The role of local government in a future, reformed system of adult social care. Findings from the LGA’s national engagement programme and recommendations for a way forward.
This publication has been developed by the LGA for elected members as overarching guidance to help clarify the current public health grant conditions and mandated public health functions in local government. It has been updated to reflect the 2026/27 public health grant settlement, the consolidation of drug, alcohol and smoking cessation funding streams, the Government's 10 Year Health Plan and Neighbourhood Health Framework, and the NHS restructuring programme under way. It will be updated as the policy landscape continues to evolve.
This guide covers the questions to ask about vaccine uptake in your area, the vaccines and schedules relevant to different age groups, and real-world case studies from councils already making progress.
The following summary sets out a new programme of sector led improvement support for adult social care and public health services available to councils in 2026/27.
The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) has never had a more central role in English health and care. The policy changes of 2025 and 2026 have created a formal requirement for JSNA evidence to inform NHS commissioning decisions at the neighbourhood level. This toolkit will help Health and Wellbeing Boards lead a new generation of JSNA in the context of neighbourhood health.
The annual Employer Standards survey, known as the ‘Health Check’, amplifies the voices of registered social workers, occupational therapists, and non‑registered social care workers.
The annual Employer Standards survey, known as the ‘Health Check’, amplifies the voices of registered social workers, occupational therapists, and non‑registered social care workers.
This report presents findings from the Partners in Care and Health (PCH) digital switchover survey, commissioned by Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England to assess councils’ readiness for the migration from analogue to digital telecare services. The survey received 66 responses, including 63 councils with adult social care responsibilities, representing a response rate of approximately 41% of upper-tier authorities. While this limits the extent to which findings can be generalised across the whole sector, the results provide a snapshot of progress (May 2025), confidence levels, and areas of emerging risk as the January 2027 switch-off deadline approaches.
This guidance explains how local authority public health teams can support new developments in the NHS following publication of Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England. It provides a specific focus on public health support to the Strategic Commissioning function of Integrated Care Boards and the implementation of Neighbourhood Health.
