New Family Social is the only organisation working for LGBT adopters, foster carers and their children throughout the UK.
In 2007, two years after the law changed to allow same-sex couples to adopt jointly, LGBT adoptive parents realised that little was being done to provide the specific support they needed, or to encourage new adopters and carers to come forward. NFS was formed out of this need and continues to be run by LGBT adopters, working in many important areas.
New Family Social promotes the care and upbringing of children by LGBT adopters and foster carers by allowing these families to socialise and share support in a safe environment. It helps to create a wide pool of adopters and foster carers by raising awareness and encouraging and supporting prospective adopters and carers, and by promoting their utilisation and fair treatment. It also works to advance public awareness and acceptance of these families in the interest of the growing number of children being cared for by them.
Individual membership of New Family Social is open to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender adopters, foster carers, and prospective adopters and foster carers. Find out more here, and apply to join
In recognition of the importance of peer-support, many adoption and fostering agencies provide this membership for all of their LGBT adopters and foster carers with an agency subscription to NFS. We strive to work closely with agencies throughout the UK in order to help with service delivery and promote equality of service. Free listings of children’s profiles are offered, providing a valuable additional way to find parents for children.
New Family Social is a charity registered in England and Wales. A small staff ensure the efficient operation and development of the charity, while a team of volunteers around the UK coordinate the social events, act as local support contacts, and make possible many other aspects of our work.
Our members
Our members bring a diversity of experiences and perspectives to the group. Almost half have been placed with children, and the remainder are either in the approval or matching process, or are considering adoption or fostering. Our youngest members are in their early twenties and the oldest in their sixties. There are slightly more male than female members, whilst a small number identify as transgender. Some live in urban areas, others in smaller towns or rural areas; some live on low incomes whilst others are higher earning professionals. Some adopt or foster on their own and others as a couple. Our membership reflects a wide range of nationalities, ethnicities and cultural and religious backgrounds. For some their sexuality or gender is only a small aspect of their identity whilst others are politically active in this field. Most identify as gay or lesbian and some identify as bisexual or queer, whilst for others the latter term may be contentious. Some adopt or foster younger children whilst many adopt or foster ‘older’ children.
In short, our members have very diverse backgrounds, needs and views and New Family Social seeks to address all their needs in broad ranging ways. As such, New Family Social does not claim or seek to be the voice for all LGBT adopters and foster carers. Rather, we aspire to reflect a diversity of voices in our work with agencies, social workers, the media and other organisations.
