For LGBT History month, we thought we’d break down some of the myths surrounding LGBT fostering.
Many people rule themselves of fostering because of their sexuality. It’s sad to say in this day and age, but that’s why we are writing about it!
Foster carers come from all walks of life. At Family Care, about a quarter of our foster families are single carers, and we support some amazing same sex couples.
If you have a spare bedroom and time to care for a child, we can help you make a life-changing difference as a foster carer.
“A third of gay people believe their sexuality is a barrier to adoption and fostering”
Action for Children
LGBT Fostering Myths
Religion, race, ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation will not determine your suitability to foster.
What is most important is what you can offer a young person. Children coming into foster care need stability, security, a sense of belonging, and crucially – they need your time.
There are many things to consider when thinking about fostering, so we usually find the best starting point is a chat with a member of the team. Book a call today and get your questions answered.
Can I foster if I am bisexual or gay?
Short answer, yes. Sexual orientation does not affect your eligibility to foster.
Can I foster if I am transgender?
Once again, yes. Your gender is not a determining factor. Providing you meet the fostering requirements you can apply as a transgender foster carer.
I am in a same-sex relationship, can I foster?
Yes! (Spotting a theme?) Same-sex foster carers are in demand and being encouraged to come forward. Being in a same-sex relationship has zero impact on your eligibility.
I’m actively single, can I foster?
You can, providing you are able to offer a stable, consistent, and supportive environment for a young person. Regular visitors to the home would have to be carefully managed, your priority must be supporting a vulnerable child. It would be exactly the same for a heterosexual applicant.
I’m gay but recently divorced, does this stop me from fostering?
Absolutely not, being gay or lesbian in no way affects your suitability to foster. You can foster as a single parent providing you are financially and emotionally stable to support a vulnerable child. If you are very recently divorced (within the last 12-months), we would discuss this further with you during an initial enquiry to make sure you feel ready to foster. Fostering is a challenging role and we have a duty of care to our fostering families.
LGBT Fostering Summary
The key takeaway here is that your gender and sexuality is entirely irrelevant.
Every single person who makes an enquiry or application to foster is treated the same. We will say it again, what is most important is what you can offer a young person.
If you can consistently meet a child’s needs and you meet the fostering criteria, you can apply to foster.
There are three requirements to foster in the UK, they are:
- You must have a spare bedroom
- Be 21 years old
- Have British citizenship or indefinite leave to remain in the UK
This doesn’t mean that if you meet all three criteria you will be approved to foster. There are many other elements to a successful fostering application, but the process cannot start if you do not meet all three of these requirements.
Family Care is an avid supporter of LGBT rights and of LGBT History month. There are a small number of barriers for those wishing to become a foster carer, but sexuality is certainly not one of them.
As a fostering agency that actively promotes inclusivity and diversity, we welcome applications from LGBT fostering couples.
If you would like to become a foster carer, regardless of status, then please get in touch for a friendly, no-obligation chat. The difference you could make to a child’s life is astonishing.
Healing Pasts | Building Futures
Since 1988