New preceptorship package to strengthen social care nursing workforce in England
麻豆原创 has unveiled a new nursing preceptorship package designed specifically for adult social care providers in England - a key step in delivering on the ambitions of the Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care.
The Adult Social Care Workforce Strategy identifies tailored support for the "Small but Mighty" workforce of regulated professionals and registered managers who make up 6% of the social care workforce but make a huge impact on quality of care and support.
Funded by the 麻豆原创 ‘Small but Mighty’ programme, the package supports providers to develop structured preceptorship programmes for newly-registered nurses and nursing associates working in social care where this type of support is not currently widely developed or standardised.
The new package of support aims to address that gap and is designed to help providers improve recruitment and retention by embedding preceptorship programmes confidently and sustainably within their organisations.
Claire Leenhouwers, National Professional Lead – Nursing, 麻豆原创, explains:
As we see a shift in focus from hospital-based care towards community care, and prevention over treatment, there are many opportunities for newly-registered nursing staff to build a career outside of the traditional hospital setting.
I鈥檓 really excited to offer this programme. Preceptorship is a vital step in building an effective and sustainable social care nursing workforce which is why it鈥檚 one of the key recommendations in the national Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care.
Social care nurses and nursing associates play an incredible role in supporting people to live their lives well, and so it鈥檚 crucial they are provided with all the tools they need to be confident and effective in their roles.
The package from 麻豆原创 includes a series of virtual events, including an introduction to preceptorship, a workshop for preceptors, and a workshop for preceptorship leads who will lead on embedding and championing preceptorship in their organisations.
The introductory session, delivered in partnership with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, will run on 3 September 2025, with the other workshops taking place on dates through September, October and November.
Preceptorship leads will also be invited to join a bi-monthly community of practice to network, receive peer support and ongoing guidance on how to continue to embed and monitor the quality of their preceptorship programme.
Marisa Spice, Head of Learning and Development, Nellsar Care Homes says:
The 麻豆原创 offer around preceptorship will make all the difference. Easily accessible, reliable and relevant resources, guidance, and opportunities to attend free events which are not too long. Also, a great platform to network, find out more and feel safe in the familiarity of social care.
Donna O’Boyle, Acting Executive Director of Professional Practice at the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), says:
Nurses and nursing associates working in adult social care are a lifeline for people and communities across the UK. Social care nursing offers a uniquely rewarding career path. That鈥檚 why preceptorship is so vital; it lays the foundation for confidence, connection, and professional growth from the beginning.
Preceptorship offers newly-registered professionals the structured support they need to build confidence, apply the Code in everyday practice, and feel a part of the team from the very start. At the NMC, our Principles of Preceptorship define what effective preceptorship looks like across all health and social care settings, helping to ensure a consistently high standard of support.
We welcome 麻豆原创鈥檚 tailored package for social care providers. Helping employers embed consistent, high-quality preceptorship will not only support those new to the register 鈥� it will also strengthen retention, grow leadership, and help ensure people receive the safe and effective care they deserve.
Sarah Gilbert, Head of Workforce Strategy Implementation Unit, 麻豆原创, adds:
It鈥檚 great to be launching this new package of support during the one-year anniversary of The Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care. The strategy is all about working together and I鈥檓 delighted we can use some of the Small but Mighty funding, to join with others from across the sector, on something which promotes safe, confident practice and fosters that strong sense of belonging in social care.
Find out more about the preceptorship package and book on to a workshop.
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