Couple encourage members of the LGBTQ+ community to consider fostering

Dianne and Bev, who are currently fostering twin girls, feel they've had excellent support from the council and the Fostering Network, the UK’s leading fostering charity.

They are sharing their experience during the 12^th annual LGBT+ Adoption and Fostering Week, which is running now until Sunday, 10 March.

The campaign encourages more lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender+ people to consider adoption and fostering and celebrates the achievements of those who have done so.

It is run by New Family Social, the UK’s peer-support charity for LGBTQ+ adopters, foster carers and special guardians; and supported locally by Lancashire County Council and Adoption Lancashire and Blackpool.

When it started in 2012, adoptions in England by same-gender couples stood at one in 31. By 2023, this was one in five.

‘Different Together’ is the theme for 2024. It calls on more LGBTQ+ people from the global majority to consider fostering and adoption. Looked-after children from minoritised ethnic groups can wait the longest for suitable foster homes and adoptive families. 

Dianne said: "We have been fostering for 11 years and have cared for a range of children all from different backgrounds, who have had their own unique personalities and needs.

"We currently foster twin girls and fostering is the best thing we have ever done.

"The levels of support that we get from the council are excellent.

"I'd really encourage other members of the LGBTQ+ community to reach out to the council if you are thinking of fostering. We are so glad that we did and it was made very clear to us that someone's sexuality was no barrier to becoming great foster parents."

County Councillor Cosima Towneley, Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for Children and Families said: "This is an important week and statistics show many more LGBT people are coming forward with the intention of fostering.

"The most important factor here is the ability to offer a stable, loving home to the children in our care, when they need it most. 

"There are many ways to get in to fostering and our model is constantly adapting to take account of changes in work / life balance.  It is always worth making that initial telephone call and starting a dialogue."

Councillor Jim Hobson, Blackpool Council's cabinet member for Children’s Social Care, said: "We encourage anyone who is thinking of fostering or adopting to come forward and talk to our friendly team.

"We especially encourage members of the LGBT community to come forward and are keen to highlight LGBTQ+ Adoption and Fostering Week.

"Fostering and adoption are vital and putting children first is at the heart of what we do."

Find out more about fostering at lancashire.gov.uk/fostering or call our friendly team for a chat on 0300 123 6723 or find out more about adoption at www.adoptionlancashireblackpool.org.uk