A campaign launching today (4 March) is encouraging LGBTQ+ people from minoritised ethnic groups to consider adopting children who wait the longest to be placed in loving adoptive families.
Led by the charity New Family Social, and supported by Coram, this year’s LGBTQ+ Adoption and Fostering Week is highlighting children from the global majority who are waiting to be adopted, and the need for more adopters to come forward who share the same culture and heritage as these children.
In England in 2023, there were 83,840 looked-after children. Three in 10 of these children – 29 per cent – were from minoritised ethnic groups. While 1 in 5 adoptions in England in 2023 were to same-gender couples, there is an urgent need for more applicants. This LGBTQ+ Adoption and Fostering Week, agencies across the UK want to hear from any LGBTQ+ people interested in adoption to form their family.
Coram, as host of Regional Adoption Agency Coram Ambitious for Adoption, has a partnership with local authorities across London and in Slough, and is one of over 100 adoption and fostering agencies supporting LGBTQ+ Adoption and Fostering Week 2024.
Coram, one of the early pioneers of LGBTQ+ adoption, welcomes enquiries from anyone in the LGBTQ+ community who is thinking about adoption, and encourages them to take their first step by making an enquiry or coming along to one of our free monthly online adoption information sessions. The next event takes place on 26 March.
Sue Lowndes, Managing Director of Coram Ambitious for Adoption, said: “We’re proud to have supported many LGBTQ+ single people and couples over the years to adopt and hope this week’s campaign will inspire others from the community to consider adoption.
“We warmly welcome enquiries from people across London and surrounding areas who can provide safe and loving homes for a child or children. In particular, we encourage potential adopters from black and ethnic minority communities to come forward so we can focus on matching more children with families who can promote their ethnicity, culture and identity as they grow up. We’d urge anyone interested to come along to one of our information events where they can find out more, including how we support you throughout the adoption process and afterwards.”
James and Liam*, who adopted a little girl Charlotte* through Coram, said: “A large part of us choosing Coram was the clear support for LGBTQ+ adopters, their professionalism and the support network they have in place for people. Charlotte is an amazing little girl. She is so positive and approaches everything with joy and happiness. Everyone who spends time with Charlotte falls in love with her. Our lives have changed in every way, all for the better!”
LGBTQ+ Adoption and Fostering Week is led by New Family Social – the UK’s peer-support charity for LGBTQ+ adopters, foster carers and special guardians. The campaign – unique in the country – brings together LGBTQ+ potential applicants with adoption and fostering agencies. When it started in 2012, adoptions in England by same-gender couples stood at 1 in 31. In 2023, the proportion was 1 in 5. The campaign this March is supported by some 120 adoption and fostering agencies from across the UK.
*Names have been changed to protect anonymity