Becoming an LGBT Foster Carer

A foster carer, regardless of their sexual orientation, must be able to create a conducive environment for a foster child/young adult to be happy, healthy and stable. LGBT-affirming families can be instrumental in the personal development of a young person that identifies as LGBT by providing a home that encourages the young person to be their authentic self. Around puberty, the children are finding their identity and they need to know that whatever they choose is acceptable and they need to feel supported. LGBT foster carers can provide the support that the young person needs because they can relate. Feeling accepted and supported can improve the young person’s overall well being.

Becoming an LGBT foster carer can be anything between a simple and easy process to a turbulent process plagued with red tape, bureaucracy and prejudice. The key to simplifying it is to finding an agency that’s welcoming and being open and honest about your orientation. Being an LGBT foster carer can be fulfilling for you but it could also help a young person in the foster care system that identifies as LGBT.

Here is *Susan’s inspirational story below:

“Being an unmarried person who identifies as LGBT made me sceptical about joining the foster care system. I had so many questions and I wasn’t sure if I’d be allowed to register as a foster carer. My biggest concern was disclosing my sexual orientation. I had fears that I’d be discriminated against based on my sexual preference. Despite all these fears, I still had a home to offer. I knew I had it in me to open up my home to a foster child and to look after them to the best of my ability. I found a foster care agency that was LGBT-affirming and it made everything simpler. Not only did I get training but I also have a supportive structure to walk me through foster care. My advice to any LGBT foster carers is that you should disclose your LGBT identity from the onset. It’s part of who you are and the more upfront you are, the better it is in the long run. Full disclosure protects you from looking like you are dishonest or secretive,” *Susan.

*Not the real name 

Here at Family Works Fostering we welcome anyone that wishes to foster regardless of their sexual orientation. If you are considering fostering or know someone that is please contact us by calling +44 1702 59 77 97 or sending an email to info@fw-fostering.co.uk