Now’s the time to start your journey.
LGBTQ+ Adoption & Fostering Week returns on 2 March 2026, bringing a powerful message for anyone in the LGBTQ+ community who has ever considered growing their family: now’s the time.
Led by New Family Social, the UK’s charity supporting LGBTQ+ adopters and foster carers, this year’s theme highlights the simple truth that there is no perfect moment to begin the journey into adoption or fostering — but there is an urgent need for more people to come forward.
Why Now matters
Across the UK, thousands of children are waiting for safe, stable and loving homes:
- 81,770 children were looked after in England in 2025
- 7,198 children in Wales in 2024
- 11,844 children in Scotland in 2024
- 4,188 children in Northern Ireland in 2025
With England alone committing to recruiting 10,000 new foster care places, the need for more adopters and foster carers is pressing — and LGBTQ+ people play a vital role in meeting that need.
Challenging myths and building confidence
The week is shaped and delivered by LGBTQ+ adopters and foster carers, in partnership with agencies across the UK. The campaign aims to break down misconceptions and show that adoption and fostering are accessible routes to parenthood for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples.
Throughout the week, agencies will share specially recorded films across social media, answering common questions and giving a honest insight into what LGBTQ+ applicants can expect — from early enquiries to approval and beyond. These personal reflections reveal the human side of a process that can feel daunting, helping people see that they’re not alone in taking those first steps.
Hear from those who’ve already taken the journey
Visitors and potential applicants will be able to:
- Hear directly from LGBTQ+ adopters and foster carers about their first steps into parenting
- Connect with welcoming agencies offering LGBTQ‑specific support
- Learn about the different routes into adoption and fostering
- Find agencies in their local area
- Access clear, honest information with no pressure to commit
These real‑life stories often echo the same message: the “perfect moment” to start never arrived — so they started anyway.
A message from New Family Social
Tor Docherty, Chief Executive of New Family Social, captures the spirit of the campaign:
“So many LGBTQ+ people tell us they felt they had to wait for a perfect moment before looking into adoption or fostering. But that time never arrived and they went ahead anyway.
Right now our country’s most vulnerable children still need adoptive homes and foster carers. This week’s about saying: if you’re wondering whether this could ever be for you, now’s the time to take those vital first steps.”
How to get involved
Whether you’re actively exploring adoption or fostering or simply curious, LGBTQ+ Adoption & Fostering Week is the ideal time to:
- Join online events and Q&As
- Watch stories from LGBTQ+ families
- Listen to the The New Family Social podcast – Spotify | Apple Podcasts
- Take a look at fostering opportunities with us
- Contact us for an initial chat
Even if parenthood still feels far off, taking the time to learn more is a meaningful first step.
