In most situations, having a health condition does not stop you from becoming a foster carer.
Health conditions are looked at individually
Everyone is different, so your local council don’t just look at one thing about you. They look at your whole life and try to understand how everything fits together, like how you manage day to day and what support you have. They will consider things like:
- How your health affects your day to day life
- Whether your condition is stable
- What treatment or support you have in place
- Whether you can safely care for a child
- How things are managed when you are unwell
Many people with health conditions foster successfully
There are lots of foster carers who live with health conditions and still provide amazing care for children.
This can include conditions such as:
- Diabetes
- Asthma
- Epilepsy
- Arthritis
- Heart conditions
- Long term pain conditions
Having a condition like this does not automatically mean you cannot foster. What matters is that it is managed well and does not stop you from meeting a child’s needs.
Stability is the most important thing
Fostering is about offering children safety, routine and support. So, the assessment focuses on whether your health allows you to:
- Look after a child consistently
- Keep daily routines in place
- Respond calmly to challenges
- Ask for support when needed
You will be supported through the process
If you do have a health condition, you will not be expected to go through the process alone. The fostering team will talk with you in a supportive and understanding way.
They will also ask for a medical assessment from your GP so they can understand your health properly. Your GP completes a report about your health, and this is then reviewed by an independent medical advisor as part of your fostering assessment. This is a normal part of the process and helps make sure fostering is safe and right for both you and the child.
Being open really helps
It is always best to be honest about your health from the beginning. This is not about judging you. It is about making sure you get the right support and that everything is properly understood.
Sometimes people are surprised to find that their health condition is not a barrier at all.
Chat to our team today
If you are unsure, the best thing to do is have a chat with a fostering team. They can talk things through with you in a simple and friendly way and help you understand your options. You can contact us on 0300 019 0200 or via our enquiry form here.
