As part of LGBT+ Adoption & Fostering Week, (1 - 7 March), Rotherham Council is urging the local LGBT+ community to consider fostering or adoption and make a difference to the lives of local children.
The annual campaign, which is organised by UK charity New Family Social, positively encourages people who identify as LGBT+ to foster or adopt. As a supporting member of New Family Social and ‘LGBT+ friendly’ recruiter, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council wants to raise awareness on how to become a foster carer while dispelling the misconception that LGBT+ people can’t foster or go on to adopt.
Dave and his husband Craig have been fostering with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council for almost three years.
When asked what advice he would give to other LGBT+ couples or single carers considering fostering, Dave said; “There are children and young people that need loving homes, and it just takes a human being to make a family. Love has no barriers; it transcends above any hurdles. Love creates hope and enables families to stay strong and connected.”
Craig explained how they were supported throughout their application. “We’ve been treated exactly the same as anyone else,” Craig said, “the overall thoughts were that we were doing the right thing and that we would be ideal as carers. Applying was easy, we just made ourselves available for regular chats and visits. The induction process was easy too.”
Craig continued: “The only thing we thought about was how a child and their family might feel about them being looked after by two gay men, but it hasn’t been an issue at all. We asked our foster son how he feels about it, and he said it doesn’t matter”.
Dave, who is a primary school teacher, added: “We had a lot of support throughout the process. Our support worker was brilliant, they explained everything to us, and we were treated no differently to anyone else. If we could live in a world where being LGBT+ is normalised, that would be the goal for me. We try to teach our young person that being LGBT+ is normal.”
Councillor Gordon Watson, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services said: “We have a number of LGBT+ foster carers who do a fantastic job and are respected and valued, both by our service and the children and young people they care for. There is no such thing as a ‘typical foster carer’, so please don’t rule yourself out.
"We urgently need more stable and caring foster homes for the children and young people in our care, on both a short-term and long-term basis, so get in touch with us if you thi you could make a positive difference to a child’s future.”
Please visit the Fostering Rotherham website at www.fosteringrotherham.com to find out more about fostering with Rotherham Council.
For further information about adoption, visit the One Adoption South Yorkshire website at www.oneadoption.co.uk