Frequently asked questions: public health peer reviews and external support

What is the Public Health Improvement Programme?

The LGA’s Public Health Improvement team is pleased to have received funding from the Department of Health and Social Care to provide a refreshed programme of support to councils across England. As part of the Government’s “Fit for the future: 10-year Health Plan for England”, local government has a central role to play in health prevention, and public health is key to its delivery.

The programme involves a range of support:

• Public Health Peer Reviews
• Universal support, available to all councils
• Targeted support to councils, based on specific council need
• Responsive call-off support, based on sector or specific council need.

The programme is designed to help ensure that councils are better supported to deliver on their statutory duties and public health outcome priorities. We are in continuous consultation with the sector to ensure that support is relevant and responds to sector needs.

When does the programme start?

Planning for the Programme started in April 2026, with pilot peer reviews taking place and other improvement support available from July 2026.

What are Public Health Peer Reviews?

The expansion of delivery of the LGA’s Public Health Peer Reviews is part of the LGA’s new public health improvement offer and directly responds to the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan for England commitment that every upper tier and unitary council will undergo a Public Health Peer Review on a regular cycle, with the results informing local improvement planning. 
The peer reviews will provide structured, supportive external challenge from sector peers ‘holding the mirror up’ to identify strengths and shared learning opportunities.

Ninety Public Health Peer Reviews will be delivered over the next three years: 20 peer reviews in 2026/27, with this number increasing to 35 for the two subsequent years.

Where a peer review identifies specific challenges and areas for improvement, there is potential for councils to access support to help turn recommendations into practical   improvement action.

Why is the Public Health Improvement Programme being refreshed now?

The programme’s launch reflects ongoing challenges around inequalities, demand, funding and prevention, and supports councils to deliver against national priorities, including reforms to the Public Health Grant and the forthcoming Local Government Outcomes Framework.

The programme aligns with the government’s stated health mission to build a health service fit for the future via three radical shifts:

• hospital to community
• analogue to digital
• sickness to prevention

[Source: 10 Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future, Department of Health and Social Care, Published 3 July 2025, Accessed 15 June 2026. Available at: 10 Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future - GOV.UK]

Who is the programme aimed at?

The programme is aimed at upper tier councils who have responsibility for public health. The aim is to support councils with their public health responsibilities. 

Will there be Public Health Peer Review pilots?

Yes. Pilot reviews will be undertaken before national rollout to refine the scope. They will be based on the LGA’s tried and test peer review methodology and sector led improvement principles.

What will the Public Health Peer Reviews focus on?

The themes and key lines of enquiry (KLOEs) of the peer reviews are based on assessment of sector needs and consultation with the sector. They will be piloted from July to September 2026, but are likely to include:

• Leadership and Governance
• Vision and Priorities
• Partnership Working
• Data, Intelligence and Outcomes
• Resources, Quality and Commissioning
• Statutory Responsibilities.

How has the scope of the Public Health Peer Reviews been devised?

Engagement with the sector is informing the development of the core Public Health Peer Review themes and Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOEs). This has been undertaken through a combination of methods including attendance at ADPH regional network meetings, conferences, professional events, focus groups and targeted stakeholder discussions. By the end of the consultation, over 500 people in the sector would have contributed. This approach ensures the model is being co-developed with the sector and reflects a broad and representative range of views.

Following evaluation of the pilot peer reviews any amendments to the core themes and KLOEs will be communicated and consulted on before and finalising for roll out.

Can councils input into what is covered in the Public Health Peer Review?

While the core themes for the Public Health Peer Reviews will be consistent across councils, there will be some flexibility within this if the council has a particular area it is keen for the team to focus on during the peer review process.

What is the format of a Public Health Peer Review?

Peer reviews will follow the LGA’s tried and tested methodology which will include:

1. Preparation and Engagement: Production of a Data and Information Pack, including a short position statement from the council and supporting documents/data; peer review team appointment and briefing; pre-engagement with council. 
2. Onsite Delivery: three days of timetabled meetings and focus groups with internal and external stakeholders undertaken by the peer review team, with a feedback presentation on the final day.
3. Post-Peer Review: Agreement and publication of the peer review report within four weeks; council senior leadership to develop an improvement plan within three months, informed by peer review recommendations and supported by the LGA and Regional Directors of Public Health.

Who will be on the Public Health Peer Review teams?

The peer review team will comprise of:

• Local Authority Chief Executive (lead peer)
• Director of Public Health
• Elected member peer (reflective of the political leadership of the council)
• Public Health Consultant/ Specialist/ Principal or equivalent 
• Another peer/s relevant to the scope, e.g. health, Voluntary, Community, Faith, and Social Enterprise (VCFSE)
• LGA Peer Review Manager.

If you are interested in joining our pool of peers, we would love to hear from you- please get in touch with [email protected].

What is a Public Health Peer Reviewer?

As a peer reviewer, you will work as part of a small team to support councils through peer reviews and other improvement activity. Peer reviewers are fully supported by the LGA, including training, briefing and ongoing development, ensuring consistency of approach and high standards of delivery.

Each peer review ensures that peers’ skills and experience align with the needs and context of the council that has requested the peer review.

Participation is flexible and designed to fit around existing roles, with opportunities to contribute to peer reviews and wider programme activity.

What does the LGA want from Public Health Peer Reviewers?

Peers are at the heart of peer reviews which are managed and delivered by the sector for the sector and provide a ‘critical friend’ and ‘trusted adviser’ perspective. A peer team consists of people with the relevant experience and knowledge. A peer is:

• a team player  
• able to ‘hold the mirror up’ to identify strengths and areas for improvement
• able to provide constructive support & challenge 
• able to analyse and understand large volumes of information and data 
• someone who displays professional curiosity
• aware of political, structural, geographical context and changes.

