Brighton and Hove LGBT parents in demand as foster parents

A fostering and adoption information event with a special focus on reaching out to people from the city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community is being held at the Jubilee Library in Brighton tomorrow, Thursday 19 February, from 4-7pm.

Staff from Brighton & Hove City Council’s fostering and adoption teams are holding the event to mark LGBT History Month and raise awareness of fostering and adoption within the LGBT community.

Staff members and current foster carers will be on hand to answer questions and share their experiences.

The chair of the council’s children and young people committee, Councillor Sue Shanks, said: “We welcome interest in fostering and adoption from all sections of the community.

“We have had feedback that suggests there are LGBT people out there who think they are not allowed to be foster carers or adopters and have therefore never given it serious consideration.

“We want them to understand clearly that we very much welcome interest in fostering and adopting from the LGBT community, so we are looking forward to getting this message out to them during LGBT Week.

“Our focus is not on your age, gender, sexuality or marital status. It is on whether you have the time and energy to offer a safe, loving home to children who have had a difficult start in life.

“If you have ever thought about fostering or adoption – and have a spare bedroom – please do come along. We would love to meet you!”

If you cannot make it to the event on February 19 but want to know more about fostering or adoption in Brighton & Hove you can call 01273 295444, email fostering.adoption@brighton-hove.gov.uk or visit www.fosteringinbrightonandhove.org.uk