Fostering and adoption are open to people from all backgrounds, regardless of gender, sexuality, life experience or family structure. Whether you are a single parent, a same‑sex couple, or part of a blended family, you can provide the secure, nurturing environment that helps change a child’s life for the better.

This year’s LGBT+ Adoption and Fostering Week, led by the charity New Family Social, adopts the theme ‘Now’s The Time’. The campaign aims to challenge the misconception that LGBTQ+ people must wait for the ‘perfect moment’ before beginning their adoption or fostering journey. Instead, it highlights that there is no ideal time, and encourages prospective adopters and foster carers to come forward when they feel ready.

Foster for East Midlands Councils with Adoption East Midlands, is proud to welcome LGBT+ individuals and couples who are interested in becoming foster carers or adopters.

Foster carers and adopters encourage more people to learn about special and rewarding experience.

Dean, who is a foster carer, shared their experience:

As a single dad and proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, I want people to know that there are no limitations to fostering based on sexuality or gender, what truly matters is your ability to meet the needs of a child and provide the support and care they need. If you’re thinking about fostering, don’t let your identity hold you back, you absolutely can make a life changing difference.

Bex and Holly, who adopted three children, shared their experience:

We adopted 3 boys, eleven years ago, one of the best days of our lives. Our journey has been full of laughter, joy and being called to see the boys’ headteachers…a lot! 

There are many ups and a few downs, but one thing we wished we used earlier was the Adoption Support team, and it has been great to see the support Adoption East Midlands is now providing through their Peers4Peers programme, which involves adopters supporting adopters.

There is never a right time, and in some ways, we wish we had adopted earlier, but then we wouldn’t have had our wonderful sons so maybe the time was right.

Katie Jones, Team Manager for Foster for East Midlands Councils and Shelagh Mitchell, Head of Service for Adoption East Midlands, collectively said:

We are always looking for people to adopt or foster children across the East Midlands. This makes a huge difference as it provides a loving, caring family and a place that they can call home.

Every day we are seeing children of all ages, through no fault of their own, finding themselves in a situation nobody should have to be in. People tell us that there is never a ‘perfect time.’

Working in partnership with Foster for East Midlands Councils, we welcome foster carers and adopters from all identities and backgrounds and want to encourage people to get in touch to find out more.

I urge people thinking about adoption or fostering to come along to one of the information events and meet our friendly and helpful teams as well as those sharing their experiences of fostering or adopting young people. Alternatively, you can find lots of useful information on our dedicated website, who knows where your curiosity could take you?”

Working in partnership with Foster for East Midlands Councils, we welcome foster carers and adopters from all identities and backgrounds and want to encourage people to get in touch to find out more.

Adoption East Midlands and Foster for East Midlands are holding a joint information event, for anyone interested in either adoption or fostering can drop-in on Saturday 7 March, at The Pride Shop, Nottingham NG1 6AJ, between 1pm and 3pm.

For more upcoming adoption information events, visit www.adoptioneastmidlands.org.uk/events

For more upcoming fostering information events, visit www.fosterforeastmidlands.org.uk/events.

To find out more about adoption, contact Adoption East Midlands. Call 0115 804 4567 or visit the website at adoptioneastmidlands.org.uk to learn more.

To take the first steps towards fostering, contact Foster for East Midlands Councils. Call 03033 132 950 or visit the website at fosterforeastmidlands.org.uk to learn more.