LGBTQ+ Adoption & Fostering Week returns from 4 March, 2024. The campaign is unique in the UK in speaking solely to the LGBTQ+ community. It brings together adoption and fostering agencies that want to talk to LGBTQ + potential applicants, with people in our community interested in either parenting or caring route. The 2024 campaign will focus on encouraging more LGBTQ+ people - particularly those from the global majority - to consider adopting or fostering children from minoritised ethnic groups.
Busting myths around LGBTQ Fostering.
“I'm Gay/Bisexual, I can't foster."
False – you can foster regardless of your sexual preferences. Your sexual preferences will not affect your eligibility to foster in any way.
“My same sex relationship is stopping me from fostering.”
False – at Parallel Parents, we already have many foster parents who are in same sex relationships and marriages. We encourage and welcome same sex families.
“I can’t foster if I’m transgender.”
False – your gender will not be a determining factor in your fostering application.
“I’m gay but recently divorced, it’s not possible for me to foster.”
False – your sexual orientation will not affect your application at all. We welcome all of the LGBTQIA+ Community. Please be aware though that during the application process, there will be a full account taken of your life. Divorce can affect your financial and emotional stability, and these factors are important to consider before you decide if fostering is right for you.
As a LGBTQ person what do I need to become a foster carer?
All potential foster parents, irrelevant of sexual preferences, must meet these initial requirements for fostering to continue with their application.
Must have a spare bedroom.
Must be over 21 Years old
Must have a good support network, such as friends and family to help support you through your journey.
Must be a full time resident in the UK
LGBTQ+ Fostering
If you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or living in a same sex couple, and have ever wondered “can I foster?”, the answer is 100% “Yes”.
Get in touch with us today to find out more about fostering and how you can become a foster carer.
Call 0800 023 4450
Or find us on Social Media and send us a message!
Tips from other LGBTQ+ Foster Carers
From the Fostering Network
• Don’t be surprised if you encounter a certain amount of prejudice or discrimination. the spectrum of attitudes and behaviour – some of which are negative and discriminatory towards LGBT people. This does not mean you should accept or ignore it. Your fostering agency has a duty to protect you from discrimination, and they can only do this if they are aware of any issues you are facing.
• Be confident. The New Family Social’s 2011 survey showed 76 per cent of social workers thought LGBT foster carers’ openness to difference was a significant strength.
• Any childhood experiences of feeling different, not belonging or being rejected because of part of your identity can help you empathise with looked after children, and make it easier for them to believe you when you encourage them to be confident and resilient.
• Some local authorities and agencies are actively seeking to recruit LGBT foster carers, but some have less positive attitudes. Look around for the right local authority or agency for you.
• Training programmes and literature can make assumptions about the sexuality or gender identity of foster carers. It is helpful for everyone if you make the organisation aware of this whenever you encounter it.
• Other children may ask the child you foster questions that the child may find difficult to answer, may speak negatively about LGBT parents, or use homophobic language. You can help the child you foster by making sure they have appropriate ways to respond.
• Be willing to answer questions and discuss any concerns about the placement expressed by the child’s family. Many questions and concerns can be resolved with good communication. This does not mean you should put up with inappropriate questions or discriminatory attitudes