Adoption@Heart asks LGBT+ community, #WhyNotYou?

Members of the LGBT+ community are being encouraged to consider adoption this LGBT+ Adoption and Fostering Week.

Adoption@Heart, the Regional Adoption Agency for the Black Country, is backing the national campaign, which runs from 2– 8 March 2020 and asks people the question, #WhyNotYou?

Latest statistics show that in 2019, the number of adoptions in England to LGBT+ individuals and couples rose to 490, one in seven of all adoptions, up from one in 20 adoptions in 2012.

New Family Social founded Adoption and Fostering Week and provides support to people from the LGBT+ community going through the adoption and fostering process. It works directly with its members and agencies to find families for children in care.

Mark Tobin, Service Head of Adoption@Heart said: “Adopters come from all walks of life and all applications are welcome and will be treated equally.

“We are proud to be a member of New Family Social and to continue supporting the work it does, particularly around LGBT+ Adoption and Fostering Week.

“Adoption@Heart will always encourage enquiries from the LGBT+ community - if you're interested in finding out more or feel ready to start your adoption journey, call us today.”

Anyone can adopt, whether they are single, living together, married, a same sex couple, in employment or not working, or already have children or not. Potential adopters must legally be a UK resident and have been so for at least 12 months, as well as being aged 21 or over. They should have a spare bedroom and be able to provide a stable home for a child until adulthood and beyond.

The Adoption and Children Act 2002 gave unmarried couples, including same sex couples, the right to adopt. It became law in December 2005. LGBT+ couples don’t need to be in a civil partnership or married to adopt and single adopters are also welcome, whatever their gender or sexual orientation.

Adoption@Heart holds information and advice sessions every two weeks across the region, providing the perfect opportunity for prospective adopters to find out more and have their questions answered.

For more information, please visit www.adoptionatheart.org.uk, call 01902 55 3818 or email info@adoptionatheart.org.uk

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