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South West AHP Support Workforce and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy event September 2nd 2025

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South West AHP Support Workforce and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy event September 2nd 2025

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Are you part of the AHP support workforce and curious about what CSP Associate Membership can offer you? Join us for a virtual meeting with Fiona from the CSP South West Team to explore:

✅ Why becoming an Associate Member of the CSP is a great step for your career

✅ The purpose of the Associate Membership and Support Worker Network – to connect, empower, and represent the AHP support workforce

✅ The benefits of membership – including access to professional resources, events, tailored support and social media groups

✅ How you can contribute your knowledge and expertise to influence CSP policy and practice

✅ Upcoming events and opportunities

✅ A chance to ask Fiona your questions directly!

Whether you're already a member or just exploring your options, this is a fantastic opportunity to connect, learn, and feel supported. Join us on Microsoft Teams SEPTEMBER 2ND 10AM- Click here to join

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CSP & South west AHP Support workforce meeting 2025

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Enhanced Clinical Practice Apprenticeship webinars Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

Enhanced Clinical Practice (ECP) Apprenticeship - Apprenticeship courses - University of Derby

Enhanced Clinical Practice | ECP

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Check out this Presentation designed by Lauren.

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STD Supporting learners in clinical practice

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Greener AHP Week Monday 31 March to Friday 4 April 2025

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Greener AHP Week Monday 31 March to Friday 4 April 2025

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https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MDEyMDhlNjgtYTQ1Ni00MDlkLWIwYTUtNTdkNzEzN2Y0MjUw%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2237c354b2-85b0-47f5-b222-07b48d774ee3%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2203baf0ed-5850-4a62-b3b6-2eaacdb27bf9%22%7d

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Greener AHP Week Monday 31 March to Friday 4 April 2025

We are delighted to announce the finalised events for #GreenerAHP Week in spring 2025. The event joining links and timings can be found below.

Past events

Greener AHP Week 22 - 26 April 2024

Find all the event resources on the Future NHS platform. Session recordings can be found on our YouTube channel. If you do not have access to the Future NHS workspace, you can request permission from the workspace manager at the given link or e-mail seniorahp-manager@future.nhs.uk for access.

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Greener AHP Week Monday 31 March to Friday 4 April 2025 We are delighted to announce the finalised events for #GreenerAHP Week in spring 2025. The event joining links and timings can be found below. introduction to Greener AHP Week - Monday 31 March (10am - 11am) integrating sustainability into AHP clinical pathways - Tuesday [...]

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Please do pop along to our stand at the following dates and times for apprenticeship information. This is not just AHP specific so feel free to come for anything apprenticeships.

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South West Support Worker CPD Sessions 2024-25

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We’re currently checking your connection. This shouldn’t take long.If you keep getting this page, check if there’s a problem with Canva.

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NIHR Exeter BRC Pre-Application Support Fund

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NIHR Exeter BRC Pre-Application Support Fund

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NIHR Exeter BRC Pre-Application Support Fund - Advert

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Prosthetics  Orthotics Insights flyer (002)

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AHP Support Worker Career portfolio and learning hub flier

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A new leaflet to add to the pack, kindly created and provided by Radiography colleagues and finalised by Zara Hitchcock.

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NIHR INSIGHT Programme for South West Central

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NIHR INSIGHT Programme for South West Central

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Read about the AHP projects and how to get involved above.

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Our news - Hear about the AHP Faculty’s projects and how to get involved

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Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) are the third largest clinical workforce in the NHS, and at Somerset FT, we have over 900 colleagues working across the 14 different professions (for an overview, head to the article we published for AHP Day).

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New AHP Support Worker Community of Practice - Wednesday 22nd May at 10am. 

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New AHP Support Worker Community of Practice - Wednesday 22nd May at 10am. 

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Please join us on Wednesday 22nd May 2024 at 10am for our AHP Support Worker Community of Practice.

This is a network for AHP Support Workers of all levels across Somerset with an interest in the development of the AHP support workforce. The CoP is a safe, friendly space where support workers can contribute ideas, thoughts, challenges as well as develop relationships.

