LGBTQ+ Adoption and Fostering Week
LGBTQ+ Adoption and Fostering Week takes place from 3 March to 9 March.
The 2025 campaign focuses on encouraging more LGBTQ+ people to change lives in 2025, through fostering or adoption. The campaign is run by New Family Social and is supported locally by our fostering service and Adoption Lancashire and Blackpool.
Get in touch or meet the team
We have many same-sex couples, or single people from the LGBTQ+ community, in Lancashire who are providing stable and loving homes for children and young people who cannot live with their own families. Read Neil and Steve's story to hear more about their experiences of fostering with us.
We always need more foster carers from all walks of life, and we welcome applications from people of all ages, sexuality, gender, single, married, cohabiting, in same-sex relationships, with or without their own children, working or not.
To be considered as foster carers you need to be over 21 and living in or close to Lancashire.
There is no typical foster carer – we need people with stability, love and resourcefulness who can help a child with whatever needs they may have.
If you're LGBTQ+ this may be the first time you've ever considered fostering. Get in touch today to find out how you can make a positive difference to a local child or meet our fostering team at one of our information or community events.
Contact our friendly, local fostering team via our enquiry form or call 0300 019 0200.
Michelle's story
Michelle shares her experience of fostering LGBTQ+ children. Michelle is married with a 15-year-old son, Charlie, and has been a foster carer for 8 years. She has been caring for a transgender young person Chloe* for several months now and also has a 19-year-old girl who is staying with them long term.
“I’ve fostered 25 children and I have previous experience of looking after a young person who was a lesbian, helping her get back into school and making great progress with her.
“My son Charlie has autism, and we explained to him about Chloe beforehand, so he understood who was coming to stay and her situation. I felt confident in supporting Chloe as she also has autism so I could offer advice and support in her day-to-day life.
“When Chloe arrived, we felt very aware of her pronouns. She is a she, not a they. I had researched trans groups in our area and additional support for her online. However, Chloe was confident enough to not want to access any support groups, she has a good network of friends.
"I took Chloe shopping when she arrived as I would with any of my foster children and let her pick everything she wanted. Deodorant or make up. I didn't want to presume what she would wear and didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable.
"Chloe isn't a girlie girl, she doesn’t wear dresses or skirts but she loves sports and plays on a mixed team. This is something she really enjoys so I was keen to ensure that she can still access this.
"By being respectful about her needs and taking things slowly, she's starting to open up to me.
"To look after an LGBTQ+ child, you need to be confident that you can be an advocate for them regardless of your own believe system. You have to accept them for who they are.
"Do your own research and find local support groups and online. Then present different options and to see what they want to do.
"After looking after Chloe, I am happy to care for children who are a little different. I want to advocate for children who maybe can't for themselves."
*Names have been changed to protect the identity of the young person.
Support
In recognition of the valuable work of foster carers and increasing costs, we have raised our allowances.
Find out more about the benefits and support you'll receive as part of our fostering community.
New foster carers will also have:
- ongoing local training and support groups
- foster care academy induction programme
- fostering mentoring scheme where you will be allocated a mentor
- fostering communities project providing local peer support to small groups of foster carers.