Down’s syndrome affects thousands of families up and down the UK every day. It’s a genetic condition that babies are born with, and typically causes physical characteristics and some level of learning disability. With the right care, support and healthcare provision, children and young people with the condition can live happy and fulfilling lives. For foster carers taking care of a child with Down’s syndrome, the prospect can seem quite daunting, with some children having specialist and complex needs. The more you learn about Down’s syndrome, the better placed you’ll be to offer the right kind of help and support to children in your care. Most people are familiar with the physical symptoms of Down’s, such as the distinctive facial characteristics, but it can affect a child’s learning and development, too. All children with Down’s have some level of learning disability which can delay their development, though the effects do differ broadly from child to child. Very young children with Down’s syndrome may reach milestones like standing, walking and talking much later than other children, and may need extra help and support to develop these kinds of abilities.