Fostering and mental health – what you need to know

If you are considering fostering, you may be wondering if you can foster if you live with mental health problems, or whether you can care for children who have these challenges.

At Beacon Fostering, we provide the lowdown on all the essential information that you need to know when embarking on this complex yet rewarding journey.

Past and present issues

Firstly, you should know that having mental health problems is not necessarily an obstacle to becoming a foster parent. You can still make a positive impact on a child’s life in spite of such challenges.

During the assessment stage, your health and wellbeing will be evaluated, taking into account the nature of your condition, how long you have lived with it and if you have undergone any treatments or are taking any medication.

Whether or not you can provide foster care will be determined on a case-by-case basis. If you develop a mental health problem while fostering a child, the child may be removed from your care until you recover. Rest assured though that many agencies will work with your GP and social workers to develop a treatment plan.

Fostering children with mental health challenges

You can foster children who are struggling with their mental health. If you yourself have experienced a similar condition before, it may even enable you to display a deeper understanding of their condition.

Again, this is based on a case-by-case basis and discussions with your fostering agency and GP. Here at Beacon Fostering, you can rely on us to provide you with guidance throughout the process.