Please email l auren.dyer@somersetft.nhs.uk or fill out this form to sign up: https://forms.office.com/e/qYnMkmMVVP

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Please find our newly updated AHP Support Worker padlet for resources, events and updates.

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AHP Student Information Leaflet – Dietetics

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AHP Student Information Leaflet – Dietetics

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Find out more about Dietetics as a career!

Also available to download on the new SW Health Careers Portal: Resources - South West Health and Care Career Pathways (swhealthandcarecareers.co.uk)

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AHP Student Information Leaflet – Occupational Therapy

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AHP Student Information Leaflet – Occupational Therapy

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Find out more about Occupational Therapy as a carer!

Also available to download on the new SW Health Careers Portal: Resources - South West Health and Care Career Pathways (swhealthandcarecareers.co.uk)

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AHP Student Information Leaflet – Operating Department Practitioner

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AHP Student Information Leaflet – Operating Department Practitioner

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Find out more about ODP as a career!

Also available to download on the new SW Health Careers Portal: Resources - South West Health and Care Career Pathways (swhealthandcarecareers.co.uk)

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AHP Student Information Leaflet – Orthoptics

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AHP Student Information Leaflet – Orthoptics

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Find out more about Orthoptics as a career!

Also available to download on the new SW Health Careers Portal: Resources - South West Health and Care Career Pathways (swhealthandcarecareers.co.uk)

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AHP Student Information Leaflet – Physiotherapy

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AHP Student Information Leaflet – Physiotherapy

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Find out more about Physiotherapy as a career!

Also available to download on the new SW Health Careers Portal: Resources - South West Health and Care Career Pathways (swhealthandcarecareers.co.uk)

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AHP Student Information Leaflet – Podiatry

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AHP Student Information Leaflet – Podiatry

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Find out more about Podiatry as a career!

Also available to download on the new SW Health Careers Portal: Resources - South West Health and Care Career Pathways (swhealthandcarecareers.co.uk)

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AHP Student Information Leaflet – Prosthetics and Orthotics

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AHP Student Information Leaflet – Prosthetics and Orthotics

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Find out more about Prosthetics and Orthotics as a career!

Also available to download on the new SW Health Careers Portal: Resources - South West Health and Care Career Pathways (swhealthandcarecareers.co.uk)

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AHP Student Information Leaflet – Speech and Language Therapy

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AHP Student Information Leaflet – Speech and Language Therapy

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Find out more about SALT as a career!

Also available to download on the new SW Health Careers Portal: Resources - South West Health and Care Career Pathways (swhealthandcarecareers.co.uk)

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National AHP Preceptorship and Foundation Support Programme Update

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National AHP Preceptorship and Foundation Support Programme Update

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National AHP Preceptorship and Foundation Support Programme Update

What is the NHS England AHP Preceptorship Organisational Self-Assessment tool?

The NHS England AHP Preceptorship Organisational Self-Assessment Tool has been established to support the review, evaluation, and development of AHP Preceptorship. It is to be used alongside the AHP Preceptorship Standards and Framework and the HCPC Principles for Preceptorship. The self-assessment tool utilises a progression model recognising that organisations will develop across the principles and standards at varying levels of maturity. The self-assessment tool is an excel workbook which supports organisations to evaluate, complete gap analysis, identify AHP Preceptorship priorities and formulate an action plan as part of a continuous improvement model.

Where can I find the NHS England AHP Preceptorship Organisational Self-Assessment tool?

The NHS England AHP Preceptorship Organisational Self-assessment tool will be published in the AHP Preceptorship Toolkit on our webpage for the  AHP Preceptorship Standards and Framework

Online Webinars to support the launch

There will be a series of online webinars to support the launch of the NHS England AHP Preceptorship Organisational Self-assessment tool:

Tuesday 6th February at 12 to 1 pm Click here to join

Wednesday 7th February at 11 am to 12 pm Click here to join

Thursday 8th February at 11:30 to 12:30 pm Click here to join

There will also be a weekly online drop-in sessions as below. This is an opportunity to ask the team any questions you have on the completion of the AHP Preceptorship Self-Assessment Tools. Questions can be submitted via this registration link below in advance of the NHS England AHP Preceptorship Organisational Self-assessment tool Q & A - Drop in session:

Tuesday 20th February at 2 to 3 pm  Click here to join the meeting

Tuesday 27th February at 2 to 3 pm Click here to join the meeting

Tuesday 5th March at 2 to 3 pm Click here to join the meeting

Tuesday 19th March at 2 to 3 pm Click here to join the meeting

Please note there are NO planned drop in sessions on Tuesday 12th March & Tuesday 26th March 2024.

