So, you've made the brilliant decision to become a foster carer or adoptive parent.
Congratulations! It's an incredible journey ahead, but let's be honest, the medical assessment part can feel daunting. Over the years at Orr Medical, we've worked with many thousands of applicants, and we've seen every scenario you can imagine. We thought it was time to share what we've learned about making this part of your application as straightforward as possible.
Let's Talk About What the Medical Assessment Actually Is
Here's the thing that catches a lot of people off guard. The medical assessment isn't a pass/fail test. I know it can feel like that, especially when you're nervous about it, but that's really not how it works. What we're trying to do is build a complete picture of your health so that everyone, including you, the child, and the agency has the support needed for things to work well.
We look at your physical health, mental health, how you manage day-to-day tasks, and whether you're likely to be able to care for a child not just now but in the years ahead. Yes, you can absolutely foster or adopt with health conditions. We see it all the time. What matters is whether those conditions are well-managed and whether you're realistic about how they might affect your ability to care for a child.
Getting Ready
Fill Out Your Health Form Early On
The Form AH (Adult Health Report) asks about everything, including your current health, past illnesses, what medications you take, your family's medical history, whether you smoke, how much you drink and what level of exercise you undertake amongst other things. It can feel intrusive, but it is all necessary to build a full picture of your health and functional abilities.
The more detail you give us, the better we can assess your application. If you've had a dodgy knee since that football injury in 2015, tell us. If you take antidepressants and they've been working brilliantly for three years, tell us that too. We're not looking for reasons to say no, we're looking to understand your situation properly.
Please don't leave things out because you think they'll count against you. That always backfires.
Get Your GP Medical Records
This is hands down the most important thing you can do if you are NOT having your medical form completed by your own GP practice and are using an independent medical provider. Your GP practice can require up to a month to provide you with the records. You can request them in any format you like but having them in an electronic format makes life easier for you.
If your own GP practice can complete the GP section of the medical form, then you do not need to request access to your medical records.
Just Be Yourself
Having your medical form completed by a GP is your chance to have a proper conversation about your health. The doctor doing your assessment isn't there to catch you out or judge you. They want to understand your situation so they can provide accurate information that the medical adviser can use to help panel understand any health issues or concerns.
Talk openly about how you manage any health issues you've got. If something's been worrying you about whether you're physically or mentally up to fostering or adoption, this is the time to voice it. Ask questions. The more honest the conversation, the better the outcome.
Don't Forget the Good Stuff
It's easy to focus on health problems in a medical assessment, but don't forget to mention the positives too. If you exercise regularly, eat well, sleep properly, have good ways of managing stress, strong support from family and friends, all of those matter. It paints a fuller picture of you as a person who looks after themselves and who takes care of themselves.
What We Actually Look at
Our medical advisers at Orr Medical don't just write "suitable to foster" or "not suitable to foster" and call it a day. We provide detailed reports that actually explain what's going on with your health, what it might mean for fostering or adoption, and what kind of placements might work best for you.
We explain medical conditions in plain English. We talk about how your health might affect your ability to care for a child, both right now and in the future. We often suggest which age groups might be most suitable based on your mobility, energy levels, and overall health. And if there are things you could do to make life easier, we'll highlight those too.
The point is, even if you've got health conditions, there's usually a way forward. It might be with some specific recommendations, such as maybe older children, rather than young children who require lots of lifting and carrying, or maybe with some extra support in place, but there's often a way to make it work.
Specific Health Issues
Mental Health
This is where people worry the most, and I understand why. There's still stigma around mental health, and when you're applying to care for vulnerable children, it's natural to wonder if past or current mental health issues will work against you.
Here's what we actually look for. Is your mental health condition well-managed? Do you understand your own mental health and know when to ask for help? Do you have good support systems? Can you handle the emotional demands of caring for children who might have experienced trauma?
Fostering and adoption can be emotionally intense. Children coming into care have often been through really difficult experiences, which can affect their behaviour and emotional needs. We need to know you've got strategies for managing stress and emotional challenges.
