It’s LGBT Adoption & Fostering Week

Adoption Matters is appealing for more members of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community to consider becoming adoptive parents.

Adoption Matters is supporting LGBT Adoption and Fostering Week (2 – 8 March) and points out that if just 2% of the UK’s LGBT community became approved adopters, the number of children waiting for a new start with a new family could be significantly reduced.

Social workers and carers across the UK are celebrating the tenth anniversary since the change in the Adoption and Children Act, which granted LGBT couples and single adopters the same legal rights as straight adopters.

Since the law reform, the amount of children adopted by LGBT couples has tripled throughout England, Scotland and Wales, resulting in over 1,300 children finding new families in loving homes.

Adoption Matters is also a member of New Family Social – the UK charity working for LGBT adopters, foster carers and their children. This year’s LGBT Adoption & Fostering Week will highlight the need for more people to come forward and adopt, in particular siblings, who often wait the longest before finding a new family.

Norman Goodwin, Chief Executive of Adoption Matters said: “We know from experience that LGBT couples often apply for adoption with an open mind and real enthusiasm, as their first choice for forming a family.

“Many of the children we have placed have had a very traumatic start to life, and we have seen them thrive with their new LGBT parents.”

2014 adoption figures show that 6.7% of adoptions in England, 5.8% in Wales and 2.9% in Scotland were by LGBT couples.

If you want to find out more about adoption with the ONLY voluntary adoption agency in the North West to be rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in 2008, 2001 & 2014 and BAAF Voluntary Adoption Agency of the Year in 2012 & 2014, call us now on 0300 123 1066 or click the contact us button above.