New Family Social’s LGBTQ+ Adoption and Fostering Week returns from Monday, March 4, to encourage more LGBTQ+ people to consider exploring these routes to parenting.

In England in 2023 there were 83,840 looked-after children. 1 in 5 adoptions in England in 2023 were to same-gender couples.

This LGBTQ+ Adoption and Fostering Week, Herefordshire Council wants to hear from any LGBTQ+ people interested in either route to forming their family.

Darryl Freeman, Director for Children and Young People, said: “Herefordshire Council encourages members of the LGBTQ+ community to consider fostering and adoption. We aim to recruit a group of carers who reflect the diversity of our society, and who can meet the needs of our children. 

Tor Docherty, New Family Social Chief Executive said: ‘LGBTQ+ potential applicants should count themselves in as potential adopters or foster carers, not rule themselves out. In an ideal world every looked-after child would find a placement with a family that shared their culture and heritage. Where this can’t happen, agencies must work hard to help LGBTQ+ applicants to understand how to meet their child’s culture and heritage needs.’

For more information about fostering in Herefordshire, visit https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/fostering-1/foster-carer/9,  complete our online Fostering enquiry form, call 01432 383240, or email [email protected].

You can follow LGBTQ+ Adoption & Fostering Week online and through Instagram (@newfamilysocial) and Facebook (@newfamilysocial)