Northumberland County Council is proud to support national LGBTQ+ Adoption and Fostering Week.  
 

Led by the charity New Family Social, the week aims to remind people that if they want to foster or adopt they can be from any background, gender or sexual orientation. 
 

This year’s campaign ‘1,2,3 or More?’ highlights the positive impact LGBTQ+ people can make by adopting or fostering single children or those in sibling groups. 
 

The council currently supports over 168 foster families, but with 446 children in care, there is an urgent need for more people to come forward and join the team.     
 

Guy Renner-Thompson, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Children’s Services, said: “We have a fantastic family of dedicated foster carers here in Northumberland, but we need more carers to join us. While there is a need for foster carers for children of all ages, there is a particular need for carers who can offer long term homes to sibling groups and older children. 
 

“We welcome people from all walks of life who are interested in finding out more about how they can open their homes to make a difference to the lives of some of our most vulnerable young people.” 
 

As part of the week’s events, the council is hosting a virtual “Is fostering for me?” event at 6pm on Wednesday 8th March.   
 

Sharing their story and answering questions will be foster carers Jonny and Dean, from South-East Northumberland.  

Jonny said: “Our fostered child has been part of our family for over two years now.  
 

“It has been amazing becoming the little family that we are – an extension to his birth family who we link in with to ensure he stays in touch with people who are important to him.   
 

“Now we are all settled as one big extended family, we are looking at how we can help other children in the future, as long as it is right for both them and our current little one.” 
 

Listen to more of their story here. 
 

Tor Docherty, New Family Social Chief Executive, said: ‘We hope LGBTQ+ potential applicants will think about the number of children they could care for. Some children need to be cared for by themselves. Others will thrive if they can live with their siblings.” 
 

If you would like to sign up for our 8th March event, please call, message or email our recruitment officer Caroline on 07779 983 165 or  foster@northumberland.gov.uk or go online www.northumberland.gov.uk/foster to find out how you can use your current skills and experience to support children. 

If you are interested in adoption, please visit our regional partner’s website for more details: www.adoptnortheast.org.uk