Can I adopt or foster if I have a health condition?

Agencies encourage people from a wide range of backgrounds to consider adoption and fostering, but it is important for the children in your care to have a stable family life without any preventable disruption, such as an adoptive parent or foster carer becoming seriously ill due to a long-term health condition.

For this reason all prospective adopters and foster carers have to have a full medical examination carried out by their GP, as part of the assessment process. The prime concern of the agency is that you will have the necessary health and vigour to meet the child needs, in the case of adoption and permanent fostering, until the child reaches adulthood.

Having a medical condition will not automatically rule you out, and it is important to be as open as possible about this when you approach an agency. If you are unsure, ask your GP for advice or talk to an agency in your area.

There is evidence that smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and obesity can lead to health problems, as can eating disorders such as anorexia. If you have a long-term health condition such as diabetes or asthma, or a mental health condition such as depression, your agency would need to carefully consider these factors, and may need to ask you further questions and consult a health specialist.

There is also evidence that passive smoking can damage the health of others, particularly young children. For this reason, many agencies will not usually place a child of pre-school age, or with a respiratory condition such as asthma, with people who smoke.

Find out more about the assessment process for adoption and fostering.

Read our inspiring features on adopting or fostering a child or group of brothers and sisters.

Last updated: 19 December 07

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