What health information is needed for foster care approval?

Health information for foster care approval is used by a fostering service’s medical adviser to assess whether an applicant is medically able to provide safe, consistent care. The assessment is not a search for perfect health. It considers how a person’s overall health may affect day-to-day fostering responsibilities, now and in the future, alongside their strengths, support network and the needs of children likely to be placed with them.

What information is usually requested? You will normally be asked to give consent for relevant information to be obtained from your GP. This may include:

• your general medical history and significant past illnesses or operations;
• current or recurring health conditions;
• prescribed medication and any regular treatment;
• mental health history, including relevant treatment or support;
• any disability, mobility issue or other matter that could affect practical caring tasks;
• the likely effect of a condition on stamina, reliability, sleep or emotional resilience; and
• any other information the medical adviser considers relevant to your ability to foster safely.

You may also be asked about lifestyle factors, previous periods of absence from work or medical care, and any health issue that could affect your ability to respond to a child’s needs. The purpose is to understand the practical impact of the information, not to make assumptions based on a diagnosis or prescription.

Who carries out the medical assessment? Your GP usually provides a report or completes the required medical information, but the fostering service’s medical adviser makes the professional assessment for fostering purposes. The medical adviser may review the information, ask for clarification or recommend further evidence where the report does not provide enough detail. This could involve asking for information from a relevant consultant or healthcare professional, with your permission.

The medical adviser’s opinion is considered as part of the full fostering assessment. It is not normally the GP who decides whether you will be approved. The final decision is made through the fostering service’s approval process, taking account of the medical information together with references, safeguarding checks, training, home circumstances and your ability to meet a child’s needs.

Does a health condition prevent someone from fostering? Not automatically. A physical or mental health condition is considered on an individual basis. Relevant questions include whether the condition is stable, whether it is managed effectively, what support or adjustments are available, and whether it could affect the safety or consistency of care. The assessment may also consider the age and needs of children you are being assessed to foster.

Some health circumstances may need closer consideration. For example, the service may need to understand how a fluctuating condition affects energy levels, how treatment affects daily functioning, or whether an illness could limit your ability to supervise, attend appointments or respond in an emergency. If a concern is identified, the medical adviser may suggest practical adjustments, additional support or limits on the types of placements considered.

What about other people in the household? Information about the health of adults or children living in, or regularly using, the fostering household may be relevant where it could affect a placement. The fostering service may ask for appropriate information or discuss how an existing health need could affect household routines, space, supervision and the experience of a fostered child. This does not mean every household member will undergo the same assessment as an applicant.

How is health information handled? Medical information is sensitive personal information. It should be collected with your consent, used for the fostering assessment and shared only with people who need it for the approval process. You should be told what information is being requested and why. If you are unsure whether a request is relevant, ask the fostering service or medical adviser to explain its purpose before providing consent.

It is important to give complete and accurate information. Leaving out a relevant condition or treatment can create difficulties later if the information emerges during assessment or after approval. Being open allows the service to assess what support, adjustments or placement considerations may be appropriate. If your health changes during the assessment, tell the fostering service so that the information remains current.

What if you disagree with the medical opinion? Ask for the reasons behind the opinion and check whether the medical adviser has received the most relevant and up-to-date evidence. You can discuss whether further information from a treating professional would clarify your position. If health concerns contribute to a recommendation not to approve, the fostering service should explain how that conclusion fits within the wider assessment and what procedure applies if you wish to challenge it.

A medical assessment is one part of the approval process rather than a pass-or-fail test based on a single diagnosis. Preparing a clear account of your health, treatment, practical abilities and support arrangements can help the assessment focus on your actual capacity to foster. The fostering service can explain which forms and medical checks apply to your circumstances and what happens next.