At Wholistic Fostering, we believe that your health history doesn’t define your future — what matters most is your capacity to offer safety, stability, and love to a child who needs it.
This is one of the most honest and frequently asked questions we receive — and the answer isn’t as simple as “yes” or “no.” At Wholistic Fostering, we believe great foster carers come from all walks of life, and that includes people who live with physical or mental health conditions.
Health challenges — whether visible or invisible — don’t automatically prevent you from becoming a foster carer. What matters most is your ability to provide a safe, loving, and stable home for a child or young person in care.
We know that many people live with mental health conditions — including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and more. You are not alone. What’s important is how well your condition is managed and how it may impact daily life as a foster carer.
When you apply to foster, we take a compassionate, individual approach. Your mental health history won’t automatically work against you. Instead, we explore:
Our priority is ensuring that children are placed in nurturing homes where they can grow, heal, and thrive. If your mental health supports this, we will support you too.
Physical conditions like diabetes, asthma, arthritis, or even mobility issues don’t disqualify you from fostering. What matters is whether you’re physically well enough to meet the needs of a child — which will vary based on the child’s age and support needs.
As part of your application, we’ll ask you to complete a routine medical assessment with your GP. This helps us better understand your overall wellbeing, and any reasonable adjustments that may need to be considered.
For example:
We recognise that being healthy doesn’t always mean being perfectly well. What’s more important is your ability to be present, consistent, and emotionally available for a child who may be experiencing instability.
You might be:
Whatever your situation, we will always look at you as a whole person, not just your medical history. We understand the richness and resilience that carers bring — especially from underrepresented communities, including Black, African, Caribbean, and multi-heritage backgrounds — and we value the different lived experiences that shape strong, empathetic foster carers.
If you're thinking "I’m not sure if I’d be accepted because of my health", let’s talk about it.
You don’t need to have all the answers right now — that’s what we’re here for. Our team will listen carefully, ask the right questions, and offer honest feedback. No judgment. No pressure. Just clarity and compassion.
If your health — physical or mental — doesn’t prevent you from meeting the needs of a foster child, then it doesn’t prevent you from fostering with us. Full stop.
We offer full training, practical guidance, and ongoing support every step of the way. And if adjustments are needed to help you succeed, we’ll explore those options together.
We welcome enquiries from people of all backgrounds and abilities. Whether you’re ready to apply or just starting to explore, we’re here to help you understand what’s possible.
📞 Speak to our friendly team today — let’s talk openly about how fostering could work for you.