An LGBT role model is encouraging more gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in Leicestershire to consider fostering.
Sue West, a manager in Leicestershire County Council’s fostering and adoption service, is keen to see the number of LGBT foster parents increase to support even more of Leicestershire’s children in care.
The call comes during LGBT fostering and adoption week, an annual awareness week that sees agencies across the UK hold events specifically for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender prospective parents.
Sue said: “We need to recruit more LGBT foster carers - we only have a handful at the moment. The bottom line is, we need loving foster families and homes for the children in our care. LGBT people can provide those homes and be those families that make a difference to a child’s future.”
Having worked in children’s services since 1989, and coming out to friends and family later in life, Sue has worked hard to create a service that celebrates diversity, and hopes that with the help of her team this will start to filter through a fostering recruitment drive.
“Applicants can expect a very fair, open and honest assessment with us and social workers that don't make assumptions about them.”
A drop-in session for anyone interested in becoming a foster carer is being held at Loughborough West Sure Start Centre on Tuesday, 22 March.
Members of the council’s fostering team will be available from 4.30pm to 7.30pm to answer questions about the different roles and the support available.
There are no rules about who can and can’t foster, we just ask that people can provide a spare room and supportive environment to a young person.
If you think you can fit fostering in your life, we’d really like to hear from you.
Person:Councillor Ivan Ould, cabinet member for children and families
More information on fostering is available online, by emailing fosteringandadoption@leics.gov.uk or call 0116 305 0505.