What does the fostering medical assessment involve?

A fostering medical assessment is a structured health review used to help determine whether an applicant can safely and sustainably care for a child. It considers the applicant’s current health, relevant medical history and any condition or treatment that could affect day-to-day fostering responsibilities. The assessment is not intended to look for perfect health or operate as a simple pass-or-fail test.

The medical assessment usually forms part of the wider fostering assessment. A fostering service will ask you to complete a health questionnaire and provide consent for relevant medical information to be obtained. Your GP, or another suitably qualified medical professional, may then be asked to prepare a report. The fostering service’s medical adviser reviews the available information and gives advice about your suitability to foster and any support or adjustments that may be needed.

What the assessment may consider

• your general physical health and mobility;
• long-term conditions, disabilities, previous significant illnesses or hospital treatment;
• mental health history, including treatment, counselling or medication where relevant;
• prescribed medicines and whether any condition or treatment affects alertness, stamina, judgement or daily functioning;
• your ability to manage the practical demands of caring for a child, including appointments, routines, school activities and emotionally challenging situations;
• any health issue that could affect your ability to provide consistent care or respond to a child’s needs; and
• the likely effect of fostering on your own health and wellbeing.

The assessment may also take account of the age and needs of children you are being considered to foster. For example, caring for a child with mobility needs, complex health needs or a history of trauma may involve different physical and emotional demands. The medical advice therefore needs to be considered alongside your skills, experience, household circumstances, training and the type of fostering you may be able to undertake.

What happens at the appointment

If an appointment is needed, the medical professional may discuss your medical history, current health, medication, lifestyle and any concerns you have about fostering. You may be asked about previous periods of illness, operations, mental health support, substance use or other matters that are relevant to safe caring. The professional may also carry out routine checks or request further information where this is necessary to provide an informed report.

Answer the questions fully and accurately, including information about conditions that are well managed or no longer causing problems. Withholding relevant information can make it harder for the fostering service to assess what support or safeguards may be appropriate. If you are unsure whether something is relevant, disclose it and ask how it will be considered.

You should take details of current medication, relevant hospital or specialist treatment and any information your GP may not hold. If you have a condition that varies over time, it can be useful to explain how it affects your normal routine, what helps you manage it and whether you have experienced any recent changes.

How the information is used

The medical report is considered with the rest of your fostering assessment. The medical adviser may identify no significant concerns, recommend further information, or suggest practical arrangements that would help you foster safely. These could include adjustments to the home or routine, additional support, limits on the type or age of placement initially considered, or a review after treatment or recovery.

A health condition does not automatically prevent someone from fostering. The important issue is how the condition affects your ability to care for a child and whether any identified risks can be managed appropriately. The fostering service should consider your individual circumstances rather than relying only on a diagnosis or a general assumption about disability or illness.

If the medical information raises a concern, ask the fostering service to explain what the concern is, what further evidence is needed and how it will affect the assessment. You may be asked for a specialist opinion or updated information from a treating professional. A concern should be considered as part of the full assessment, rather than treated as an automatic refusal.

Confidentiality and consent

Medical information is sensitive personal information. You should be told why it is being requested, who will use it and how it relates to the fostering assessment. Only information relevant to assessing your ability to foster should be shared within the appropriate process. If you have questions about consent, confidentiality or access to your records, raise them with the fostering service and the medical professional handling the assessment.

Be open about changes in your health during the assessment. A new diagnosis, change in medication, significant illness or change in mental health does not necessarily end your application, but the fostering service may need updated medical advice before reaching a decision. Keeping the assessment information accurate helps everyone consider whether a proposed placement can be safe and sustainable.

The medical assessment is one part of the wider decision-making process. It does not replace checks such as criminal record checks, references, household assessments, training or interviews. The final recommendation should reflect the complete picture of your circumstances, capabilities and the needs of children who may be placed with you.