This week is LGBTQ+ Adoption and Fostering Week, led by the charity New Family Social. The message this year is simple, “Now’s the time.”
Not because life is ever perfectly lined up. Not because everything suddenly feels certain. But because children are waiting, and families are still needed.
Here at Hull Fostering, we are proud to stand alongside our regional adoption agency, One Adoption North and Humber.
We focus on fostering. They focus on adoption. Together, we are part of the same commitment, making sure every child who cannot live with their birth family has the chance to grow up safe, loved and supported.
Some children need short-term care.
Some need longer-term fostering.
And some need adoption, a permanent, lifelong family.
That is why we support this week and why we will always champion inclusive routes to building families.
The reality in our region
Across North Yorkshire, York, Hull, East Riding and North East Lincolnshire -
- More than 50 children are currently waiting for safe, permanent families
- Nearly half are waiting with a brother or sister
- 1 in 5 adopters identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community
LGBTQ+ people are not only welcomed, but they are also needed.
Sexual orientation or gender identity is never a barrier to adoption. What matters is your ability to offer stability, patience, empathy and long-term commitment.
Let’s gently challenge a few myths
You do not need to be married.
You do not need to own your home.
You do not need to be wealthy.
You do not need to be perfect.
You do need resilience.
You do need the capacity to stick with a child when things feel hard.
You do need to understand that children who have experienced loss and trauma need time, consistency and therapeutic parenting.
Many adopters are in their 40s and 50s. You simply need to be over 21.
Children waiting for adoption are not all babies. Many are older, part of sibling groups or have additional needs. Every one of them deserves someone who believes in their future.
Want to find out more?
One Adoption North and Humber are hosting three information events in March:
- Online Adoption Q&A, 4 March, 12pm to 1pm
- In person information event in Settle, 12 March, 5.30pm
- Online information event, 18 March, 6pm
These sessions are informal. There is no pressure to commit. You can simply listen and ask questions.
You can also explore their podcasts, including episodes featuring LGBTQ+ adopters sharing their lived experience:
A final thought
In England, there are over 80,000 children who are looked after. Some of them will need adoption. Some of them are closer to home than you might realise.
If you are part of the LGBTQ+ community and you have ever wondered whether adoption could be for you, this week is simply an invitation to explore.
And if fostering feels more aligned with you, we are always here to talk about that, too.
At the heart of all of this, whether fostering or adoption, is one thing: children who need safe, loving families to help them thrive.