Can I Foster with a Long-Term Health Condition?

While undeniably rewarding, looking after vulnerable children can be emotionally challenging and physically demanding. Not only do you have to be inherently patient, compassionate and resilient (which isn't always easy), but you also need plenty of energy to keep up with a busy and changeable household.

As a result, social workers and foster agencies consider mental and physical health concerns during the application process. However, rest assured that your medical history doesn't necessarily mean you won't be able to become a carer. According to The Fostering Network, there is very little that would automatically prevent you from becoming a foster carer – and too many people rule themselves out unnecessarily.

We're here to explain everything you need to know about fostering with a long-term health condition, from what circumstances affect applications to avenues of support.

What Health Conditions Affect a Foster Carer Application?

First of all, the most important thing when assessing an application is to determine whether or not you can provide a child with a loving and supportive home. Then, this level of care has to be consistent.

Consistency is crucial for children coming from chaotic backgrounds who rely on routine to feel safe. Understanding the roles and responsibilities of a foster carer can help you assess whether you're ready for this commitment.

Yet, it's not always possible to provide consistent care if you have severe physical or mental health illnesses that drastically interrupt day-to-day life.

With that in mind, it's rarely the health problem itself that affects applications – rather the severity and extent of the impact. For example, someone who manages their condition effectively has a better chance of becoming a carer than someone struggling with their disorder.

Before starting your fostering journey, you should carefully consider how your physical and/or mental health assimilates into your everyday life. It may be helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

• Can I hold down a routine (e.g. waking up at the same time)?
• Am I an overall positive person?
• Are my moods, in general, balanced?
• Do I need assistance with daily activities?
• Do I have a good support network?

These questions aren't designed to exclude anyone – they're about understanding your own situation honestly. Many people with long-term conditions go on to become exceptional foster carers because they bring unique empathy, resilience and life experience to the role.

Mental Health and Fostering

Most of us will experience poor mental health at some point in our lives. Experts now believe that major depression is the second leading cause of disability worldwide, contributing to suicide and ischemic heart disease, and 1 in 6 people report feeling anxious or depressed in any given week in England.

Social workers and foster agencies recognise that potential carers aren't immune from this – after all, they're human like everyone else. Plus, the advances in treatment alongside a better understanding of these conditions mean people aren't automatically disqualified based on their histories.

Nevertheless, vulnerable children must be placed in safe and secure homes with reliable caregivers. While having a mental health illness doesn't always negate this, the possibility of relapse or poor management must be thoroughly evaluated during the application process and subsequent visits.

What Questions Will I Be Asked About My Mental Health?

During your assessment, evaluators will want to understand:

• How long have you had the illness?
• Are you experiencing any symptoms?
• Have you been hospitalised in the past year?
• Does your condition negatively impact your life?
• Does your condition impact other family members?
• What medications do you take to manage your condition?
• Besides medication, how do you manage your condition (therapy, lifestyle changes, support groups)?

Ultimately, if you can show you're managing your condition effectively, through medication or talking therapies, then your application has a much stronger chance. Having the right qualities matters far more than having a perfect medical history.

If you've experienced more severe or enduring disorders, including bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, social workers may also need confirmation from your doctor about the stability of your condition. In these cases, your confidentiality is of the utmost importance, and all communication will be handled sensitively.

Can Lived Experience Be an Advantage?

Interestingly, many foster carers find that their experience with mental health challenges actually makes them better carers. You may be more attuned to the emotional needs of children who have experienced trauma, better equipped to recognise early signs of distress, and more patient with behavioural challenges.

Children in care often struggle with their own mental health, and having a carer who genuinely understands what that feels like can be incredibly powerful. Your journey of managing your condition can serve as an inspiring example for young people learning to navigate their own difficulties.

Physical Health and Fostering

All potential foster carers must undergo an adult health check as a standard part of their application process. A doctor or nurse will lead the assessment, which checks if you're physically fit enough to meet the needs of children in your care.

Generally, they'll ask questions about your lifestyle and family history, measure your height and weight, take your blood pressure and arrange a blood test. This medical assessment is a legal requirement outlined by CoramBAAF and The Fostering Network, which work together to ensure fostering services have the information they need.

In most cases, this is the extent of the physical assessment. Long-term conditions that are manageable, like diabetes or asthma, have no bearing on your application. It's only the most extreme physical ailments or illnesses that are taken into account.

While this can be a tricky decision, it prioritises everyone's best interests. Above all else, the focus is on placing children in homes where they'll receive plenty of attention and stability. Caring for a vulnerable child can also be physically taxing, which may be detrimental to your wellbeing if you have a severe or progressive condition.

What About Disabilities?

Having a disability does not prevent you from fostering. According to Fosterline, foster carers with a disability or health condition can make excellent foster carers and role models for children. What matters is whether you can meet the needs of the child in your care.

If you have mobility issues, you might be particularly well-suited to fostering older children or teenagers who don't require the same physical care as younger children. Some children in care have disabilities themselves and would benefit enormously from being placed with a carer who truly understands their experience.

Different Types of Fostering for Different Circumstances

If you're concerned about whether your health condition allows you to foster full-time, there are alternative options that might suit your situation better:

Respite fostering offers short-term placements during weekends or school holidays, giving full-time carers a break while still allowing you to make a meaningful difference in a child's life.

Short-term fostering provides temporary care while longer-term plans are made, which can be more manageable if you have fluctuating health.

Parent and child fostering involves supporting young parents to care for their own babies, which may require different physical demands than caring for active children.

Where Can I Find Support?

If you're a foster carer struggling with your mental or physical health, then always chat with your social worker about what support is available. They aren't there to judge you. Instead, they'll work with you to navigate the situation.

Here at Olive Branch, we're committed to helping carers every step of the way, no matter what arises in their lives. We offer:

• 24/7 telephone support – someone is always available when you need to talk
• Care support – practical help to manage challenging situations
• Ongoing training – including sessions on managing stress and building resilience
• Informal support – regular check-ins with your dedicated social worker
• Social events – opportunities to connect with other foster families
• Support groups – share experiences with carers who understand

Alongside this, if you're really struggling, we have a bank of short break, respite or shared carers available to help. They're the guardian angels of fostering, providing a break for full-time carers by looking after children from anywhere between a few hours each week to a couple of weekends per month.

External organisations like Mind and the NHS mental health services can also provide valuable support alongside the help you receive from us.

Are You Ready to Become a Foster Carer?

To conclude, your mental or physical illness doesn't necessarily compromise your ability to be an excellent carer. The first thing we look for are the right qualities, and whether you're committed to helping a vulnerable child thrive. Then, we evaluate applications on a case-by-case basis, never blankly dismissing candidates because of their histories.

Understanding the fostering process can help you feel more confident about taking this step. You don't need any special qualifications – just the desire to make a difference and the willingness to learn.

What's more, our extensive range of support is designed to help you cope with possible challenges. We offer specialised training, courses, mentoring and more so you can successfully navigate the transition period and beyond. You might also be interested to know that single people can foster too – relationship status is no barrier if you have the right support network.

If you're ready to begin your fostering journey, or simply want to know more, contact our friendly team today. Alternatively, give us a call (with no obligation to go further) on 01706 558910.