Today we’ll focus on those LGBT+ people who adopt or foster children in sibling groups. If you’re LGBT+ and considering adopting siblings you’re not alone. New analysis by Link Maker found that 47 per cent of same-sex couples awaiting a match were open to adopting siblings.

• Should I adopt my child's siblings? [podcast episode]
• Do we adopt a sibling group? [podcast episode]
• Daddy you're everything I could ask for [podcast episode]
• Recovering from post adoption depression [podcast episode]
• Stuart & Simon: We've just adopted siblings [podcast episode]

If you're one of our members you can also read our report Strength in Numbers, which polled LGBT+ people on sibling adoption.

For the second day of LGBT+ Adoption & Fostering Week we’re showcasing stories from people who adopted or currently foster older children. In every nation in the UK more than 6 in 10 looked-after children are aged 5 years or more. In England, some 6 in 6 in 10 children - 63 per cent - who started to be looked after in 2021, were aged 5 and over. Similarly, in Scotland in 2020, 6 in 10 children – 61 per cent – who started to be looked-after were aged 5 and over.

In Wales in 2021 some 8 in 10 – 77 per cent – of looked-after children were aged 5 or over. In Northern Ireland in 2021 some 8 in 10 – 77 per cent – looked-after children were aged 5 or over.

• Fostering a teenager as a single gay man [podcast episode]
• Adopting older children [podcast episode]
• Fostering older children is the best thing I've done [podcast episode]

For the third day of the campaign we're sharing stories from LGBT+ people who've adopted children with life-changing or life-limiting conditions.

• Adopting a child with a serious medical condition [podcast episode]
• Adopting a child with cancer [podcast episode]

For the fourth day of LGBT+ Adoption & Fostering Week we’re showcasing stories of children, adopters and foster carers who experience mental health, neurodivergence and trauma associated conditions. Our members can also log in to the site to access brand new research results.

• Adopting an older autistic boy has been a joy [podcast episode]
• Parenting traumatised siblings [podcast episode]
• The great behaviour breakdown [podcast episode]
• When problems feel personal [podcast episode]
• Adopting when you're autistic [podcast episode]
• Mental health, neurodivergence, trauma & our children: The experience of LGBT+ adopters in Britain (2022) [survey report, members' log in required] 

For the final day of the campaign sharing the stories of LGBT+ people already adopting or fostering, we’ll focus on those from a global majority background. We’ll also share the story of an LGBT+ adoptive parent who is also an adoptee – and whose adoptive parents don’t share their heritage.

• Foster carers from Muslim backgrounds [podcast episode]
• I'm a black, gay, single adopter [podcast episode]
• Three children talk about adoption [podcast episode]
• I was adopted by a white family [podcast episode]

Those agencies already signed up to support LGBT+ Adoption & Fostering Week 2022: 

Is your adoption or fostering agency is a member of New Family Social? Does it want to support LGBT+ Adoption & Fostering Week?

Drop us a line 

 You can watch this pre-recorded session, for introductory information on adopting or fostering if you're LGBTQ+:

Find an agency that fits

Once you're comfortable with the process the next stage is to identify the right agency for you. It may be one that you've attended an information session for already. It may be one that your friends or contacts used. At New Family Social we strongly recommend talking to a number of agencies - not every agency will be right for you. There are different strengths to all agencies, whether they are run by local authorities, the voluntary sector or the private sector.

Our agency finder can help you identify those that offer dedicated support to LGBT+ adopters and foster carers through their membership of New Family Social. To access the finder sign up for a free New Family Social Bronze membership. Then, once you've done that, log in and select 'My NFS' and then 'Friendly agencies'.

When you're exploring agencies it can be helpful to ask questions such as 'how many LGBT+ people are you currently assessing?', 'What experience does your team have in supporting LGBT+ people?' and so on. Agency staff should be able to answer these questions. 

Pursue the process

The assessment processes for adoption and fostering may be slightly delayed as a result of the current pandemic. The processes are robust, to make sure vulnerable children are placed with people who can provide them with the parenting and support they need. For LGBT+ people the process can feel intrusive. While coming out is an ongoing process for all LGBT+ people, the level and frequency of disclosures the process requires can seem invasive. For this reason it's key that you have a strong relationship with your assessing social worker, who usually acts as your advocate at the approval panels.

Find out more about the assessment process for adoption

Find out more about the assessment process for fostering