Leicestershire County Council urges LGBT+ people in the county to explore adoption and fostering

Leicestershire County Council is supporting LGBT+ Adoption and Fostering Week by urging LGBT+ people in the county to explore parenting routes.

The annual campaign led by New Family Social focuses this year on the theme ‘build your family’.

It highlights LGBT+ parented adoptive and foster families to help interested people hear first-hand from those who have completed the adoption and fostering process.

Almost 700 children are now in care in Leicestershire.

And foster carers and adopters have continued to be approved during the pandemic through virtual meetings.

Cllr Deborah Taylor, the authority’s cabinet member for children and families, said: “People count themselves out of fostering or adoption for many reasons.

“However, our children in care need families from all communities, regardless of sexual orientation and our cohort of foster carers and adopters reflects this.

“If you are LGBT+ and could offer a loving home to a Leicestershire child who really needs it, we would welcome your application.

“Give our team a call this week for more information.”

Tor Docherty, New Family Social Chief Executive, said: ‘Record numbers of LGBT+ people now adopt or foster.

“The urgent need for more to do so hasn’t disappeared in the pandemic.

“The assessment process can still take place, despite lockdown and restrictions.

“If you’re LGBT+, it’s as good a time as any to find out how you can build your family through adoption or fostering.”

Since the campaign started in 2012, the number of same-sex couples adopting reached one in six in England in 2020, a record in both its proportion and total figure.

To find out more about fostering or adoption with Leicestershire County Council, visit: www.fosteringleicestershire.com or www.adoptionleicestershire.com or call 0116 305 0505.