0121 303 7575

Mon-Fri, 8.45am-4.15pm

0121 303 7575

Mon-Fri, 8.45am-4.15pm

family out in a park

LGBTQ Adoption

LGBTQIA+ Adoption

Adopt Birmingham have a long history of supporting the LGBTQ+ community grow their family through adoption.

We’re thrilled to hear that you might be considering a journey towards becoming an adoptive parent, especially if you’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Adopt Birmingham is here to guide you every step of the way. We prepare, approve, and support adoptive parents for children across the West Midlands. We positively encourage applicants who identify as LGBTQIA+

The majority of UK adoption agencies now have plenty of experience supporting LGBTQIA+ adopters, in fact, the UK is now one of the world leaders in this domain, setting a wonderful example for other countries to follow.

Today one in four of our adopters identify as LGBTQIA+ and we continue to work hard to ensure that that our LGBTQIA+ adopters have the same experience as their straight peers.

Head of Service, Andrew Logie says, “Today one in four of our adopters identify as LGBTQ+ and we continue to work hard to ensure that that our LGBTQ+ adopters have the same experience as their straight peers. We listen and learn from everyone who contacts our service.

“We have a long history of welcoming gay adopters. Although we have always acted within the law, we welcomed single gay adopters before adoption by same-sex couples was legalised by the Adoption and Children Act, which came into effect in 2005.  We’re proud of this history and our links to the LGBTQIA+ community in Birmingham.”

Statistics

In 2022, more than one in six (540 out of 2,950) adoptions in England were granted to same-sex couples – the “greatest proportion on record”, according to New Family Social. That’s an increase of 17 cent on the previous year, and a huge leap from the one in 31 recorded in 2011.
  • 1 in 6

    adoptions in England were granted to same-sex couples

    There is currently no data that represents single LGBTQ+ adopters, bisexual people in different gender relationships, non-binary people, and trans people in different gender relationships.

  • 1 in 4

    adoptions with Adopt Birmingham were granted to same-sex couples

Adoptive parents playing with two toddlers

You Can Adopt Children:

  • If you are single
  • If you are in a same-sex relationship
  • If you are transgender
  • If you are non-binary
  • If you are in a consensual non-monogamous relationship

The adoption process:

The adoption process in England is a legally regulated process. It is designed to ensure that all adoptive parents are properly prepared and assessed to be able to meet the needs of children who have experienced loss and trauma.

Once you start the adoption process, it will take around six months for you to be approved as an adopter. You will have a dedicated social worker who will guide and support you throughout this period.

Adoption Process

 

Medical Considerations

Every prospective adopter undergoes an adoption medical examination conducted by their GP. It’s a crucial step in the adoption process. We acknowledge that some individuals may find medical settings uncomfortable.

Family Dynamics

Throughout the adoption process, discussions about support networks and family trees may arise, potentially causing concern for those fractured or challenging relationships within their birth family. During the assessment with your social worker, these dynamics will be explored. While your chosen family may offer abundant support, the decision to distance yourself from birth relatives is a significant life event that merits discussion and understanding. Your life experiences, both positive and challenging, will shape your approach to parenting.

The adoption process recognises, and values diverse ways individuals form meaningful connections and find support structures in their journey towards becoming loving and capable parents.

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