Can I foster if I am part of the LGBTQ+ community?

When providing care for children all that should matter is that they have a safe, stable and loving home to call their own. This means that gender or relationship status shouldn’t impact whether you’re eligible to foster. 

We believe that as long as you have the right personal qualities and the means to support a child’s growth and development, you should be afforded the same opportunities as anyone else. Many of the fostering agencies across the UK welcome those in the LGBTQ+ community as they know as much as we do that having compassion and empathy is more important than whether you’re straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. 

Championing diversity within a family 

It’s essential to show children of all ages that families can look very different, whether it’s having two mums, two dads or transgender parents.

Our foster children are in need of a supportive and loving home and that comes in all shapes and sizes. 

It is a common myth that those within the LGBTQ+ community are not allowed to adopt, but that is untrue. Our role as a foster parent is to allow our children the space to become their own person, make their own decisions and become a unique individual, sexual preference does not impact this ability in any way and therefore you are more than welcome to apply to become a foster parent if you are a part of the LGBTQ+ community. 

Can you foster if you’re LGBTQ+ and single? 

Absolutely you can, all you need is proof that you have a supportive network that can help you if you need it. Being single should not impact your ability to care for a child as long as you have the means to give them a loving home. 

If you are divorced, this may come up during your application process simply due to the financial implications that divorce can create. Your assessment to become a foster parent is a full rundown of your entire life, so your divorce being brought up shouldn’t be something to worry too much about. As long as you can show you have the financial means to take care of a child, that you have people around you to support your fostering decision and that emotionally you feel stable enough to welcome a child into your life, there shouldn’t be any issues. 

Can you foster if you are transgender?

Much like sexuality, your gender will not have an impact on how you can support and care for a child. Being transgender will not impact your application negatively and we want you to feel confident and comfortable with applying to become a foster parent if you’re trans. 

If you’re applying to become a foster carer as an LGBTQ+ individual or couple, the only thing you need to look into is the requirements of the fostering agency. You will be expected to meet those requirements just as those in heterosexual relationships or straight individuals. You can find all of our fostering requirements right here or you can apply to become one of our amazing foster carers by getting in touch with our team.