Physical Health
Medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma, arthritis, back problems, mobility issues, none of these automatically rule you out. What matters is whether the condition stops you from doing the things you'd need to do as a carer, and whether it's likely to get significantly worse.
We look at how well controlled the condition is. We think about your functional capacity, such as can you lift a toddler, run around a park with a five-year-old, climb stairs multiple times a day? We also consider your prognosis and life expectancy because children need stability. And we also think about whether there are reasonable adjustments that could help.
Someone with well-controlled diabetes who's fit and active is in a very different position from someone whose diabetes is poorly managed with multiple complications, which impact on their day-to-day functional ability. It's all about context.
Weight
Yes, we do assess weight and BMI, but it's not as simple as "over a certain number means no."
What we're really looking at is your overall health, your mobility, your fitness level, and whether there are related health problems like high blood pressure or sleep apnoea and whether these are well managed. If your weight is affecting your ability to keep up with energetic children or putting you at higher risk of serious health problems in the near future, that will need some further consideration.
But if you're carrying a little extra weight but otherwise healthy, mobile, and active, that's less of a concern. If weight is an issue but you're actively working on it, possibly you're in a weight management program or working with your GP, then that shows commitment and self-awareness, which counts for a lot.
After Your Assessment
If There Are Concerns
Sometimes the medical adviser might recommend further exploration of some areas. I know this can feel frustrating when you just want to get on with things, but it's important. Follow up on these recommendations quickly, as it shows you're committed to the process and helps everyone get the full picture.
Keep Things Updated
Once you're approved, you'll need to let your agency know about any significant health changes. Annual reviews are usual, and they're there to make sure you're still getting the support you need and that you're able to continue caring for children safely.
If the News Isn't What You Hoped
Sometimes concerns are raised that might affect your application, which can feel very difficult to accept.
Often, the medical adviser can suggest things that might help, for example extra support you could access, particular types of placements that would suit you better, lifestyle changes that could make a difference. Sometimes it may mean waiting a bit longer while you get something sorted with your health. Sometimes it means reconsidering what kind of caring role might work best for you.
The medical assessment is important, but it's just one small part of your overall application. The panel looks at everything, including your experience, your support network, your home situation, your motivation, as well as your health. Many people with health conditions successfully foster and adopt every year.
The Bigger Picture
What we do at Orr Medical is provide thorough, honest assessments that help agencies make good decisions. Every case is different, and we treat it that way. We're not just ticking boxes; we're looking at you as a whole person and thinking about what kind of caring arrangement would work best for you and for a child.
Remember, your health is just one small piece of the puzzle. The fostering adoption panel will also consider your life experience, your relationships and support network, your living situation, why you want to foster or adopt, and how you come across in your social worker assessment. It's all taken into account.
In a Nutshell
So, what does all this mean? Be proactive about filling out forms thoroughly with plenty of detail. Be honest about your health, as trying to hide things only makes life harder.
If you've got health conditions, show you're managing them appropriately. Make positive lifestyle changes where you can. Ask for help when you need it. And try not to let health worries consume you. Having health conditions doesn't automatically mean you can't foster or adopt.
The medical assessment is there to protect everyone involved. Approach it with preparation and honesty, and you'll give yourself the best chance of a smooth process.
One Last Thing
The medical assessment isn't meant to be a barrier; it's meant to make sure everyone's set up for success. Yes, it can feel nerve-wracking but view it as a chance to show that you're ready and that you've thought seriously about what you're taking on.
We've seen thousands of people go through this process, and the ones who do best are the ones who are honest about their health, proactive about managing it, and realistic about what they can offer. That's what makes a good foster carer or adoptive parent, not perfect health, but self-awareness, responsibility, and genuine commitment.
If you want more information about what the medical assessment involves or you've got specific questions, have a look at the advice pages on our website or get in touch with your fostering agency or local authority. And if you're working with us for your assessment, we'll do everything we can to make the process as straightforward as possible.
Good luck with your application. What you're doing matters, and we're here to support you through it.
Dr Matthew Orr
Medical Adviser