Health

Keeping children healthy is an essential part of being a foster carer, especially when a child may not have had the best care earlier in their life.

Foster carers need a good understanding our child health and know how they can access additional support through LAC nurses and others.

Members of the Fostering Network log in here for more information and resources on health, and access to peer to peer support in our online community.

View our resources on Health

Good practice guidance

Alcohol: information for foster carers (2007)

This information sheet advises foster carers on issues around alcohol. It includes legal information and information on responsibilities of foster carers and fostering services in relation to alcohol and children and young people as well as listing useful organisations.

Download Alcohol: information for foster carers
Drugs and young people in foster care (2008)

This 12 page guide helps foster carers support young people around drug use. It gives tips on how to approach the topic of drugs with young people and encourage them to talk, either with their foster carer or by contacting the organisation FRANK.

Download Drugs and young people in foster care
Smoking: information for foster carers (2011)

Information about laws relating to smoking and the responsibilities of the foster carer.

Download Smoking: information for foster carers

Publications

Health (2009)

For many foster carers, medical matters can be an intimidating and confusing prospect, as they have to navigate not only the questions of responsibility, but also specific conditions they may not have encountered before, as well as the need to provide those in their care with an understanding of healthy eating and lifestyles. By enabling foster carers to develop an understanding of their role, we can help them to provide better support for children and young people in their care.

Order Health online
Health activity sheet (2009)

This is the activity sheet that accompanies the Pathways through Fostering publication Health.

Download Health activity sheet
HIV and AIDS (2007)

This Signpost booklet provides information on HIV and AIDS for foster carers. It gives clear guidance on matters such as hygiene, confidentiality and family contact. It also addresses other issues raised by HIV and AIDS including prejudice of those who are misinformed and encourages the reader to examine their own thoughts and preconceptions.

Order HIV and AIDS online
Medical matters (2008)

Foster carers take responsibility for the day to day health and well-being of the children and young people in foster care. This Signpost booklet provides information on health matters.

Order Medical matters online
Medical treatment card (2005)

These cards, available in packs of ten, allow fostering services and parents to pass on the right to sign for medical treatment to foster carers.

Order Medical Treatment Cards online

The Fostering Network's position

Foster care and smoking: joint position statement (2009)

This brief sets out the joint position of the Smokefree Action Coalition and the Fostering Network in relation to foster care and smoking.

It is intended to describe the shared policy position of those organisations working to protect the public’s health and those working to protect the welfare and interests of foster children. It also outlines two recommendations for local authorities to consider when creating policy in this area.

Download Foster care and smoking: joint position statement

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