LGBTQ+ Adoption and Fostering Week 2024

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LGBTQ+ Adoption and Fostering Week 2024 returns on Monday 4 March to Sunday 10 March 2024.

While we want to celebrate our adopters every week of the year, this week we are giving particular attention to celebrating members of the LGBTQ+ community who are thinking about fostering or adoption.

This year’s theme, ‘Different Together’, calls on more LGBTQ+ people from ethnically diverse backgrounds to consider adoption and fostering, while also encouraging more LGBTQ+ people to consider both routes to forming their families. Looked after children from ethnically diverse backgrounds can wait the longest for suitable adoption and fostering placements.

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 children. So, the need for more adoption and fostering applicants is both great and urgent.

For members of the LGBTQ+ community thinking about adopting or fostering, the question absolutely shouldn’t be “Will my sexual orientation or gender identity count against me?” 

We need more adopters and foster carers from all backgrounds, regardless of their sexuality, gender, relationship, race, ethnicity or religion. 

Top facts! In England, in 2023…

I have questions about adoption, where can I find out more?

On the Adopt South West website, we’ve answered some questions from LGBTQ+ people about adoption.

Use our ‘Ready to adopt?’ checker to learn more about who can adopt and when the time might be right for you.

Did you know LGBTQ+ adoptive parents represent the second largest group of all adopters in England? In 2023, one in five adoptions were to same-gender couples.

Matthew and his husband adopted a little boy

They met other adopters who helped with their anxieties. They found the matching process the hardest.

“We put ourselves forward for a few children but then we trusted our social worker and he found us our little boy.”

Here, Devon adopter, Matthew, shares their adoption journey.

Amanda White, Interim Head of Adopt South West, said:

“We welcome LGBTQ+ adopters in the South West. Our experience tells us that children thrive in LGBTQ+ families and at Adopt South West we have some great LGBTQ+ parents, and with great parents come great families for our children. 

“There are children all across our region looking for loving homes and many are primary school age children, brothers and sisters and children with disabilities and additional health needs. No matter their background, all they need is their loving family to change their life. 

“We want children who haven’t had an equal start in life to have an equal chance in life. Love, time and commitment to a child are three of the most important attributes you can have to adopt a child. 

“If you’ve been thinking about adopting, on your own, or with your partner, then we’d love to hear from you and look forward to welcoming more people into our Adopt South West family.” 

Further information

Throughout the week, members of the LGBTQ+ community from the global majority who’ve adopted or fostered are sharing their stories and personal clips about their journeys to parenting and caring.

Adopt South West

If you are considering adopting, please do contact our friendly Adopt South West team and you can find out more

New Family Social

Each day New Family Social, Adopt South West and Fostering teams in your local area will be sharing information, stories from LGBTQ+ adopters and posts on social media.

Members of the LGBTQ+ community can also find out more about their fostering and adoption options through the New Family Social website.