We are proud to have a diverse community of foster carers and Supported Lodging’s Hosts working with Step by Step. Each foster carer brings with them a unique set of experiences, skills, and perspectives, enriching the lives of the children they care for. We believe that it’s important to work with foster carers from all walks of life to reflect the diverse range of family structures within society. Anyone can foster with us, so long as they can provide a safe and loving home to young people in need.
Members of the LGBTQ+ community make excellent foster carers. They often understand the feelings of being ‘different’ that many foster children experience and show empathy and compassion. There are also unfortunately many young people who have been placed in care due to their families not accepting their sexuality or gender identity. LGBTQ+ individuals and couples can provide accepting and supportive homes to young people who are figuring out their own identities. If you are LGBTQ+ here are just some of the reasons fostering could be a great option for you:
1. Fulfilling the Desire to Parent
For many LGBTQ+ individuals and couples, the desire to build a family is strong. Luckily there are now plenty of options for members of the LGBTQ+ community to start their own families. However, a lot of these options, such as surrogacy or IVF, come with a multitude of legal and financial hurdles. Fostering allows you to make the same meaningful impact on a young person’s life and offers a more accessible pathway to parenthood. Many foster children stay in contact with their foster families long after they’ve left the home. Becoming a foster carer allows you to create lifelong bonds with the children you care for.
2. Providing a Stable and Loving Home to Young People in Need
Young people in the foster care system have often faced adversity and may have experienced significant trauma. Members of the LGBTQ+ community, having navigated their own unique challenges and adversities, often possess heightened empathy and resilience. These qualities can be incredibly beneficial in providing the emotional support and understanding that foster children need. Fostering is an extremely rewarding experience that allows you to advocate for young people and the issues they face.
3. Personal Growth and Fulfilment
Fostering is an opportunity for personal development and provides you with a sense of gratification. The experience of caring for children, helping them to heal, grow and thrive is incredibly rewarding. Becoming a foster carer will strengthen your empathy, patience and resilience. It will also enhance your interpersonal and parenting skills. Fostering can affirm members of the LGBTQ+ community’s capacity for love and resilience and create a sense of purpose and connection.
4. Building a Community
Becoming a foster carer can also strengthen personal bonds and expand your social network. LGBTQ+ couples often find that fostering brings them closer together, as they work as a team to provide care and support to their foster children. At Step by Step Fostering, you will also be welcomed into a friendly and supportive community of foster carers. As our foster carers come from all walks of life, fostering with us will broaden your horizons. Connecting with other foster carers will enrich your life and allow you to feel the reward of helping others.
Fostering is an excellent way for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples to build lifelong bonds, provide essential support to vulnerable children, and advocate for greater inclusivity and acceptance within society.
If you are interested in starting your fostering journey, know that you have the potential to make a significant and positive impact. Fill out our enquiry form today and one of our friendly team will be in touch to tell you more about Step by Step Fostering and what makes us unique.