General Practitioners (GPs) are uniquely placed to play a significant role in the fostering and adoption processes. Not only are they responsible for conducting thorough health assessments of potential foster carers and adopters, but they also provide medical advice and support to fostering and adoption agencies and Local Authorities (LAs).
Let’s take a closer look at the role of GPs in fostering and adoption medicals.
GP Medical Assessments For Fostering and Adoption
When applying to foster or adopt, applicants have to undergo a series of rigorous checks to ensure that they can provide a safe, stable, and loving home for vulnerable children
As part of this process, all foster carers and adopters must have a fostering medical or adoption medical, which takes a look at their past medical history, overall health, and any health conditions or disabilities.
GPs are responsible for carrying out these medical assessments. They will review an applicant’s medical records to gain a picture of their health status, and will also undertake physical examinations of prospective foster carers and adopters, to gain a snapshot of their current health, including basic health checks such as BMI and blood pressure
Medical assessments for fostering and adoption can either be carried out by the applicant’s own family doctor (GP) or by a specialist GP service that undertakes assessments for independent fostering and adoption agencies and local authorities.
Medical Adviser Services
Where medical forms have been completed by the applicant along with their GP, independent medical advisor services can then prepare an official report.
This report will highlight any relevant information for agencies or LAs to consider, going into detail about any medical conditions or health concerns and how these might impact an applicant’s ability to care for a child or children.
The report might also stipulate any further investigations needed or set out recommended age ranges for the child or children in relation to an applicant’s health and medical background.
Where social workers have specific queries or concerns, fostering and adoption medical advisers can provide information and guidance by phone or secure email.
Expert Advice For Fostering and Adoption Panels
GPs also have a role to play in fostering and adoption panels.
A panel is where a social worker puts forward all the information they have gathered about an applicant over a period of time, along with all the person’s background checks, references, and medical reports, so that an independent panel of people can make a recommendation about whether or not that applicant should be approved to adopt or foster.
As previously discussed in our recent blog ‘How Medical Advisors Support Fostering Panels’, GP fostering and adoption medical advisers can be an invaluable addition to panels, particularly where an applicant has specific health needs or a known condition or disability.
Orr Medical – Expert GP Services For Fostering and Adoption
As you can see, the expert opinions and insights of GPs are invaluable to agencies and local authorities who are responsible for the assessment of would-be foster carers and adopters.
GPs can also offer medical support and advice to applicants, enabling them to take steps to improve and maintain their health and increase their chances of success in applying to foster or adopt a child.
At Orr Medical, we pride ourselves on our commitment to quality and efficiency. We provide a range of medical advisor services to a growing number of independent fostering and adoption agencies and local authorities, offering comprehensive and personalised support and advice where needed.
To find out more, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, or for urgent requests and same-day services, you can call us on 01772 915861.