It’s LGBTQ+ Adoption and Fostering Week and Barnsley Council are asking people to consider if they could grow their families by ‘1, 2, 3 or more?’ through fostering or adoption.
One Adoption South Yorkshire and Barnsley Council’s fostering team are supporting this year’s awareness week which runs until Sunday.
The council says that many children’s lives could be transformed by an LGBTQ+ foster carer or adoptive parent. In Barnsley.
There are currently eight LGBTQ+ foster carers in Barnsley, and one in six people approved to adopt by One Adoption South Yorkshire are LGBTQ+.
However, many people still think they wouldn’t be allowed to adopt or foster because of their sexuality.
Councillor Trevor Cave, Cabinet spokesperson for Barnsley Council’s Children’s Services, said: “We want to remind people who are thinking about growing their families that they should not rule themselves out of fostering or adoption because of their sexuality.
“There are many excellent foster carers and adoptive parents in the LGBTQ+ community across Barnsley and South Yorkshire, and we’re pleased to be celebrating them this week. With increasing numbers of children needing a loving home, especially older children and siblings, it’s more important than ever to encourage LGBTQ+ families to consider this route.
“Anyone can be a great foster carer or adoptive parent - it’s your personal qualities that make you a great caregiver, not your gender, relationship status or sexual orientation. So, if you think you can offer a safe and caring home to a child, we would love to hear from you.”
Stephanie Evans, Head of One Adoption South Yorkshire, added: “All people who adopt are unique and valued. We welcome applications from people of any sexuality, race or religion you don’t have to be married or have a partner either, we have lots of excellent single adopters. What matters is that you can offer a safe, permanent, and caring home to a child who may have faced a challenging start in life.
