Our health consultants develop a range of practice notesbriefings and other resources to support our members in their work with children and young people in care.


Upcoming training and events

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Bookings now open

24 June 2024 | In person | London
We are excited to announce our Annual Health Conference will take place on Monday 24 June 2024, in-person at Coram Campus, (QEII Conference Centre) in London. A key event for all Health Professionals working with adoption and fostering agencies.

Register your interest
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Child health assessments

12 March | 10am - 3.30pm | Teams
Medical Advisers need to be aware of the relevant legislation, statutory guidance and competencies framework.

Book here
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Adult health assessments

19 March | 10am - 3.30pm | Teams
Analysing adult health assessments is a key element of assessing adopters and foster carers.

Book here

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

Ascertaining risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder at initial health assessments for children in care

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) from prenatal alcohol exposure poses risks for looked after children. Timely diagnosis is crucial, and an audit in Brighton and Hove assessed the documentation of alcohol use and recorded information about the risk of developmental problems in initial health assessments from April 2021 to April 2022. Read more in 'Ascertaining risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder at initial health assessments for children in care' by Layla Beckett, Michelle Bond.

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Watch the recording from our Exploring Expertise

This session provided an overview of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). It aimed to help fostering and adoption services by providing strategies and resources to assist those who are working with children or young people with a FASD diagnosis. Our presenters were Sandy and Martin Butcher, co-founders and co-chairs of the Hertfordshire FASD Support Network. Our Chair was Alice Sewell, trainer at NationalFASD.

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Dealing with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

This authoritative guide is an essential read for all those working with or looking after fostered and adopted children who may be affected by FASD, to help ensure that they provide the support these children need to reach their full potential.

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Parenting a child affected by parental substance misuse

This guide explores general issues around substance misuse and children entering care, as well as the impact on children of exposure to substances during pregnancy, and possible effects on children at different ages and stages of development.

Read our book

Watch our recordings

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Does weight matter?

Members can watch this Exploring Expertise webinar again as CoramBAAF Health Consultant, Ellie Johnson, explains how obesity impacts health, and discusses the relevance in adoption and fostering adult assessments.

Watch again

Adoption & Fostering journal

Adoption & Fostering is the only quarterly peer-reviewed journal dedicated to adoption, fostering and kinship issues. Members, make sure to sign in to your website account to access the below articles.

Rising levels of obesity and medical problems for prospective substitute carers in Gloucestershire

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Audit of Looked After Children (LAC) in residential care and BMI increase in one UK local authority

Read more