Peer-led mentoring to support racially minoritised applicants to UK public health specialty training: A regional pilot

Objectives

Differential attainment (DA) describes persistent differences in academic and professional outcomes between demographic groups that cannot be explained by differences in ability or effort. In UK public health specialty training, racially minoritised applicants experience lower success rates during recruitment. Peer-led mentoring interventions have shown potential in helping to address inequities by providing access to informal knowledge and support. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and early outcomes of a regional peer-led mentoring scheme designed to support racially minoritised applicants applying to UK public health specialty training.

Study design

Pilot intervention and mixed-methods evaluation.

Methods

This peer-led pilot intervention was delivered over two public health specialty recruitment cycles in the South-East of England. Applicants from Black and South Asian backgrounds were matched with current public health trainees (“buddies”) for informal mentoring. Participation outcomes were tracked, and feedback was collected throughout the scheme alongside anonymous post-scheme surveys of applicants and buddies.

Results

In 2023–24, 13% of participants in the buddy scheme were invited to interview, with 4.3% subsequently receiving offers, compared with a national offer rate of approximately 9.8%. In 2024–25, 17.2% of participants were invited to interview and 10.3% received offers, compared with national offer rates of approximately 5.7%. Applicants reported increased confidence and a clearer understanding of the recruitment process. Buddies described mentoring as rewarding but highlighted challenges balancing the role alongside existing workload.

Conclusion

This peer-led buddy scheme appears feasible and valued by participants and may help support racially minoritised applicants navigating public health specialty recruitment. However, the small sample size and comparison with overall national offer rates, rather than ethnicity-specific comparator data, limit interpretation of recruitment outcomes. Addressing differential attainment is likely to require interventions beyond peer support alone and should be embedded within broader structural equity initiatives.