How do I become a Public Health Peer Reviewer?

You will be able to register interest, provide a short expression of interest and undertake LGA peer review training. Please contact [email protected] to express an interest in getting involved. 

My council is going through Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). Will we still be expected to take part?

Councils going through LGR can have a Public Health Peer Review, but timing will be discussed to ensure alignment with local context, capacity and transition.

Is having a Public Health Peer Review mandatory?

DHSC ministers expect all councils to participate, with 90 peer reviews planned from 1 June 2026 to 31 March 2029. The government’s 10 Year Health Plan for England states that:

“From 2026, we will set the expectation that every single or upper tier local authority participates in an external Public Health Peer Review exercise, on a 5-year cycle, with the results directly informing local plans. We will work with the Local Government Association and other improvement experts to help local government public health services improve and adopt best practice.”

Who will decide when the council has a Public Health Peer Review?

The timing and prioritisation of peer review activity will be agreed collaboratively between the council, the LGA and DHSC Regional Directors of Public Health The current programme runs until 2029, in which time 90 councils will receive a peer review.

Are strategic authorities expected to undertake a Public Health Peer Review?

No, the Public Health Peer Reviews are specifically targeted to local authorities. However, where relevant the peer review team will engage with the relevant strategic authority.

What are the benefits for councils from undertaking a Public Health Peer Review?

Peer reviews are a tried, tested and trusted way of supporting local government improvement through providing independent challenge by peers undertaking the role of ‘trusted adviser’, actionable recommendations, opportunity to spotlight strengths, celebrate achievements and enable a focus on future ambitions. With a wide range of people engaged in the peer review, it will help to renew focus and energies within the council and with partners and stakeholders.

Is there a cost to councils?

There is no cost to councils other than their time and commitment to the process. The Programme is nationally funded.

How long will a Public Health Peer Review take?

Typically, a Public Health Peer Review entails three days onsite, with planning starting 6-8 weeks prior.

How will the findings be used?

Findings will inform local planning and improvement activity.

The LGA will also use peer review findings from across the country to identify where there is a collective sector need for support, which will help inform our universal offer of support. These findings will not be attributable to specific councils.

How do councils sign up?

If your council is interested in receiving a Public Health Peer Review or in hearing more about the peer review process and the Programme, please contact [email protected].

How will the Public Health Peer Review work with local partners?

Peer review teams engage with a range of relevant partners e.g. the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and other health colleagues, Voluntary, Community, Faith, and Social Enterprise (VCFSE), and providers. Where relevant, the review will also involve strategic/ combined authorities and district councils.

How will the peer review process interact with the DHSC/OHID assurance processes in relation to the Public Health Grant (PHG)?

The peer review process will have regard to regional findings from PHG assurance processes as part of how the council enables resources to deliver local public health priorities.

What is happening to the existing public health improvement support offer provided by the LGA?

Elements of the existing public health improvement support will be included in the new Programme. All elements of the programme will continue to be co-developed with councils, Directors of Public Health and public health teams.

What universal support will be provided?

The Programme provides a broader suite of tools, workshops and development opportunities to support continuous improvement as part of its universal offer of support. This includes but is not limited to:

• The Public Health Learning Exchange for shared learning, discussion forums
• Health in All Policies (HiAP) support, including a HiAP Framework, Councillors’ Guide, and a HiAP National Network for Public Health Consultants and other senior public health specialists
• Case Studies and Blogs on our webpage
• Refreshed online Public Health Strengths and Risks Self-assessment
• Webinars and Lunch and Learn sessions
• Peer training  
• Annual Public Health Conference.

Universal support can be accessed via our webpages, and details of events are communicated via LGA bulletins.

If you are interested in joining the HiAP National Network, please contact [email protected].

What is the purpose of the Learning Exchange platform?

The LGA’s Learning Exchange platform for public health will be refreshed providing councils with the following:

The Learning Exchange aims to:

• enable councils to share resources, tools, and lessons learnt, helping others avoid “reinventing the wheel”.
• provide peer support, connecting colleagues across councils who are facing similar challenges and opportunities
• support continuous improvement, offering an evidence base and real-world practice examples.

We will be inviting expressions of interest to join a focus group to help inform the review, development and re-launch of the Public Health Learning Exchange.

What targeted support can councils access?

Councils can access targeted support where there is a specific need. For instance, in areas where a Public Health Peer Review identifies specific challenges or opportunities for development, councils can access targeted support to help turn recommendations into practical and sustained improvement. The support could be scoped and tailored to a specific improvement area or come from a range of existing support offers:

Facilitated HiAP workshops, focused on action planning based on the degree to which HiAP is, and can be, adopted in designing and improving frontline services, organisational development, priority setting and place and system level planning.

Prevention Matters training, designed to support elected members to be champions for public health and contribute to improving the health of their communities through an interactive workshop. 

Political awareness training sessions, designed to support public health teams in building political awareness and developing confidence when working with elected members. By strengthening understanding of the political environment, participants will be better equipped to navigate decision-making processes and foster productive relationships.

Support for local government reorganisation (LGR) from a public health lens. 

Where can I learn more about the support offer? Who can I contact for more information?

Information about the support offer is available via our website. It will also be promoted at various upcoming events, including: 

• LGA Conference at the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) from 7-9 July, where you will be able to come and talk to us at Stand B3 near the Innovation Zone. 
• ADPH network conferences.

You can also contact the team directly at [email protected].