Deciding to foster or adopt is a big decision no matter when you make it.

If you’re here, you’re considering if now’s the right time for you to foster or adopt.

Becoming a parent or carer to an adopted or fostered child is a fulfilling experience. Not only do you get to meet a wonderful new person, you get to help them grow and develop. You can teach them to bake, ride a bike and reach their full potential.

There’s been big changes over the years for prospective foster carers and adopters. The biggest recently is the coronavirus pandemic.

During the pandemic, The Guardian reported a shortfall of 25,000 foster carers in 2021. One fifth of foster carers exit the system every year, leaving agencies scrambling for replacements. Projected numbers say there’ll be a significant deficit of carers by 2026.

Lockdown also compromised child protection. Less interaction with different people lead to the breaking down of safeguarding. Children in the UK referred to fostering services increased by 37 per cent during that time. There’s a shortage of foster carers and increasingly difficult circumstances for looked-after children.

Agencies – across the UK – always seek families who want to start the approval process. The need for more adoption and fostering applicants usually outnumbers the number of people who apply and receive approval. This means there’s always children who need carers. Our member agencies want LGBT+ people to come forward. They recognise the resilience and strength that LGBT+ people bring to caring and parenting.

At New Family Social, we support a diverse range of people with all sorts of orientations and identities. We’re here to support you through the entirety of your adoption or fostering journey.

During the pandemic, most agencies held online-only training. At the time of writing, applicants experience a combination of face-to-face and virtual events, depending on the agency they select.

New Family Social offers face-to-face and virtual events across the UK. From chatty coffee mornings to informative intro webinars.

Contact us if you identify as LGBT+ and:

• You’re still deciding whether fostering or adoption is right for you
• You’ve questions about the assessment process
• You need any support if you’ve fostered or adopted children

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