Adoption Medicals for Looked After Children
The purpose of this policy is to promote children's physical and mental health and to inform the child's Health Care Plan and to provide a full overview of the child’s health and health history to any prospective adopter(s).
This procedure applies to all children in care who have a plan of adoption.
Once Legal and Permanence Decision Making Panel have agreed to a plan of Adoption, the social worker must arrange for the child to have an Adoption Medical. Please see Appendix 1: Process Map for Adoption Medical Assessments in the Isle of Man.
An Adoption Medical should be requested no less than two months prior to the Best Interest Decision being presented to Adoption Panel, who will meet to consider if Adoption is in the child(ren’s) best interests.
The social worker should attend the medical with the child(ren), their present carer(s) and birth parent(s), where appropriate.
All reports obtained as part of the medical examination should be placed on the child’s file and shared with the Family Finder, who will use the information to assist with developing the child’s profile.
It is important to note that the Name Doctor for Adoption Medicals (NDAM) isn’t to take over the clinical assessment and management of the child. However, recommendation can be made with the course of a review Adoption Health assessment.
The Named Doctor for Adoption Medicals (NDAM) will complete the medical examination and will return the forms to the social worker, within two weeks of the assessment being undertaken.
The Adoption Medical report will be shared with any prospective adopter(s).
A child’s Adoption Medical should be updated at least every 12 months. However, a review can be requested sooner, if there are significant health changes with regards to the child.
The social worker must ensure that when presenting a match to the Adoption Panel that the Adoption Medical is at least 3 months in date.
Last Updated: May 12, 2025
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