Now's the time for LGBTQ+ people to start adoption and fostering

LGBTQ+ Adoption & Fostering Week returns today, 2 March. Led by New Family Social, it aims to inspire LGBTQ+ people across the UK to explore adoption and fostering as routes to building their family. The campaign focuses on the fact that there’s no such thing as the perfect time to start this journey. 

Now’s the time - this year’s theme - encourages LGBTQ+ potential applicants to start their journey now. There’s never a perfect time to adopt or foster, but with an urgent need for more applicants, now’s the time to take the first steps. 

In England alone, there’s widespread concern about a shortage of approved adopters for the number of children with adoption as their care plan. The government in Westminster also recently committed to recruiting 10,000 new foster care places. 

Run by LGBTQ+ adopters and foster carers and delivered in partnership with adoption and fostering agencies nationwide, the week will challenge myths and build confidence in prospective candidates. The campaign will share the voices of those who’ve already adopted, or now foster, alongside agencies that want to hear from LGBTQ+ potential applicants.

Agencies across England, Scotland and Wales will speak directly to LGBTQ+ potential adoptive parents and foster carers, through a series of social media films. Asking what LGBTQ+ applicants can expect when going on their parenting journey with the agency, and why now is the time to start exploring adoption or fostering, the films show the human side to what can be a daunting process. With some 85 agencies participating, there are options for LGBTQ+ people across the country.

Throughout the campaign, potential applicants can hear directly from LGBTQ+ adopters and foster carers about when they took their first steps into parenting and caring; hear from adoption and fostering agencies that offer LGBTQ+ applicants specific support and that are keen to hear from people in the community who could apply; learn about the different paths into adoption and fostering.

Tor Docherty, Chief Executive of New Family Social, said: "So many LGBTQ+ people tell us they felt they had to wait for a perfect moment before looking into adoption or fostering. But that time never arrived and they went ahead anyway.

 "Right now, our country’s most vulnerable children still need adoptive homes and foster carers. This week’s about saying: if you’re wondering whether this could ever be for you, now’s the time to take those vital first steps. Research the process. Understand how it’ll change your life. Learn about thesupport you’ll need to make it a success. Look at agencies that take part in the campaign to find out which is right for you."

In England in 2025, one in five adoptions were to same-gender couples. The proportion was the same in Wales in 2024. In Scotland, the proportion stood at one in eight in 2024. Northern Ireland recorded one in 11 adoptions to same-gender couples in 2025. No UK government publishes equivalent data on people who currently foster.

During the week, participating agencies will share information, events and short films across social media. This will help potential applicants understand what support's available and how agencies work with LGBTQ+ people at every stage of their journey.