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News - from us & our agency friends


A word from...... James Lawrence, Head of Communications & Engagement

When New Family Social organised its first national campaign to encourage more people from our community to consider adoption or fostering, it was a direct response to the environment of the time. While same-gender couples could legally adopt, there was little knowledge or expertise in agencies on how to tap into the desire of LGBTQ+ people to explore these routes to building their family.

Since the first year, we've worked hard to bring together agencies from across the UK to do just that, by bringing them together with LGBTQ+ potential applicants. As an independent, peer-support charity LGBTQ+ people know and expect us to tell the truth about what their experience of adoption and fostering is likely to be - both as parents and carers and as applicants going through the assessment process. 

This credibility is hard-earned. As adoptive parents and foster carers we've seen the positive change brought by our choices to adopt or foster. We know - and tell our members - when the potential barriers are and how to navigate the flaws in the system. 

We're thrilled that in Wales all of the adoption collaboratives supported LGBTQ+ Adoption & Fostering Week 2024. In 2022, 1 in 4 adoptions in the country were to same-gender couples. In England - bar a couple of exceptions - all regional adoption agencies and voluntary agencies took part too. In 2023, 1 in 5 adoptions in England were to same-gender couples. In Northern Ireland it stood at 1 in 8.

In Scotland it's a different story. There's little participation by local authorities in the campaign. With just 1 in 12 adoptions in 2022 in Scotland being to same-gender couples, it's the poorest representation of LGBTQ+ people in adoption in the UK. And that was a fall in the proportion from the previous year of 1 in 11.

It's unsurprising - and hugely heartening -  that the voluntary agencies in Scotland that do take part in the campaign report that up to 50 per cent of the applicants they assess are LGBTQ+. Where our community finds a service that wants to welcome them they'll head to it in numbers. We're truly grateful for all the work those agencies do to encourage and support LGBTQ+ people - and to the hundreds of agencies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that similarly recognised the importance of engaging LGBTQ+ potential applicants and took part in the campaign.


LGBTQ+ Adoption & Fostering Week 2024 

Barnardo's South EastBarnardo's is a member of New Family Social


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1 in 5

adoptions in England in 2023 were to same-sex  couples

3 in 4

 New Family Social adopters consider adopting siblings

57,500+

The total number of children in foster care in England



Looking to provide better services to LGBTQ+ applicants? Look no further

Smiling Social Worker

Foster agencies from across the UK now work with us. Find out why.

Rainbow painted Road

Agencies increasingly turn to LGBTQ+ applicants. What are your options?

Girl on bench with question Mark - What is the support like in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

There's support from LGBTQ+ friendly agencies in every UK country. 




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Call us on: 0203 880 2683

Out-of-hours media enquiry : 07867 595 554


Address:

7 Bell Yard

London

WC2A 2JR


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