In addition, there will be a further series of online webinars to support the launch of the NHS England AHP Preceptorship System Self-Assessment tool webinar:

Tuesday 27th February at 10 to 11 am  Click here to join

Wednesday 28th February at 4 to 5 pm  click here to join

Friday 1st March at 12 to 1 pm  Click here to join

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Hello all,

Please see below the link for the AHP survey. Please do complete this at your earliest convenience. A QR Code for the survey is also attached. Thank you!

https://forms.office.com/e/1TJi4iTnh1

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Finalised: Student information leaflets x8

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Finalised: Student information leaflets x8

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Distribution underway: online and by email.

An event for local school and college careers leaders on how they could use the leaflets will be planned: further information to follow.

For a copy in the first instance please email Elaine.cox@somersetft.nhs.uk

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Career Workstream Meeting: Tues 23 Jan, 10-11am.  Teams link below.

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Career Workstream Meeting: Tues 23 Jan, 10-11am.  Teams link below.

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Microsoft Teams meeting

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 349 384 510 697
Passcode: FAsXHj

Download Teams | Join on the web

Learn More | Meeting options

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T-Levels accepted towards Undergrad AHP courses

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T-Levels accepted towards Undergrad AHP courses

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Elaine's (very) rough guide to Universities in the UK and Wales who accept T-Level qualifications for Undergraduate AHP study.

This list is not designed to be exhaustive: some universities don't state T-Levels on their website at all, so individuals must research their chosen university websites.

If you would like a copy of the list please contact Elaine.cox@somersetft.nhs.uk

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Step to Work - elearning for healthcare (e-lfh.org.uk)

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Step to Work: supporting newly registered AHPs' transition to the workplace

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Step to Work: supporting newly registered AHPs' transition to the workplace

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Moving into the role of a registered AHP marks an important and often challenging transition along both a professional and personal journey.  To ensure AHPs have the best possible start to their career journey, a high-quality preceptorship programme, tailored to their professional and individual needs, is essential and can be found through this Step To Work e-learning programme created by Health Education England.

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Rosie Harries on AHP Return to Practice - SLIDES BELOW

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Rosie Harries on AHP Return to Practice - SLIDES BELOW

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What are T Levels? A guide for employers

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What are T Levels? A guide for employers

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Many AHP colleagues within SFT are already offering these fantastic placements to college learners.  More placement opportunities are always sought, so if you're interested in offering a vital learning experience to a college student, please contact Elaine.cox@somersetFT.nhs.uk or ring 01935 384585.

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T Levels - A walk through industry placements for employers

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Advertised in a recent Leadership Academy bulletin, this Career site provides some great tools for self career development:
-  write your own 'elevator pitch'
- understand 'Imposter Syndrome'
- career management tools
- e-learning modules, e.g. emotional intelligence

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Occupational maps: technical education and beyond

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Occupational maps: technical education and beyond

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The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) have published occupational maps which show where technical education can lead.  Occupational maps are a simple way of showing the relationships between education, qualifications, apprenticeships and occupations in England, helping people to find their way through the careers and training landscape more easily.

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Career related learning begins at a very early age, as children absorb ideas about careers and work from a variety of sources: home; books; games.  Although Primary schools have a key role in ensuring that learning for careers is provided in some way, as employers we can support them by offering to provide some interactive activities.

Support at SFT can be sought from Mark Carter, Simulation Facilitator at SFT who's offerings include Teddy Bear Hospital.

