship Programme on early career AHPs.

Method: Using a mixed-methods approach, the study surveyed AHPs enrolled in the programme to explore its effects on retention, confidence, continuing professional development and AHP leadership support.

Findings: Key findings include the positive influence of a community of practice in reducing feelings of isolation and creating a sense of belonging, with 92.3% of participants reporting that the programme contributed to their retention. The leadership of AHP-specific preceptorship leads, external to clinical teams, was identified as pivotal in providing tailored support.

Conclusion: Despite its limitations, including a small sample size, the study highlights the value of a dedicated AHP preceptorship programme in improving early career support and development. The findings emphasise the importance of structured support for AHPs and suggest that further research is needed to explore the broader impact of such programmes across different healthcare settings.