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Press release: LGBTQ+ people from minoritised ethnic groups called to adopt and foster in the UK

Foster with North East are proud supporters of New Family Social's LGBTQ+ Adoption and Fostering Week 2024 - read their latest press release here.

Male couple with child

New Family social media release

LGBTQ+ people in the UK from minorised ethnic groups are being called on to consider adopting or fostering this March. Social workers can struggle to find appropriate adoption and fostering placements for looked-after children from the global majority.

Too few approved adopters and foster carers share the same culture and heritage as these vulnerable children. LGBTQ+ Adoption and Fostering Week returns - 4th-10th March - to encourage more LGBTQ+ people to consider exploring these routes to parenting.

In England in 2023 there were 83,840 looked-after children. Three in 10 of these children - 29 per cent - were from minorised ethnic groups. While 1 in 5 adoptions in England in 2023 were to same-gender couples, the need for more adoption and fostering applicants is both great and urgent.

This LGBTQ+ Adoption and Fostering Week, agencies across the UK want to hear from any LGBTQ+ people interested in either route to forming their family. Throughout the week a number of events will take place. These include an information webinar featuring LGBTQ+ people from minorised ethnic groups who've adopted or fostered. There's also free training for applicants and professionals on how to prepare LGBTQ+ people for transracial adoption or fostering.

Tor Docherty, New Family Social Chief Executive said:

 "LGBTQ+ potential applicants from minorised- ethnic groups should count themselves in as potential adopters or foster carers, not rule themselves out. In an ideal world every looked-after child would find a placement with a family that shared their culture and heritage. Where this can't happen, agencies must work hard to help LGBTQ+ applicants to understand how to meet their child's culture and heritage needs."

LGBTQ+ Adoption and Fostering Week is led by New Family Social - the UK's peer-support charity for LGBTQ+ adopters, foster carers and special guardians. The campaign - unique in the country - brings together LGBTQ+ potential applicants with adoption and fostering agencies. When it started in 2012, adoptions in England by same-gender couples stood at 1 in 31. In 2023, the proportion-on was 1 in 5. The campaign this March is supported by some 120 adoption and fostering agencies from across the UK including Foster with North East and its 12 local authority partners.

You can follow LGBTQ+ Adoption & Fostering Week online and through Instagram (@newfamilysocial) and Facebook (@newfamilysocial)

 

Could you share your home to shape their future?

Foster with North East are proud supporters of New Family Social's LGBTQ+ Adoption and Fostering Week. Too many LGBTQ+ people still count themselves out as potential fostering applicants; wrongfully believing they won't be eligible. In reality, we need carers from all backgrounds and with all experiences to care for children and young people who are just as unique as them. Our partners support LGBTQ+ foster carers throughout the North East to provide safe and loving homes to children and young people across the North East every single day and are here to help others do the same.

You can explore how you can make fostering work for you with the help of the Foster with North East hub support team by calling 0800 917 7771 or you can enquire now. Alternatively why not join one of our online dedicated LGBTQ+ sessions on Thursday 21st March which can be booked through our events page.

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