Can LGBTQ+ people become foster parents?

LGBTQ+ applicants are assessed under the same fostering requirements as other prospective carers. The assessment considers whether you can meet a child’s needs, work with professionals, manage the responsibilities of fostering and provide a suitable home environment. Being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning does not prevent you from applying.

You do not need to be married or in a heterosexual relationship. Single LGBTQ+ people can apply, as can same-sex couples and couples where one or both partners are transgender or non-binary. If you apply as a couple, both of you will be assessed because fostering affects the whole household. The assessment will consider your relationship, communication, support for one another and readiness to care for a child together.

Fostering services must consider applicants fairly and consistently. They should not reject an application simply because of a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. However, assessors may ask about your experiences, relationships, support network and how you would respond to issues that could affect a child in your care. These questions are part of understanding your circumstances and identifying the support or training that may be useful.

Your LGBTQ+ identity or experience may help you understand some of the challenges faced by children who are questioning their identity or being supported with their sexuality or gender. You are not expected to have specialist knowledge or personal experience of every issue. What matters is your willingness to listen, respect a child’s identity, challenge discrimination and work with the child’s social worker, school and other professionals.

The fostering assessment normally includes:

• Initial discussions about your circumstances, motivation and the types of placements you may be able to offer.
• Checks relating to your identity, household, health, finances, home and any relevant criminal history.
• References from people who know you well, along with conversations with members of your household.
• Training to help you understand safeguarding, trauma, attachment, behaviour, contact arrangements and equality issues.
• Home visits and detailed assessment sessions covering your background, relationships, support network and ability to care for children.
• A recommendation to the fostering panel or relevant decision-maker before approval.

You should be open about any concerns you have regarding discrimination, confidentiality or how your identity will be discussed during the assessment. A fostering service should explain its process, listen to your questions and make reasonable adjustments where needed. You can also ask how it supports LGBTQ+ foster carers and how it prepares carers to support children whose identity, sexuality or family background is different from their own.

After approval, LGBTQ+ foster parents receive ongoing supervision, training and guidance as part of the fostering service’s support. This can include help with placement planning, conversations about identity, relationships with birth family members and responding to prejudice or bullying. Foster carers may also receive fostering allowances and other financial support, depending on the fostering service and the type of placement.

If you are considering applying, the next step is to speak to a fostering service and explain your household circumstances. You can ask about the assessment criteria, training, support for LGBTQ+ carers and the kinds of placements that may be suitable. Become a Foster Family provides information, guidance, training and ongoing support for people exploring fostering through its regional teams.