First4Adoption welcomes big rise in number of same-sex couples adopting but urges more LGBT adopters to come forward

3 March 2014

First4Adoption has welcomed the recent three-fold rise in the number of children adopted by same-sex couples but is urging more lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and trans (LGBT) people to consider adopting one of the more than 6,000 children still waiting to be adopted in England.

According to the latest government statistics, the number of children adopted by same-sex couples has trebled from 2% in 2008 to 6% in 2013*. However, many more adopters are needed for the thousands of children waiting, including many children under 2 years old.

“Adoption offers LGBT people an excellent way to create a family and recent government reforms mean that it is now much quicker and easier to adopt than before – the approval process takes just six months,” said Gemma Gordon-Johnson, Head of Service at First4Adoption. “However, we still need more LGBT people to come forward to find out more about adopting one of the many thousands of boys and girls still waiting for a loving family.”

She added: “We know that 1 in 7 (or 4 million) people in England would consider adopting**, so we urge LGBT people not to be put off by myths about who can adopt – you can adopt if you are LGBT, single or over 40 – and to get in touch with us.”

To mark LGBT Adoption and Fostering Week (3rd – 9th March), First4Adoption has joined forces with LGBT charity Stonewall to host a web chat on Monday 3rd March (6-7pm) offering LGBT people who are interested in finding out more about adopting – from what’s involved in the adoption process to how to take the next steps – the chance to speak directly to adoption experts. We look forward to taking your questions.

*source: Children looked after in England, including adoption

**The research was conducted by Kindred and Work Research on behalf of the Department for Education. The research findings are based on the responses given in an online survey of 4,948 adults aged 20-64 years old and living in England that was carried out between 30th November and 5th December 2012, plus 18 in-depth, face-to-face interviews with adults aged 20-64 years old living in England that was carried out during November 2012. Respondents were drawn from a highly diverse sample pool including adults from all regions of England, people from different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds as well as people with differing relationship statuses.

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