Council encourages LGBT+ adopters and foster carers

Bridgend County Borough Council will be supporting LGBT+ Fostering and Adoption Week by encouraging members of the local community who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other gender expressions (LGBT+) to consider adopting or fostering children in the county borough.

LGBT+ Adoption and Fostering Week 2020 will run from Monday 2 March until Sunday 8 March.

This year’s theme, ‘Why not you?’ aims to tackle some of the myths around adoption and fostering for LGBT+ people.

With many children in need of a stable and loving home in Bridgend County Borough, the council is keen to urge other potential LGBT+ adopters and foster carers to come forward.

Bridgend Foster Care and Western Bay Adoption Service both provide extensive information about who can adopt and foster as well as the process of adopting and fostering in the county borough.

For both potential adopters and foster carers, there are very few restrictions, you must be over the age of 21, not have any cautions or convictions against children and have a commitment to keeping children and young people safe.

LGBT+ Fostering and Adoption Week is a perfect opportunity for us to highlight the fact that we welcome LGBT+ carers and we want to inspire more people to make a positive difference to the lives of children in care.

There are many great reasons to foster such as the fact you gain recognised qualifications and have a sense of achievement from helping someone at a crucial time in their life.

The advantage of being part of Bridgend Foster Care is you keep Bridgend children in the county borough, so if you can offer a loving and safe environment for a child – then we encourage you to pick up the phone and find out more about how you can start your fostering journey.

Councillor Philip White, Cabinet Member for Social Services and Early Help

LGBT+ Adoption and Fostering Week is run by New Family Social, the network for LGBT+ adoption and foster families.

For further information on how to foster or adopt in Bridgend County Borough, contact Bridgend Foster Care on 01656 642674 or visit: www.bridgendfostercare.wales or contact Western Bay Adoption Service on 0300 365 2222 or visit: www.westernbayadoption.org.