At Medway Council Fostering, we are proud to support Medway’s LGBT+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) fostering community in the celebration of diversity, equality and inclusivity.
LGBT+ fostering community in Medway
Many believe that their sexual orientation makes them ineligible to becoming foster carers, and this could not be further from the truth.
Our foster carers have made significant contributions to improving the lives of our children in care, regardless of religion, race, class, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
LGBT+ foster carers have been fostering children for several years and the LGBT+ fostering community continues to grow. There are many examples of children growing up in safe and happy homes where they feel loved and accepted.
We are inviting anyone interested to contact us to find out about fostering and how to become a foster carer.
Subject to all the usual checks and processes, there is no reason why someone from the LGBT+ community cannot foster.
We recognise the strong skillset LGBT+ people can bring to parenting and caring
LGBT+ foster carers understand the unique challenges and barriers in today’s society that those in care may also feel. With their experience, they can offer guidance, resilience and support to these children.
Providing a safe and caring environment for a child is the most important thing. Just as there is diversity in the children in foster care, there is also diversity in the foster carer community.
The children and young people who need loving foster homes come from all backgrounds with different needs and support requirements. The best way we can help them is to have foster carers as diverse as they are, ready to welcome and care for them.
Each day is different, but with passion, drive, support and encouragement this is a career that lasts a lifetime and really makes a difference.
Who can foster
People from all walks of life can become foster carers.
You might be:
- single
- a cohabiting couple
- a same-sex couple
- a homeowner
- renting
- a parent or not
- of any marital status or sexual orientation.
If you have a spare room and you’re over the age of 21, then you could be eligible to foster.
It is an outdated belief that foster carers need to own their own property, have children of their own and foster as a couple. This is not the case anymore.
We believe that everyone could have the potential to be an amazing foster carer, and every vulnerable young person deserves the chance to find their perfect foster carer.
Find out more about our criteria that must be met to pass the foster carer assessments.
Support for foster carers
As well as having direct contact with a dedicated and qualified social worker, carers have access to our team of social workers who are available 24 hours a day, as well as a community of foster carers.
We offer training to ensure looked-after children are always receiving the support they need.
In addition to a taxable income, we also offer financial support for:
- food
- clothing
- travel
- household expenses.
Read more about support for foster carers.
Interested in fostering
We hope anyone thinking of fostering will take that step in finding out more about becoming a foster carer with us.
We can talk you through the process and answer any questions you might have.
You can submit an enquiry or register your interest in fostering by using our online form.
Register your interest in fostering
You can also get in touch by emailing fcrecruitment@medway.gov.uk or by calling us on 01634 335 726. Our phone lines are open Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.