Brighter Futures for Children’s (BFfC) fostering service in Reading – which is rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted -is supporting a national campaign to encourage more members of the LGBT+ community to consider becoming foster carers.

LGBT+ Adoption & Fostering Week, starting 7 March, aims to raise awareness and drive change by increasing the number of LGBT+ people caring for children looked after.

The theme of this year’s campaign is #BeTheChange and asks LGBT+ people to think about the range of vulnerable children they could parent or care for.

BFfC, the independent, not-for-profit company which runs children’s services on behalf of Reading Borough Council, is keen to dispel myths that could be deterring some people from becoming foster carers.

Some questions regularly asked by people enquiring about fostering in Reading are:

Q. I’m gay/lesbian/bisexual/trans/LGBTQ+, can I foster?

A. Yes, we welcome foster carers from all backgrounds and people of any gender or sexuality can foster. Having a varied life experience, such as coming out as gay or lesbian, is one of the important elements a foster carer can bring to the role.

Q. I’m single, can I foster alone?

A. Absolutely, you can be single, married or in a relationship and you can still foster with us.

Q. I don’t have children, can I foster?

A. Yes, you can. We will discuss with you what kind of experience you have of working with children and caring. If you think you need more experience, volunteering with a local childcare service is a great option.

Q. Do I need to own my home?

A. No you don’t. As long as you have a spare room and space for a child you can own or rent your home.

Q. What are the main criteria for fostering in Reading?

A. You need to be over 21, have a spare room, be a UK resident and live within 20 miles of Reading.

Deborah Glassbrook, Executive Director of Children’s Services, said: “There is no such thing as a typical foster carer in Reading. We have people from many different backgrounds doing an amazing job of caring for our children in care.

“It doesn’t matter about your gender, sexuality, age, race, living arrangements or employment status. If you’re over 21, care about children, have a spare room and want to make a real difference for children, we want to hear from you.”

BFfC’s fostering service has just been rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted. Inspectors said there was a wide range of support on offer to foster carers, including additional training, access to specialist clinical advice and support groups.

If you are interested in finding out more about fostering, visit www.readingfostering.co.uk, call 0118 469 3020 or email foster@brighterfuturesforchildren.org.

For more information about LGBT+ Adoption & Fostering Week, visit the New Family Social website:  New Family Social – LGBT+ Adoption & Fostering Week 2022

ENDS

Read the press release about the recent Ofsted inspection of BFfC’s fostering service at: https://brighterfuturesforchildren.org/bffc_fostering_good/.