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What works Careers related learning in primary schools

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The SFT side of the Preceptorship is testing face-to-face preceptorship days, made up of Core content which will be applicable to all newly qualified professions. This is at the planning stages so far, dates not confirmed. Feedback will be built into Preceptorship going forwards, so that continuous improvement becomes business as usual.

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As part of the Implementation Framework project a padlet has been created for AHPs to share their thoughts and experiences of preceptorship.

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AHP Support Worker Competency, Education and Career Development Framework

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AHP Support Worker Competency, Education and Career Development Framework

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This framework enables employers, networks, integrated care systems (ICSs) and services effectively plan, develop, and deploy their AHP support workforce. It provides guidance on training, education and competencies for AHP support workers and demonstrates a clear pathway for recruitment and progression, with common and transferrable skills across eight domains.

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This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site you agree to our use of cookies.

Creating a new NHS England: Health Education England, NHS Digital and NHS England have merged. Learn more

You are here

This framework enables employers, networks, integrated care systems (ICSs) and services effectively plan, develop, and deploy their AHP support workforce. It provides guidance on training, education and competencies for AHP support workers and demonstrates a clear pathway for recruitment and progression, with common and transferrable skills across eight domains.

Click here to view the AHP Support Worker Competency, Education and Career Development Framework document Implementing the framework
Implementation of the framework by employers will ensure that AHP support workers can achieve standardised levels of competency and access relevant training and development. Their roles will then become more consistent across England, ensuring that service users receive high quality care.

Over the next 12 months we will be running a series of national webinars to support this work.

All NHS trusts have been offered a one-off financial support for the first phase of the implementation of the framework as part of the national roll out.

The first phase of implementation requires trusts to:

scope their current workforce supporting AHP services

map this workforce against the education recommendations in the framework

carry out a gap analysis and training needs assessment

support data and evidence for further national priorities and activity through use of the readiness toolkit

participate in regular webinars/community of practice events.

We have also provided funding to AHP Faculties in 2021/22 to support the implantation of the framework, including:

use the readiness toolkit to review and develop associated action plans

engage with AHP support workers across faculty workstreams

map relevant local further and higher education provision

support NHS trusts, for example through local workshops and events

identify and develop a minimum of 5 exemplar case studies within the ICS

engage with wider ICS plans for Grow Your Own and healthcare support workers.

We have published and curated several resources to support the implementation of the framework.

We have also launched a nationally-led procurement process, focusing on the Level 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker and Level 5 Assistant Practitioner apprenticeships for the AHP support workforce.
How the framework was developed
The framework was developed by King's College London, working with HEE and AHP professional bodies. Support worker job descriptions and person specifications from across the professions were gathered via the NHS Jobs website and systematically reviewed. Alongside this, existing education, competency and qualification frameworks, codes and standards were also reviewed. These included relevant apprenticeship standards, Health Technical Levels, professional body standards, the Core Competences of Healthcare Assistants in the European Union project outputs, Care Certificate, Skills for Health Career Framework, and NHS National Job Profiles.

A national consultation was carried out over the summer and nearly 200 AHP support workers, employers, and education providers took part and helped to shape the final framework.

The framework also builds on the development and implementation of the Maternity Support Worker Competency, Education and Career Development Framework.

Related Documents

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AHP Support Worker Competency, Education and Career Development Framework

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Click here to view the AHP Support Worker Competency, Education and Career Development Framework document Implementing the framework Implementation of the framework by employers will ensure that AHP support workers can achieve standardised levels of competency and access relevant training and development.

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Allied Health Professions’ Support Worker Competency, Education,and Career Development Framework

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Allied Health Professions’ Support Worker Competency, Education,and Career Development Framework

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The Higher Development Award | Health Education England (hee.nhs.uk)

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Health Education England continues to engage with Employers, Colleges and the Association of Colleges across the country, providing support to structure the Higher Development Award (HDA) for your area. The HDA is a personal development programme for Support Workers that enables Clinical and Non-Cli…

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Return to practice for healthcare professionals

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Information and resources on return to practice for healthcare professionals, practising psychologists and healthcare scientists.

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HEE Centre for advancing practice

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Centre for Advancing Practice Conference 2023 - Registration open

We are delighted to announce registration for our annual Centre for Advancing Practice Conference is now open!

