Can I adopt if I have health issues?

As part of applying to adopt applicants have a medical that is usually conducted by their own G.P. Many health issues do not prevent people from adopting and the medical is influential in helping us decide about this.

In general, we are looking for people who are physically fit and well enough to manage the day to day challenges of adopting and who have a good enough level of emotional wellbeing to cope with the stresses that applying to adopt and parenting can bring.

We are sometimes asked in particular about weight and BMI. We do not have fixed rules about BMI and welcome applications from all, but where there is an applicant with a BMI over 40 this issue will need careful exploration throughout the assessment process and applicants need to be able to provide evidence of a healthy lifestyle and commitment to weight loss.