More and more people from the LGBTQ+ community are discovering that their sexuality and gender identity is no barrier to becoming a foster carer.
The increasing support from LGBTQ+ foster carers continues to make a positive difference to local children and young people, as well as bring much-needed diversity to the foster care workforce.
Greater Manchester’s fostering campaign, Fostering Unfiltered, which brings together all ten local councils, last month took part in the Manchester Pride Parade to encourage more people from the LGBTQ+ community to consider fostering.
Barry and Andi have been foster carers with Trafford Council for four years. They have been together for 24 years, having worked together in a children’s home. They both now work for the Probation Service.
Barry said: “As couples do, we’d talked about having children and the possibility of adoption. We went along to an open day organised by Trafford Council for people interested in fostering and we were pleasantly surprised. We half-expected to be turned away, not just because we were a same-sex couple but also because we worked full-time. But we received a warm welcome and it just moved on from there.”
The couple say they felt supported throughout the application process, which left them well prepared to begin their fostering journey. Andi says: “We both work in probation so there isn’t much that is going to surprise us. We were a bit anxious about whether some young people who came to live with us would push back because we’re a gay couple, but it has never been an issue.”
Barry and Andi continue work full time while fostering, but their hours are flexible with some work from home, which suits their fostering commitments caring for children aged from five to 18.
Councillor Karina Carter, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Children & Young People, said:
“Our fostering family here in Trafford is inclusive and welcoming and we’re delighted to see a growing number of foster carers from the LGBTQ+ community. The most important thing for our cared for children is that they have loving and stable homes, and we’re lucky to have committed carers like Barry and Andi providing them with the love and security they need to thrive. I hope their story inspires more people in Trafford to consider fostering – it’s incredible rewarding and you really can make such a difference.”
For more information on fostering with your local council in Greater Manchester visit
Fostering Unfiltered - Home (fostering-unfiltered.org)
Fostering Unfiltered - Home (fostering-unfiltered.org)
Posted on Tuesday 12th September 2023