Our health consultants develop a range of practice notes, briefings and other resources to support our members in their work with children and young people in care.
News and updates
Re-thinking domestic abuse in child protection: A call for change
At a recent Quality Circle meeting, chaired by Gemma Taylor KC and featuring Professor Brid Featherstone, over 160 participants came together to explore ways to improve how child protection systems address domestic abuse. In this summary, Kinship Consultant Clare Seth shares key findings, lessons, challenges and actions from the discussion.
Read moreMajor NHS England changes to improve health services
Changes to NHS England have been announced in an attempt to improve health services. In these reforms it is vital that the needs of vulnerable children, children in care and adopted children, are not forgotten.
Read moreAnnual Health Conference 2025
We are delighted to announce our Early Bird Sale for this year’s CoramBAAF Annual Health Conference. Book now to join us on 30 June 2025 at Coram Campus, 41 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AZ.
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Putting Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion at the heart of health services for children in care
The annual health conference is a key event in the calendar of medical advisers, doctors and nurses working with care experienced and adopted children. It is a conference that brings together practice and ideas that are current, relevant to you, and which matter.
We are all aware of the huge pressures facing the NHS and social care. Our programme is geared toward helping professionals to navigate these challenges by highlighting the pathways toward better care for children and young people.
Upcoming training and events
Getting started in: Health’s role in fostering, adoption and kinship
21 May 2025 | 9am - 9.55am | Zoom
As the UK’s leading membership organisation for professionals working across adoption, fostering and kinship care we want to equip professionals like you with the knowledge, best practices, and resources needed to improve the lives of children and young people.
Medical advisers for adoption and fostering update day
4 November | 9.45am - 3pm | Online via MS Teams
We will use the day for updates on recent changes to national guidance or legislation and any changes to CoramBAAF advice. There will be opportunities for you to pose your questions, as well as seek peer review from other MAs in smaller group time. The session will include a look at implications of any pertinent child safeguarding practice reviews or court rulings, National Adoption strategies and Kinship strategies.
In our bookshop
All BooksMy brother Booh has ADHD
This short booklet for children is part of a series designed to teach children about a range of health conditions common to many looked after children. This story about ADHD will be helpful for any child aged seven to 11 who finds it difficult to stay still or pay attention or whose behaviour frequently gets them into trouble. It will be equally useful for a child who knows someone with ADHD.
Read moreOli and the pink bicycle
This short booklet for children is part of a series designed to teach children about a range of health conditions common to many looked after children. This story about Foetal Alcohol Syndrome will be helpful for any child aged seven to 11 whose development and behaviour has been affected by parental substance misuse, or who knows someone else who is affected.
Read moreParenting Matters: Parenting a child affected by domestic violence
This book is part of CoramBAAF’s Parenting Matters series which explores many of the health conditions commonly diagnosed in looked after children. This guide explores domestic violence, its links with child neglect, and its effects on children at different ages and stages of development. It provides expert knowledge coupled with facts, figures and guidance presented in a straightforward and accessible style.
Read moreParenting Matters: Parenting a child affected by parental substance misuse
This book is part of CoramBAAF’s Parenting Matters series which explores many of the health conditions commonly diagnosed in looked after children. 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. It provides expert knowledge coupled with facts, figures and guidance presented in a straightforward and accessible style.
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Read our latest blogs
- The healthiest generation of children ever: a roadmap for the health system
- Crossing cultures
- Publication trends in ‘Adoption & Fostering’
- Child health in the UK is deteriorating – what are we doing about it?
- The impact of long-term state care on the mental health of children
- A healthy winter ahead?
- Safe in care or in harm’s way? Recognising and responding to risks to keep children in care safe
- A spotlight on the mental health of care-experienced children and young people
- NICE publish quality standard for assessment and diagnosis of FASD
CoramBAAF Conversations
Our podcast series is dedicated to exploring topics related to adoption, fostering and kinship care. We invite children's social care professionals and experts by experience to join us to share best practices, their experiences and knowledge.
Podcast episode

Episode 21| The impact of the online world on the mental health of care-experienced children
Dr. Vicki Walker shares her belief that everyone working in education, the police, social care, and the third sector has a role in setting an example and taking action. Vicki and Jane’s work is creating tools for social workers and children’s social care professionals to start conversations with children and young people about the online world and their mental health.
Listen hereEpisode 16 | Post adoption depression
Listen hereEpisode 9 | What is a health assessment?
Listen hereJoin our health group
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Special interest group
The CoramBAAF health group provides our members with a forum to improve standards of practice for health professionals working in adoption, fostering, kinship and child care practice.
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CoramBAAF’s practice forums provide our members with a unique opportunity to discuss professional practice and share knowledge and expertise with colleagues.
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Our forums will help you to keep up-to-date about national policy and law, contribute to policy development, and refer topics and examples of good practice to CoramBAAF’s advisory committees.
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