Allied health professions

Last updated: Tuesday 25 November 2025

The allied health professions (AHPs) are the third largest clinical workforce in health and care.

AHPs are degree-qualified professionals who work independently to deliver expert care and support patients’ health and wellbeing.

There are 14 registered AHP professions, covering 15 specific roles: 13 of these professions are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), while Osteopaths are regulated by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC).

AHPs work across many different settings including health, social care, housing, education and the voluntary and independent sectors.

They assess, diagnose, treat and discharge patients, providing care at every stage of life, from birth through to palliative care.

By taking a holistic approach to healthcare, AHPs focus on prevention, recovery and wellbeing, helping people live full and active lives in their families, communities and workplaces.

More information can be read on the NHS England website. 

We also believe in supporting our workforce via a variety of initiatives such as apprenticeships and preceptorships.

If you are interested in exploring more about the AHP role or want to come and work for us, please visit the 'Work with us' page or work experience page. If you are a former allied health professional looking to return to practice, please read the information below. 

Are you a qualified (AHP) looking to return to practice?

We employ 9 out of the 14 allied health professions: diagnostic radiographers, dietitians, occupational therapists, operating department practitioners, orthoptists, orthotists, paramedics, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists. 

Allied health professionals at the Trust work across inpatient wards, outpatient clinics, community settings including community hubs and across specialties. 

What is Return to Practice?

It is a period of updating skills and knowledge which includes a combination of formal study, private study and supervised practice. There are a minimum number of hours a person will need to complete to update their skills/knowledge, depending on the time they have been off the HCPC register:

  • 0-2 years out of your profession - no requirements
  • 2-5 years out of your profession - 30 days of updating
  • > 5 years out of your profession - 60 days of updating

Who is it for?

We support AHPs with a professional healthcare qualification but who have been off the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) register for more than two years to return to practice.

Healthcare qualifications can be from the UK or from overseas if  recognised by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

For more details of the requirements visit the Health and Care Professions Council website.

We welcome AHP professionals from any background or previous employer to complete their Return to Practice with us.

We also believe in supporting our workforce via a variety of initiatives such as apprenticeships and preceptorships.

What do we offer?

We will discuss your needs and, if appropriate, arrange a suitable placement within your profession, supervised and supported by a clinician who is employed at WHH.

  • We offer supervised placements which are a great way to build your confidence in the workplace after a gap from the working environment.
  • We value your past working experience and life experience and take these into account when arranging your supervised practice placement.
  • Returning to practice in a voluntary route provides you flexibility to balance your home and work commitments.

WHH employs qualified AHPs and clinical support workers and there are opportunities for employment in both staff groups.

Is there funding support available?

We will employ you as a volunteer. You are encouraged to register with Health Education England, who will pay up to £800 to support any appropriate HCPC registrant returning to practice.

Visit the NHS England website for more information.

How to apply

Before applying, you need to consider which areas interest you, your career aspirations and where you feel you may be most suited based on your previous skills and experience.

To express your interest or find out more information please email the Practice Educator Facilitator team on whh.pef@nhs.net.

You can also follow our AHP X account: @WHHAHPS

Preceptorship

The allied health professionals (AHPs) at Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WHH) are committed to supporting all our staff, but especially those who are at key moments of career transition. For example: those entering the workforce for the first time, returning to work after a long period away, working in the UK for the first time, taking up a new role, or moving to a new organisation. 

Preceptorship is a period of structured support for the above-mentioned groups of staff to give them confidence to act as an autonomous practitioner.

Preceptorship for AHPs lasts for 12 months and includes: 

  • an initial supernumerary period which provides time to shadow experienced practitioners and get inducted into the team
  • an allocated preceptor who is an experienced practitioner and provides one to one support
  • protected time to attend Trust preceptorship training with a variety of development days offered throughout the year to help understand and deal with the demands of the workplace
  • profession specific preceptorship and competency training for development of clinical and non-technical skills, so you feel confident and competent in your day-to-day role
  • regular one to one preceptorship meetings in addition to clinical supervision
  • access to a digital portfolio management system to build a Continuing Professional Development (CDP) portfolio 

AHP preceptorship at WHH is aligned to both Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) guidelines and the NHS England Preceptorship Standards and Framework.

Please visit the NHS England website for more information.