Meeting the health needs of foster children in foster care.

Foster carers are expected to support children’s health needs in the following ways:

Attending health reviews

Children in foster care have health reviews to monitor and support with the child’s physical development. Foster carers must attend the reviews, or at least be aware of the outcomes so they can support when needed.

Obtain delegated authority

Foster carers need to confirm delegated authority from the child’s social worker so that the child’s health needs can be met.

Registering the child with health services

If delegated authority has been confirmed, the foster carers will register the child with local dentist, GP and optician (if required).

Request specialist help if it’s needed

If the child has specialist support needs, this should be arranged with the support of the child’s social worker.

Administer medication safely

Foster carers must follow the medication policy, which includes safe storage of medication and ensuring that the medication is only given to the person who is named on the label, according to the stated dosage.

Promote good health

Good health is promoted in children by supporting them to have good hygiene, eating a varied healthy diet, staying active and having good emotional health.

Speaking with the child about their health

Children should always be consulted about their health needs if they have the capacity to contribute.

Maintaining health and safety standards

The fostering home and other locations visited by the child should adhere with the health and safety assessment completed by the fostering provider. This includes making sure that the child cannot reach harmful substances (including medication, cleaning products and alcohol) and the home is generally safe for children.

Don’t smoke or vape near children

It’s not permissible for smokers to care for children under age 3 and babies should not be spending extended time with any other smokers.

Foster carers (of older children) cannot smoke in the fostering home.

Children should be discouraged from smoking or vaping.

Understand the link between emotional, mental and physical health

Poor emotional and mental health can lead to physical health problems. Foster carers should be mindful that children who are complaining of poor physical health may struggle to articulate psychological distress.

Attend training for specialist needs

All foster carers are expected to complete basic training on health needs of children. Foster carers of children with complex needs are expected to complete further training on the specific needs of the children they are caring for.