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.
New Initial Health Assessment Standards
Delivering on child-led outcomes
The new Initial Health Assessment Delivery Standards by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health aim to improve children and young people’s experience of IHAs, their outcomes and their health and wellbeing. This will contribute to a reduction in the longer-term health disparities experienced by children and young people in care compared to their peers.
Read moreCoramBAAF 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.
Child Health assessment forms
CoramBAAF has published the updated Child Health assessment forms (2025). This group of forms includes both initial and review health assessment forms, and parental, maternal and neonatal health forms.
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Supporting better outcomes for children in care
The aim of a health assessment is to provide a comprehensive picture of a child’s health needs, and to ensure these needs are met, including planning for the future and ultimately improving long term health outcomes. As children enter care, health assessments have a safeguarding function as they ensure health care is appropriate, timely and maintained.
Find out moreChild Health Suite briefing session recording
To support you in accessing and using CoramBAAF's Child Health assessment forms, Ellie Johnson, our Health Consultant has pre-recorded a briefing session that covers everything you need to know about the new Child Health assessment forms.
Increasing access to evidence-informed mental health service provision for children in care in England – National recommendations for change
Twenty actionable recommendations to improve mental health service provision for this group of young people. Recommendations span commissioning practices, integrated service delivery, and workforce training.
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Making the case for better mental health support for children in care
James Bury, CoramBAAF’s Head of Policy, Research and Development, shares reflections on a key report that has been launched this week. ‘Increasing access to evidence-informed mental health service provision for children in care in England – National recommendations for change’ was authored by Professor Rachel Hiller alongside key academic authors and contributors and has been supported by CoramBAAF, UCL and UK Trauma Council.
Read moreThe need for improved recognition of neurodevelopmental conditions in adopted and fostered young people
Young people who have been in foster care or adopted are more likely to experience mental health issues and developmental conditions like autism and ADHD. However, they and their families often struggle to get accurate diagnoses and feel let down by existing mental health services. This is partly because professionals may overemphasise attachment and trauma, missing common conditions like autism and ADHD.
Online First
Adoption & Fostering journal
The article explains that these children are at higher risk due to both genetics and life experiences, and unrecognised conditions can lead to worse outcomes. It calls for specialist services to provide thorough assessments and includes a case of a 16-year-old girl whose undiagnosed autism and ADHD caused serious harm.
Members, sign in to readIn our bookshop
All Books
Parenting Matters: Parenting a child with mental health issues
This book is part of CoramBAAF’s Parenting Matters series which explores many of the health conditions commonly diagnosed in looked after children. This book focuses on mental health issues. If you are looking to adopt a child, this guide will give you practical and realistic information on what this condition may mean for your child, along with their symptoms, prognosis and treatment.
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Children's health bundle
Get four of our children's books that explore the topic of health for £20 - usually £27.80! They include stories about foetal alcohol spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia and other health-related themes.
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Supporting the mental health of looked after and adopted children
This Good Practice Guide for social workers translates the theoretical concepts and research about children’s mental health into straightforward language and practical advice. Taking a holistic and attachment-focused approach, it demonstrates how to understand children’s background and current events, rather than focusing on diagnostic criteria and labels.
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The foster carer's handbook on health
This guide is a must for foster carers seeking to support the health of a child or young person in their care, and in turn help to improve their life chances. It is particularly suited to newly approved foster carers, but experienced carers will also find it useful to confirm or expand their knowledge.
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Join 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.
Find out moreJoin our practice forums
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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Join today
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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