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0300 123 1066
Last year nearly 25% of our newly approved adopters identified as LGBTQ+. We welcome enquiries from all communities and work hard at raising awareness within the LGBTQ+ community.
In 2023, we proudly marched at the Leeds Pride (right) and Chester and Durham Pride (below). #proudtoadopt
Our latest Ofsted Inspection report highlighted our inclusivity, we strive to ensure equality of opportunity, both for our adoptive families and amongst our staff and trustees, regardless of gender, race, religion, culture, heritage, age, disability or sexuality.
Ofsted Outstanding since 2008, Adoption Matters are the ONLY adoption service in the UK to achieve 5 Outstanding ratings in a row.
Following public nominations and a judging panel held in September 2021, Adoption Matters received commended agency status for 2021 by New Family Social’s LGBTQ+ adopter and foster carer members. Some 130 nominations and testimonials for agencies and social workers were received from LGBTQ+ people at different stages of the adoption process.
New Family Social’s nominating members said:
“[Adoption Matters is] so child centred, very supportive and really, really had our back through complications”.
“They provide [Adoption Matters] life[long] adoption support [to us]”.
Sexuality isn't an important factor when it comes to adoption. What IS important is the commitment, resilience, stability & love that children who have suffered early childhood trauma, ALL need. We welcome and encourage enquiries from the LGBTQ+ community.
The latest statistics from the Department of Education show that 1 in 6 adoptions were by same-sex couples. Just over 10 years ago, this statistic was 1 in 31.
Currently the Department only record limited data on LGBTQ+ adoptions this is because recording is still relatively recent. This new data excludes bisexual people, Trans people not in a same sex relationship and single LGBT adopters. Therefore, the real number of LGBTQ+ adopters will be considerably higher.
With 1,900 children currently waiting for adoption of which over half part of a sibling group there is a huge need for more adopters. The 2023 LGBTQ+ Adoption and Fostering Week theme this year, 1, 2, 3 or more, is looking to encourage people from the LGBTQ+ community to consider adopting brothers and sisters, to enable them to grow up together.
Adoption Matters Chief Executive, Susy White, says: “We know from experience that LGBTQ+ people often come to adoption with an open mind and real enthusiasm – it’s often their first choice to build their family.
“You can be single, over 50 and you don’t need to own your own home to consider adoption. Sexuality isn’t an important factor in our assessment of prospective adopters, what we need is people who can offer stability, love and resilience who can who can help a child with whatever needs they may have. We offer ongoing support and training to all our families for as long as they need it.”
We welcome enquiries from the LGBTQ+ community this week and every week!
Adoption Matters’ couple, Michael and Les and single adopter Charlie* have shared their stories in the hope of encouraging other couples to think about adoption.
Charlie* comments: “Just over fifty years ago, I would have been arrested in the UK for promoting the fact I was a gay male. Back then, it was inconceivable to think that gay people had the right to love, cohabit or even publicly show affection to anyone of the same sex. Can you even begin to imagine the consequences of same sex couples or single gay people being given the right to care for or adopt children who needed the two fundamental needs of all human being: to be loved, and cared for? It was a reality far from anyone’s mind at that time.
Fast forward to present day and it is evident to see the opportunities open to the LGBTQ+ community when it comes to practising the desire of most human beings on this planet, to be a carer or potential parent to a child who needs stability and love”. *name changed to protect identity Hear Charlie’s full story of Adopting with Concurrent Planning below.
Data Sources:
1 Department for Education: Children looked after in England including adoptions: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoptions/2020
2 Adoption & Special Guardianship Leadership Board Q2 Data: https://coram-i.org.uk/asglb/data/