A guide to professional development opportunities and possibilities to support allied health professionals (AHPs) lead at all levels.

AHPs are the third largest clinical workforce in the NHS, working across organisational boundaries on most clinical pathways — providing solution-focused, goal-centred care to support patients’ independence. As the NHS Long Term Plan notes, there has never been such a need to harness the AHP workforce’s potential for transforming healthcare.

This interactive guide describes the common features of the AHP leadership journey, by combining insights and evidence from trust chief executives and chief AHPs. Its primary audience is aspiring AHP leaders and those with responsibility for developing the AHP workforce. It will also interest trust boards, commissioners and other system leaders, keen to recognise the AHPs’ potential for leading and delivery transformation across the health and care infrastructure.