32. Fostering, adoption and kinship care

The Fostering Network says nothing in the fostering rules tells a service to turn someone down because of a named condition or medicine. Your health is one part of a wider assessment.

First4Adoption says past or current mental health problems do not rule you out, and neither does taking medicine. The agency looks at how your health might affect parenting as the child grows up.

Your GP will usually complete a health report for the agency’s medical adviser. Be open about your ADHD, any medicine you take and the support you use. Your health is one part of the wider assessment.

Children in care are among the groups in whom ADHD is more common. Trauma, attachment difficulties and foetal alcohol spectrum disorder can have similar features, and a child may have more than one need. Ask the child’s GP, school or social worker how to request a full assessment.

NICE says attachment difficulties should not be treated with medicine. If a child also has ADHD, it should be treated in line with the ADHD guideline.

Children looked after by a local authority in England should have an initial health assessment and regular review health assessments. Reviews are usually every 6 months for children under 5 and every 12 months for older children. Raise concerns about attention, behaviour or learning at these checks.

In England, Pupil Premium Plus may provide extra education funding for eligible children who are looked after or previously looked after. The amount and eligibility can change each year. Ask the child’s school or virtual school about the support available. Wales has separate funding arrangements.

In England, adoptive families and some special guardianship families may be able to get therapeutic support through the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund. Ask your local authority or regional adoption agency for a support needs assessment. Funding rules and limits can change, so check the current guidance.

Support for kinship carers varies by local authority and by the child’s legal arrangement. Ask your council for its kinship local offer and speak to Kinship about benefits, allowances and practical support. Check current national guidance, as pilot schemes and legal duties can change.