Registration is now open for our Advancing Practice Conference 2022 - Empowering People, Transforming Care

Our flagship event, the annual conference, is our premier learning and networking opportunity at the cutting-edge of the Advancing Practice landscape is now open for registrations.

Second and third cohorts announced for the ePortfolio (supported) Route

The Centre for Advancing Practice is delighted to announce that funding has been secured for a second and third cohort to go through the ePortfolio (supported) Route.

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Building a recognised and visible advanced practitioner workforce is a priority for the NHS; there is a clear and identified need for highly experienced clinicians who are trained to an advanced level of practice.

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This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site you agree to our use of cookies.

Creating a new NHS England: Health Education England, NHS Digital and NHS England have merged. Learn more

You are here

The National AHP Preceptorship and Foundation Support Programme has been established to ensure that AHPs receive high quality preceptorship and foundation support as they transition into employment.

This work is fundamental in standardising the quality of preceptorship programmes and foundation support available to AHPs across the country and will play a key role in ensuring we retain, upskill, and maximise the potential of AHPs, especially in the early years of their career.

Our aim is to have inclusive access to tailored support and development opportunities across a range of transitions into employment to help them grow in confidence as an autonomous and accountable practitioner, enhance career development, improve recruitment and retention whilst ultimately supporting the development of a diverse workforce fit for the future.

The programme aims to support over three phases of Pre-preceptorship, Preceptorship and Foundation support.

These phases are described as:

Pre-Preceptorship: A period of preparation for AHP's to support their transition towards employment.

Preceptorship: A period of structured support and development during periods of transition, during which the AHP will be supported to help them grow in confidence as an autonomous and accountable practitioner.

Foundation Support: A matrix of opportunities for professional and personal development for AHPs, that supports upskilling across the 4 pillars of practice, while simultaneously supporting developing a diverse workforce fit for the future.

We were invited to speak at the National Health Careers Conference in 2022 where we hosted a preceptorship panel with colleagues. Watch the session or navigate through our pages below to find out more about our work.

Our work

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National Allied Health Professionals Preceptorship and Foundation Support Programme

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The National AHP Preceptorship and Foundation Support Programme has been established to ensure that AHPs receive high quality preceptorship and foundation support as they transition into employment. This work is fundamental in standardising the quality of preceptorship programmes and foundation support available to AHPs across the country and will play a key role in ensuring we retain, upskill, and maximise the potential of AHPs, especially in the early years of their career.

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Return to Practice: allied health professionals, healthcare scientists and practising psychologists

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If you want to return to the HCPC register, we can provide the help, support and information you need to Return to Practice. Enquire now by clicking here or navigate to the pages below

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The We are the NHS: People Plan for 2020/2021 acknowledges the importance of increasing our ethical international recruitment and building partnerships with new countries (bringing benefit to the person and their country, as well as the NHS). Work is also underway to remove barriers to international recruitment and increase capacity for induction and support to overseas recruits.

This toolkit is designed to support collaborative, effective and ethical international recruitment that provides value for money.

This resource was commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care and produced by NHS Employers in collaboration with NHS England, and Health Education England. We would also like to give special thanks to the reference groups of employers, staff and stakeholders and the many other contributors from across the sector involved in developing this resource.
Please note that the last toolkit review took place on the date specified at the top of this page. The toolkit is updated quarterly to ensure the most up to date guidance and links are included.

You may also wish to view our supplementary guidance on restarting international recruitment following COVID-19, which was launched in June 2020 and is to be read in conjunction with the toolkit.
Did you find this toolkit useful? Please fill out our quick minute survey and help us evaluate and improve.

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The We are the NHS: People Plan for 2020/2021 acknowledges the importance of increasing our ethical international recruitment and building partnerships with new countries (bringing benefit to the person and their country, as well as the NHS). Work is also underway to remove barriers to international recruitment and increase capacity for induction and support to overseas recruits.

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We are aiming to blend 3 preceptorship offers within Somerset. Preceptorship is a period of structured support for new-to-role staff.