Welcome to Preceptorship

Supporting Transition into Primary Care

Welcome to our dedicated Nurses Preceptorship page. Here you’ll find a range of resources, guidance and information to support your journey.

We’ve brought everything together in one place to make it easy for you to access what you need, whether you’re just starting your preceptorship or supporting someone through it.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our our Preceptorship Lead – Rebecca Richardson – we’re here to help.

To get you started, take a look at the video below for an introduction to what preceptorship is and how it can support you.

What is Preceptorship?

Preceptorship is a structured period of support, guidance and development for newly registered and newly appointed practitioners, helping them build confidence and competence as they transition into primary care or autonomous practice (NHSE, 2022).
The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan (NHSE, 2023) identifies high‑quality preceptorship as essential for recruitment, retention and successful transition into new roles, particularly as care continues to shift towards community settings and multidisciplinary teams.
A strong preceptorship programme ensures new practitioners feel supported, develop safely and embed their skills effectively. Our programme is available to all primary care professionals, supporting the development of confidence, capability and professional identity.

In addition if you would like further information please feel free to book on to our ‘Introduction to Preceptorship’ sessions which are just 30 minutes long where our Preceptorship Lead can explain in more detail what is involved with our Programme. Link to book

Introduction to Preceptorship

What's Available to Support?

For The Preceptee:

  • Preceptor
  • Handbook
  • Fundamentals Module (for GPN’s only)
  • Red Whale
  • Cytology Training
  • Spirometry
  • Immunisation and Vaccination Training
  •  Venupuncture Training
  • Peer Support
  • Training Hub offers
  • Support from members of the Training Tub team
  • Support with CPD
Quarterly Preceptee Peer Support

For The Preceptor:

  • Initial Training which includes:
    • An in-depth look at the national preceptorship programme
    • An explanation of the roles, responsibilities and skills of the preceptor
    • Guidance on how preceptors can support preceptees in practice
    • An explanation on how to complete the required documentation
    • The development of peer preceptorship support networks
  • Peer support Network
  • Clinical Supervision Sessions
  • ELearning for Health (Preceptor Compendium)
  • Protected time 
  • Ongoing support from the Training Hub and Preceptorship Lead
  •  
Quarterly Preceptor Peer Support

General Practice Nurse Fundamentals Modules 1 & 2 - University of Lancashire.

Fundamentals in General Practice Nurse Information Booklet
FUNDAMENTALS 1:
Timetable September 2026
Dates and Information
FUNDAMENTALS 2:
Timetable April 2026
Timetable April 2027

First Contact Practice in Primary Care’ (HI4033) course for AHPs working in Primary Care

Please find a link below to the course information page for further information about this module:
First Contact Practice in Primary Care’ (HI4033) course for AHPs working in Primary Care
 
This postgraduate certificate aims to provide a bespoke programme for registered paramedics or physiotherapists to advance their knowledge, understanding and skills in order to practice as a First Contact Practitioner in the primary care setting
 
If you have any further, course-specific questions you can contact the module tutor, Kurt Lievesley.

Benefits of Preceptorship

Where does Preceptorship sit?

Copy of Preceptorship Career Pathways with apprenticeships

Preceptorship is part of the Nursing Career Pathway and when adopted offers a multitude of benefits for the Preceptee, the Preceptor and the Practice.

How to Apply for the Primary Care Preceptorship Programme

Choosing a Preceptor
As a best practice approach, we strongly recommend that the Preceptor is someone who works within the same practice or organisation as the Preceptee. Having a Preceptor within the workplace enables them to provide role-specific guidance, support integration into the team, and promote a positive transition into practice.
Ideally, a Preceptor should:

-Work within the same practice or organisation as the Preceptee.

-Have a minimum of 12 months’ experience in their current role.

-Be willing to provide support, guidance, and encouragement throughout the preceptorship period.

If You Do Not Have a Preceptor
We recognise that it may not always be possible to identify a suitable Preceptor within your practice or organisation. If this is the case, please still complete and submit the application form.
External Preceptor support may be available through our network of experienced Preceptors. However, this should be considered a secondary option and will only be explored where there is no suitable individual available within the practice to undertake the role. We will work with both the practice and the Preceptee to identify the most appropriate support arrangements.
Applying for a Place on Our Preceptorship Programme
Once you have identified a Preceptor, applying for a place on our Preceptorship Programme is simple and only takes a few minutes.
Apply here
The application form asks for some basic details about:

-The applicant (Preceptee).

-The individual who will be supporting them as their Preceptor.

What Happens Next?
Once we have received your application, our Preceptorship Lead, Rebecca Richardson, will:
Contact the Preceptee

-Offer a 30-minute introductory meeting.

-Discuss the Preceptorship Programme.

-Answer any questions.

-Ensure the appropriate support is in place from the outset.

Contact the Preceptor

-Provide programme documentation and resources.

