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LGBT foster carers

Someone once told me that if just 1% of LGBT+ adults in the UK fostered then there would be no national shortage of foster carers.

Unfortunately the situation is bleak - there are far more kids in care than foster carers available.

You may come under the LGBT+ umbrella and would like to do something to help children but haven't considered fostering yet. Or you may have looked into it, tentatively, but not taken the plunge yet. You may be worried, apprehensive or even scared.

Well.. For starters your application will not be treated negatively due to your gender identity or sexual orientation. It's illegal for one.

As it happens I to come under the LGBT+ spectrum and my social worker couldn't have given a monkeys. In a good way. It was a complete non-issue. In fact during my assessment those many moons ago it was a positive - because I'd be able to identify and help LGBT+ youth in care.

Maybe you're worried about how any child who comes into your care will react to you? There is no need. Kids can work these things out. Even the little ones seem to know. You don't want to closet yourself in your own home. Most kids really don't give a monkeys too.

But just in case with me for older kids who're mature enough to understand, my social worker asks them what they would think if they stayed with someone like me. One hundred percent of the kids asked haven't cared one bit. Not bothered. Actually its us as adults who seem more bothered.

What is important is your ability to care for a child, not whom you date or how you identify. Yes there may be the odd kid who would kick up a fuss but they shouldn't be placed with you, and if an issue arose, speak to your social worker. Sometimes it can be as simple as kids repeating words they've heard without realising they're being offensive, and once they know, the issue can be solved.

If you start as a carer and get a partner whilst looking after children, then you will need to speak to your social worker about that, and your partner be assessed (if you're getting serious) but that's exactly the same for all foster carers as you're introducing a new adult to a child in care.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that YES you can foster if you're LGBT+. There is no barrier to you, and your experiences can be a huge plus. Don't be shy about being you. Pick up that phone, and on your personal info form do tick that box that best represents who you are, because who you are is important.

Lots of love (the newly outed :) ) Bristol Fostering.

NB Bristol Fostering is a personal blog and not affiliated with any fostering agency. The author just happens to be a foster carer in Bristol, UK

We do recommend Bristol Council though as they're fab. Bristol Council fostering enquiry form




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