A NATIONAL campaign is calling for people from the LGBTQ+ community to consider becoming foster carers or adoptive parents.
More children than ever require fostering or adoption in Leicester, and LGBTQ+ Adoption & Fostering Week, which launches today (3 March), celebrates the contribution of the LGBTQ+ community whilst also highlighting the possibilities for future foster carers or adopters.
Led by LGBTQ+ adoption and fostering peer support charity New Family Social and supported locally by Leicester City Council and Family Adoption Links Leicester, this year’s campaign aims to encourage more members of the LGBTQ+ community to consider fostering or adoption.
Despite members of the LGBTQ+ community already accounting for a high percentage of adopters and foster carers, there is still an urgent need for more people to come forward for both adoption and fostering in the city.
Family Adoption Links Leicester currently has 16 children awaiting adoption, and with over 600 children and young people in the care of Leicester City Council, the need to recruit foster carer households for some of the most vulnerable children in Leicester is vital.
One-year-old Archie is just one child in foster care awaiting an adoptive family. His social worker said: “Archie has the biggest smile and such a cheeky face, he is described as a dream to look after, a happy and bright baby who is very laid back.”
Many other children in Leicester are seeking short-term or long-term foster homes or adoptive families.
If you are hoping to grow your family through adoption or fostering, the city council holds regular information events where you can find out more. The next fostering event takes place tomorrow, 4 March, from 6pm-8pm. For more information and to book, please visit Leicester City Council Fostering | Eventbrite.
For adoption, there is an information event on Wednesday 5 March at 6.30pm. For more information, please visit www.familyadoptionlinks.org.uk.