-Discuss the role of the Preceptor and the support available throughout the programme.

Following the introductory meeting and Preceptor workshop, the Preceptorship Programme can begin with the Initial meeting between the Preceptee and Preceptor.
Need Further Information?
If you have any questions about the programme or application process, please contact Rebecca.
We look forward to supporting you on your preceptorship journey.
 

Celebrating Preceptorship

Lancashire & South Cumbria Primary Care Training Hub are pleased to announce that they have been awarded the Gold Standard Quality Mark for Preceptorship from February 2024.

This is a prestigious award that can be shared with all practices who engage in the preceptorship programme. Practices that engage with the Preceptorship Programme can display this Quality mark on Social channels, the Practice’s website and Email signatures to showcase participation in Preceptorship.

Our Latest Newsletter

Feedback

This is a recent statement from a Preceptee that has recently completed the Preceptorship Programme.

‘Stepping into primary care from a busy secondary care environment was a huge change for me, especially having never have worked in primary care before, other than as a nursing student. The preceptorship programme ensured I received all relevant training in a timely manner and was supported in doing so. I have always had a point of contact, both in practice and from the learning hub if I had any questions or felt I needed extra training.’

Rebecca Gee, Practice Nurse, August 2025.

Preceptorship Programme Process

Preceptorship Programme Process

Pastoral Support

Pastoral support is a key element of the Preceptorship Programme, supporting wellbeing, professional development and transition into practice.
Preceptees are supported by a dedicated preceptor through regular one‑to‑one meetings, guidance, feedback and goal setting. Additional support is provided by the Preceptorship Lead, who links practices with the Training Hub.
Peer support groups offer a safe space to share experiences and reduce isolation, while clear guidance ensures concerns can be raised safely and confidentially. Access to wider health, wellbeing and training resources is also encouraged.

Resources

Useful Links and Resources

Guidance and Information for all HCPs

NHSE National Preceptorship Framework for Nursing (2022) 

NHSE (HEE/Skills for Health) Primary Care and General Practice Nursing Career and Core Capabilities Framework (2022) 

Click here to view this document

Click here to view this document

Click here to view this document

Click here to view this document

A new National Induction Framework is now available for all new joiners of health and social care and which delivers on the first recommendation from the Messenger review to create an entry-level induction for all new joiners of health and social care. There are helpful guides and templates for recruiting managers to support new joiners. You will need to register for an account with the Leadership Academy to access.

Click here to view Document

Find all Health and Wellbeing helplines, training, opportunities and resources here.

Click here to view Webpage

For Preceptors

Click here to view this document

For General Practice Nurses

Click here to view this document

The Frameworks provides a standard and greater clarity on the scope of practice for nurses working within primary care and general practice settings.

For Allied Health Professionals

Click here to view this document

Click here to view this document

Meet the Team

We have a fantastic team to support the Preceptorship Programme. If you have any questions or queries, please feel welcome to reach out to us and we will help to support you the best way we can.

Rebecca Richardson

Preceptorship Lead

About Rebecca
Rebecca Richardson is an experienced registered General nurse with extensive experience working within primary care. Rebecca has over 20 years experience working within the NHS and has a very keen interest in supporting, nurturing and developing colleagues to further their skills and knowledge. 
 
Rebeccas role as preceptorship lead is to encourage and support the adoption of preceptorship within primary care across many different disciplines. Practices, preceptors and preceptees can link in with Rebecca for support to ensure the Preceptorship programme is being delivered to a high standard, achieving goals and ultimately improving patient outcomes and service delivery. 

Nicola Albanese

Programme Manager

About Nicola
Nicola joined the NHS in 2020 following the closure of her business as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Prior to joining the NHS, she held a diverse range of roles, including HR Manager at Marks & Spencer, project manager and business consultant across a variety of organisations, and lecturer within further education and international colleges. She also owned and successfully ran an award-winning spa, sports injury clinic and training academy for over 20 years.
 
Since joining the NHS, Nicola has held a number of roles across education, training and workforce development. These have included CPD Lead for Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Head of Training and Development for Fylde Coast Medical Services. Within the Training Hub, she has undertaken a variety of roles, including wellbeing and digital champion positions, as well as Project Manager for the General Practice Nursing (GPN) Programme.
 
Nicola is passionate about education, training and professional development, and is committed to supporting people and organisations to reach their full potential. She is equally passionate about the NHS and the difference it makes to patients, communities and the wider workforce.

Rhianna Whitaker

Administrator

About Rhianna

Rhianna is new and excited to provide support to the preceptorship team. She has 4 years experience in legal and aerospace administration. she gained experience in procurement, safety, and data management.

Rhianna has a Masters degree in Speech and Language Therapy and is also pursuing this as a career. She is hoping to specialise into voice therapy and clients with neurological conditions. During her studies in the pandemic Rhianna worked first hand with both clinicians and clients, her dissertation was on clinical supervision during COVID-19.