County Council emphasises inclusion to mark LGBT+ Adoption & Fostering Week
Buckinghamshire County Council is taking the opportunity of LGBT+ Adoption & Fostering Week (4-10 March) toask lesbian, gay, bi and trans residents in the county whether they have considered adoption or fostering.
Bucks’ adoption and fostering services have a good record for working with LGBT+ people so that children in the council’s care can benefit from being part of a family, but there’s still belief among some LGBT+ people that adoption and foster care agencies will discriminate against them because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
That’s why LGBT+ Adoption & Fostering Weekis an ideal time for the County Council to emphasise that anyone who is LGBT+, whether single or in a long-term relationship, is most welcome to apply to become an adoptive parent or foster carer.
Warren Whyte, Buckinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “Last year, 1 in 8 adoptions in England were to same-sex couples, which indicates the growing diversity that exists in adoption and fostering. The Council is firmly committed to making the application process fully inclusive, and we will not discriminate on the basis of ethnic origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age or disability. Our foster carers and adoptive parents have such a positive influence on our children and young people, and we welcome any applicant who is dedicated to improving the life of a local vulnerable child. If you are considering adopting or fostering, please contact us to find out more about the process and the support we offer.”
As well as helping you through the process of becoming an adoptive parent or foster carer, our teams are also on hand to support you in the longer term. To find out more, visit the County Council website, where you can find contact details for the teams and get dates for upcoming information sessions. By coming along to an information session, you can meet the team, hear the experiences of adoptive parents or foster carers and ask any questions you might have: