LGBTQ+ GUIDETO ADOPTION
FOREWORD
TheLGBTQ+AdoptionGuidebyStDavid'sisaninvaluable resourceforthoseembarkingontheadoptionjourney
Withheartfeltinsightsfromadvocates,theguidewarmly addressesconcerns,promotinganinclusiveandsupportive atmosphere Ithighlightspositiveaspectssuchasembracing diversity,navigatingfamilydynamics,andchallengingsocietalnorms.
Byopenlydiscussingmentalhealth,medicalconsiderations,andpracticalitieslikeemploymentand housing,StDavid'sensuresaholisticunderstanding TheguidecelebratesthesuccessofLGBTQ+ placements,showcasingtheagency'scommitmenttodiversematches.Withupliftingnarrativesand practicalguidance,thisguidestandsasabeaconforhopefulLGBTQ+adopters,fosteringconfidence, resilience,andasenseofbelonging
LETTERFROM THECEO
AsCEOofStDavid’sAdoptionService,Iamproudtoreaffirmourcommitmenttoembracingacultureof diversityandinclusion. Wecelebratetheuniquenessofeveryadoptionjourneyatwhateverpointyou maybeonfrommakingthatfirstinitialenquiryaboutadoptiontoourpostadoptionsupportservices.
ThemissionofallwhoworkatSt David’sisclear:contributingtoourvibrantanddiversecommunityand ensuringthatwearethereforyoueverystepoftheway,celebratingtherewardsandnavigatingthe challenges.
WeinviteyoutoenjoyourguidetoLGBTQ+adoption,andwewelcomeyourfeedbackandany suggestionsforimprovement.
Jason Baker JASONBAKER,CEO
LGBTQ+ GUIDET0 ADOPTION
THEHISTORY 1 MENTALHEALTH 3 PERCEIVEDBARRIERS 5 MEDICAL 6 DISABILITY 7 FAMILYDYNAMICS 8 INCONVERSATION 9 CRIMINAL&LEGAL 11 SOCIETALPERCEPTIONS 12 EMPLOYMENT&MONEY 15 HOUSING 16 CONTRIBUTORS 17 INCONVERSATION 13 With Damian Kerlin With Lewis Fitzerald
THE HISTORY
Adoptionlegislation,datingbackto1926,haslongshaped thelandscapeoffamilycreation.Fromstringentmarriage requirementstotheevolvingattitudestowardsLGBTQ+ individuals,thejourneyofadoptionrightsreflectssocietal shiftsandlegaladvancements Thisspreaddelvesinto thehistoricalnuancesofadoptionlegislation,exploring thechallengesfacedbytheLGBTQ+communityandthe stridesmadetowardsinclusivity
1926-1976:TheMarriageMandate
Datingbackto1926,adoptionlegislationdictatedthat onlymarriedcouplescouldadopt.TheAdoptionActof 1976continuedthistradition,maintainingthemarriage requirementwhileallowingsingleindividualstopursue adoption
1980s:TheShadowsofSection28
The1980smarkedaperiodwhereadoptionandfostering agenciesoftenrejectedLGBTQ+applicants Section28, enactedin1987/88,castashadowoverLGBTQ+rightsby prohibitingthe“promotion”ofhomosexualityinschools DespitetheensuingcampaignsagainstSection28,it instillednervousnesswithinadoptionagencies, perpetuatingdiscriminatoryviews.
1990s:MediaBiasandLegalShifts
Mediabiasintheearly1990s,fuelledbyhomophobiaand fear-mongering,intensifieddiscriminatorysentiments Legaldevelopments,however,sawtherightforchildren tobematchedwiththeadultswhocouldbestmeettheir need,includingLGBTQ+couplesandindividuals’ Despite theconstraintsoftheAdoptionAct1976,creative approachesallowedsame-sexcouplestonavigatethe adoptionprocess.
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00s:StrugglesandLegislativeChange
erevocationofSection28in2000and2003in otlandandEngland&Wales,respectively,didnot mediatelytranslateintowidespreadacceptanceof BTQ+caregivers Thecontroversialdiscussions roundingtheAdoptionandChildrenAct2002 underscoredtheresistanceagainstLGBTQ+adoptions. TheAct,effectivein2005,finallyallowedunmarriedand same-sexcouplestoadoptjointly,thoughopposition persisted
Today:ProgressandChallenges
In2024,adoptionstatisticsreflectprogress,with1in8 adoptionsinNorthernIreland,1in5inEngland,and1in4 inWalesgoingtoLGBTQ+families StDavid'sAdoption Servicereportsapositivetrend,with30%ofplacements sinceApril2019beingtoLGBTQ+families.
TheFuture:ACommitmenttoEquality
Despitestrides,challengespersist,andinequalities remain.StDavid'sAdoptionServiceacknowledgesthe ongoingworkrequiredfortrueequality.Ourcommitment tolearningandimprovementunderscoresthe importanceofcontinuousprogress Associetyevolves, sotoodoesthenarrativeofadoptionrightsforthe LGBTQ+community.
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MENTAL HEALTH
Intheadoptionassessmentprocess,agenciesare experienced,likeushereatStDavid's,inworkingwith individualswhomayhaveencounteredmentalhealth challenges Socialworkersfocusonunderstandingyour supportnetworkduringdifficulttimes,yourawarenessof mentalhealthsigns,medicationusage,anditsimpact.A mandatoryadoptionmedical,conductedbyyourGP, coversmentalhealthdiscussions
Referencesfromcounsellorsmaybesought,emphasising confirmationofdatesratherthanspecificdetails
Ensuringyourcapacity,support,andcopingtoolsduring stressfulparentingsituationsiscrucialforcreatingsafe environmentsforadoptedchildren
WhileLGBTQ+individualsmaybemoresusceptibleto suicidalbehaviourandself-harm,pastexperiencesdo notautomaticallyprecludeyoufromtheadoption process.Honestcommunicationwithyoursocialworker isessential Agenciesrecognisethatovercomingpast adversitiescanenhanceresilience,potentiallybenefiting thechild'sunderstandingoftheirownbackground. Researchsupportingthisconceptcanfurthercontribute toacomprehensiveunderstandingofadopterswithpast adversities.
"Amidst my mental health battles, the adoption path appeared daunting. Thanks to my St. David's social worker, it became a journey of hope and healing Together, we transformed challenges into the creation of our forever family"
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MENTAL HEALTHSTATS
Statisticshighlightconcerningratesofmentalhealthchallengeswithinthe LGBTQ+community,emphasisingtheimportanceofaddressingthese issuesinthecontextofadoption.
AccordingtoStonewall(2018):
-52%ofLGBTindividualsreportedexperiencingdepressioninthepastyear
-13%ofLGBTQ+individualsaged18-24attemptedsuicideinthelastyear
-46%oftransindividualsand31%ofnon-transLGBindividualsconsidered suicideinthelastyear
-41%ofnon-binaryindividualsengagedinself-harminthelastyear
Research,includinginsightsfromMind(2020),indicatesthattheLGBTQ+ communityfaceshigherlevelsofpoormentalhealthduetofactorssuchas:
-Homophobia,biphobia,andtransphobia
-Stigmaanddiscrimination
-Challengingexperiencesrelatedtocomingout
-Socialisolation,exclusion,andrejection
RESOURCES
Stonewall
ThelargestLGBT+rightscharityintheUKwithamissiontoletalllesbian,gay, biandtranspeople,hereandabroad,knowthey’renotalone
Website:wwwstonewallorguk
Telephone:02075931850
Switchboard
SwitchboardisthenationalLGBTQIA+supportline.Foranyone,anywherein thecountry,atanypointintheirjourney.
Website:www.switchboard.lgbt
Telephone:08000119100
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PERCEIVED BARRIERS
Embarkingontheadoptionjourneyoftencomeswith hesitationsandconcernsthatmayhinderindividuals fromtakingthefirststep AtStDavid's,weencourage opencommunicationandwarmlywelcomethose contemplatingadoption,assuringthemofour commitmenttohonestyandanon-judgmentalapproach
Startingtheadoptionprocessnecessitatesbeinginthe rightphaseoflife,consideringtheintensityofthejourney Reflectingonone'spast,includingchildhood,parenting experiences,education,employment,andpast relationships,isanintegralpartofthisprocess Somemay findthisself-reflectionchallengingandmaynotfeel preparedforitatagiventime
Inthisguide,weaimtoaddressspecificbarriersthat individualsfromtheLGBTQ+communitymight encounterbeforeinitiatingtheadoptionprocess While therearespecificeligibilitycriteria,suchasbeingover21, beinganon-smoker(includinge-cigarettesandvapes), andhavingatleastonesparebedroom,manyaspects requireindividualizeddiscussions.Criminalconvictions willbediscussedindetaillaterinthisinformationpack
Wethankallapplicantsfromdiversebackgroundswho approachushonestly Recognizingandaddressing potentialissuesattheoutsetenablesustoprovide timelysupport Theadoptionprocessreliesonapplicants' opennessandcandourwiththeiradoptionagency, fosteringareciprocalrelationshipwheretransparencyis valuedandreciprocated
Identityexplorationisaninevitableaspectofadoptedindividuals'lives,andweencourageadoptiveparentsto offerasupportivehandinguidingtheirchildrenthroughthesecomplexissues.LGBTQ+individuals,havingoften delvedintotheirownidentities,possessaheightenedempathyfortheirchildren'schallengesinthisregard A poignantillustrationofthisiscapturedinthevideobyNewFamilySocial,whereAlex,anadoptiveDad,eloquently shareshispersonaljourney,youcanwatchitHERE.
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MEDICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Everyprospectiveadopterundergoesanadoption medicalexaminationconductedbytheirGP Itsacrucial stepintheadoptionprocess Weacknowledgethatsome individualsmayfindmedicalsettingsuncomfortable:1in7 LGBTQ+peopleavoidingseekinghealthcareduetofear ofdiscrimination.
Tocompletetheadoptionmedical,youmustbe registeredwithaGPwhocanaccessyourrecordsfora comprehensiveevaluation.Themedicalassessment coversaspectsofphysicalandmentalhealth,alongwith lifestylemetricssuchasweight,smoking,andalcohol consumption It'simportanttonotethatthecostofthe adoptionmedicalisnotstandardized EachGPsetsa differentprice,soitisadvisabletocheckwithyour medicalpractice
Aftercompletingthemedical,yourGPwillforwardthe reporttous,afterwhichourMedicalAdvisorwillprovide recommendations Adoptionagenciesseekparentswith thetime,energy,andcapacitytosupportchildren throughouttheirchildhood.Anyidentifiedriskswillbe openlydiscussed,includinghowyouhaveaddressed similarissuesinthepast.It'sadvisabletoconsultyourGP orspecialistbeforeapplyingtoadoptifyou'veundergone treatmentforaseriousillnesstogaugetheirperspective onthetimingoftheapplication.
Regardingspecifichealthconditions:
HIV:Contrarytocommonmisconceptions,livingwithHIVdoesnotdisqualifyyoufromadopting Adoption agencies,likeourselves,treatHIVlikeanyothermanageablecondition AdiagnosisofHIVwillbeaddressedin theassessment,recognizingitasasignificantlifeeventrequiringdiscussionduetoassociatedchallengessuch asmentalhealth,familyrelationships,andpotentialmedicalcomplications
Autism:Withmorethan1in7LGBTQ+peopleintheUKontheautismspectrum,parentingwhileonthe spectrumpresentsuniquechallenges.However,italsobringsuniquestrengthsthatcanbevaluablein parenting.Theassessmentacknowledgesthedistinctaspectsofparentingontheautismspectrum, recognisingbothchallengesandstrengths.
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DISABILITY
Itisrecognisedthatindividualswithdisabilitiescan provideanurturingandlovinghomeforchildren.
First4Adoption(2013)acknowledgesthatthelife experiencesofindividualswithdisabilitiescanoffera uniqueperspectiveintothelivesofchildrenincare,many ofwhommayperceivethemselvesas'different'orshare similardisabilities.
Livingwithadisabilitywithintheframeworkofpositive relationshipscanimpartvaluablelessonstochildren, emphasisingtheimportanceofinclusivityandfostering anappreciationfordifferences Aspreviouslymentioned, ifyouhaveconcernsorquestions,pleasereachouttous.
YourGPandanyspecialistsyouconsultcanprovide insightsintohowyourdisabilitymightimpactyour adoptionapplicationandyourabilitytoparentinthe future
Opencommunicationisvitaltounderstandingand addressinganypotentialconsiderationsrelatedto disabilityintheadoptionprocess.
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FAMILY DYNAMICS
Throughouttheadoptionprocess,discussionsabout supportnetworksandfamilytreesmayarise,potentially causingconcernforthosewithfracturedorchallenging relationshipswithintheirbirthfamily It'scommonamong LGBTQ+individualstoforgenewchosenfamiliesthat providethenecessarysupport,love,andshared aspirations,allowingthemtoembracetheirauthentic selves.
Notably,39%ofsurveyedLGBTQ+individualsinan Americanstudyreportedfacingrejectionfromtheirbirth families(PewResearchCentre,2013),oftenduetononacceptanceoftheirLGBTQ+identityortheperceived inabilitytosafelycomeouttotheirbirthfamily.
Duringtheassessmentwithyoursocialworker,these dynamicswillbeexplored Whileyourchosenfamilymay offerabundantsupport,thedecisiontodistanceyourself frombirthrelativesisasignificantlifeeventthatmerits discussionandunderstanding.Yourlifeexperiences,both positiveandchallenging,willshapeyourapproachto parenting Forinstance,navigatingrejectionfromyour birthfamilymightequipyouwithinsightstosupporta childinunderstandingtheirpastandidentity
Researchincreasinglyemphasisestheimportanceand positiveimpactofchosenfamilies,notonlyforLGBTQ+ individualsbutalsoforthosefromdiverseethnic backgroundsandindividualswhohaveexperienced strainedrelationshipswiththeirbirthfamily Theadoption processrecognizesandvaluesthediverseways individualsformmeaningfulconnectionsandfindsupport structuresintheirjourneytowardsbecominglovingand capableparents
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IN CONVERSATION
LewisFitzgerald,HeadteacheratRoathParkPrimarySchool,Cardiff, ontheschool’sinnovativeapproachestopromotingdiversityand inclusion,especiallyconcerningvariedLGBTQ+familystructures.
AsprospectiveLGBTQ+parents,variousaspectsofyourfuturechild'slifemaycauseanxiety,particularlyregarding thepotentialimpactofyourfamilystructureontheiracceptanceinsociety Onespecificareaofworrycouldbe howtheywillbereceivedwithintheschoolenvironment Intheever-evolvinglandscapeofeducation,thequestfor inclusiveanddiverselearningenvironmentsisparamount RoathParkPrimarySchoolinCardiffstandsasabeacon forsuchvalues InaconversationwithLewisFitzgerald,theHeadteacheratRoathPark,wediscusstheschool's innovativeapproachestopromotingdiversityandinclusion,especiallyconcerningvariedLGBTQ+family structures,whicharesharedwithschoolsacrossWales.
Lewisexplains,“atRoathParkPrimarySchool,diversityandinclusionaren'tjustbuzzwords they'rewovenintothe fabricofthecurriculum Regularteachingapproachesandlearningexperiencesaredesignedtoorganicallyexpose studentstotherichtapestryoftheircommunity Lessonsondiversity,inclusion,andfamilystructuresare seamlesslyintegratedintoRelationshipandSexEducation(RSE),citizenship,andPersonal,Social,Health,and Economic(PSHE)classes Real-lifeexamples,suchasphotosofdiversefamilieswithintheschoolcommunity,and inclusivereadingmaterialscreateaholisticunderstandingofdifferentfamilystructures.”
Hetalksabouthownavigatingquestionsorconcernsaboutdifferentfamilystructuresisapriority.“Theschoolhas institutedrobustpolicies,includingthe'PositiveRelationshipsPolicy,''HateCrimePolicy,'and'Learningand TeachingPolicy'Concernsareaddressedthroughthe'ComplaintsPolicy,'underscoringtheleadershipteamand theGoverningBody'scommitmenttorepresentingandrespectingeveryoneinthecommunity,includingLGBTQ+ families Prominentequalitystatementsfurtheremphasisetheschool'sdedicationtorespectingallprotected characteristics."LivingTogether,LearningTogether,GrowingTogether"isn'tjustamottoatRoathPark it'sawayof life.Theschoolactivelychallengespreconceptionsandprejudices,conductingfirst-handresearchandrelyingon factsratherthanopinions.Theleadershipteam,familyengagementofficer,teachers,andsupportstaffcollaborate tocreateagenuinelyinclusivecommunity.Opendiscussionsamongstudentsabouttheirfamiliesserveasa catalystforrichlearningexperiences”
WhileRoathParkPrimarySchoolhasrobustpoliciestoaddressteasingorbullying,Lewisemphasises,“the proactivemeasurestakentopreventsuchincidents Thecomprehensiveapproach,includinganinclusive curriculum,community-buildinginitiatives,andadherencetotheUNICEFConventiononnon-discrimination,aims tocreateanenvironmentwheredifferencesarecelebrated,nottargeted.”RoathParkPrimarySchoolservesasa shiningexampleofacommitmentprimaryschoolsaremakingtofosteringinclusivityandcelebratingdiversityin education.Lewis'sinsightsprovideaglimpseintoanenvironmentwherestudentsarenotonlyeducatedbutalso supportedandembraced,regardlessoftheirfamilystructure
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CRIMINAL& LEGAL
All prospective adoptive parents are required to undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
Even if applicants possess a current and updated DBS, St David's Adoption Service mandates a new check
Consistent with the theme of transparency throughout the early stages of adoption, it is crucial to disclose any past incidents that could appear on a DBS or may pose potential concerns St David's, like many adoption agencies, has a legal advisor on our panel who provides advice criminal or legal matters that may arise
For transgender applicants, the DBS Sensitive Applications Team can assist in navigating the challenges of presenting identity documents. A dedicated member of our team can guide you through the process.
Certain criminal convictions, particularly those involving crimes against children or violent offences, may prevent prospective adopters from progressing in the assessment. However, individuals with past incidents, especially those that occurred a long time ago, are encouraged to contact us for clarification.
Engaging in open conversations with your social worker helps all parties understand the context of these events, the lessons learned, and how they have shaped the person you are today Seeking clarity and discussing the details with us is vital for understanding how past experiences may impact the adoption process
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SOCIETAL PERCEPTIONS
TheexistenceofLGBTQ+parentinghasalwaysbeena partofsociety,althoughithasgainedgreatervisibilityin recenttimes.Societyisprogressivelyevolvingtowards greateracceptance,encouragement,andintegrationofall typesoffamilies
Inthepastcoupleofdecades,therehasbeena noticeableshiftinthevisibilityoftheLGBTQ+community and,morespecifically,LGBTQ+families Outdated stereotypesandperspectivesregardingtheimpactof LGBTQ+individualsparentingchildrenaregradually fadingaway.High-profileLGBTQ+figuressharingtheir parentingexperiencesonsocialmedia,coupledwith academicresearch,contributetodismantlingoldbeliefs.
Anoteworthy2023study,forexample,comparedthe outcomesofchildrenraisedinLGBTQ+familiestothose innon-LGBTQ+familiesinvariousdomains Theresults revealedstrikingsimilarities,withchildrenfromLGBTQ+ familiesevenoutperformingtheirpeersincertainareas likeacademicperformance(Zhangetal,2023)
Whilediscriminationstillexists,theincreasedvisibilityof LGBTQ+familiesischallengingsocietalnorms.StDavid's AdoptionServicehassuccessfullyplacedchildrenwith LGBTQ+familiesacrossbothruralandurbanareasin Wales.Thisdemonstratesourcommitmenttoinclusivity andhighlightsthediverseregionsinwhichwehave successfullymatchedfamilies,offeringabroadand welcomingspectrumofopportunitiesforprospective adopters
SinceApril201929%ofapprovedStDavid’sfamilies haveidentifiedasLGBTQ+,witha UKaverageof1667%
St David'shasobservedthatLGBTQ+adoptersoftendemonstrateagreaterwillingnesstoconsiderplacements perceivedasmorecomplex LGBTQ+familiestendtoembraceahigherproportionofsiblinggroups,children aged4andabove,andthosewithmoreintricateneedsanduncertaintiescomparedtotheirheterosexual counterparts
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IN CONVERSATION
WecatchupwithDamian,oneoftwodadswhoadoptedthroughStDavid's, andaskhimabouttheirjourney.Addressingchallenges,heemphasizes opencommunication,leveragingStDavid'ssupport,andcreatingan inclusiveenvironment.Damian’snarrativeoffersinspirationtoLGBTQ+ individualsconsideringadoption.
Whatmotivatedyoutopursueadoption,andhow didyoudecideitwastherightpathforyourfa consideringyourLGBTQ+identity?
Beingtwodads,theoptionsforustostartafami limited Inmanyways,thishelpedmakethedeci easierforusonhowtogoaboutit,astheoption adoptionorsurrogacy.Ourdecisionwasbasedo things:onethatwewantedtobecompletelyequ parentsandnothaveonebeingbiologicallyrelat theotheronenot,andtwoweknewthereweres manywonderfulchildrenouttherewhoneedafa lovethem,andweknewwehadmorethanenou toshare
Sothatwasit,thedecisionwasmade,adoptionwasthe wayforwardforusandsowereachedoutStDavid’sto introduceourselves
Canyoushareanyuniquechallengesorexperiences youfacedasagayadopterthroughouttheadoption process,andhowdidyounavigatethem?
Therearemomentswhenyouwillhaveself-doubt. Sadly,societydoesnotreflectthestatistics,despite samesexadoptersincreasingyearonyear Parenting asaconstructisstillveryheterosexuallyperceivedbe thatinadvertisingorthemediawhichinfluences people’sbiasofwhatmakesafamily.
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Whenthesemomentsoccur,firstly,theyaretotallynormaland secondlytalkthemthroughwithyoursocialworker StDavid’swork withmanyLGBTQ+adopters,soaremorethanequippedtoanswer yourquestions Theyalsorunabuddyschemewheretheyintroduce youtoothersamesexparentsinasimilarpositiontoyourself.We benefittedmassivelyfromthisasitwasgreattomeetpeoplewhohad livedexperienceandwhowereabletoapplythedaytodayofbeinga samesexparenttothemorehypotheticallearning
HowdidyouapproachdiscussingyourLGBTQ+identitywiththe adoptionagency,andwerethereanyspecificconcernsor questionstheyhadforyou?
Wewerejustveryhonestfromthebeginning,andIthinkthatput everyoneatease Youcan’tadoptifyouaren’tpreparedtobeopen Theassessmentprocessisveryreflectiveofyourselfandyour relationship,andrightlyso Theyareworkingtomatchyouwithachild tobuildaforeverfamily,soit’simportanttogetitright.Themoreopen andcomfortableyouarefromthebeginningthemoreyoucanrelax intoitandfindpocketsofjoythroughout.
Inwhatwayshaveyoucreatedasupportiveandinclusive environmentforyouradoptedchildren,especiallyintermsof understandingandembracingdiversefamilystructures?
Therearesomanyincredibleresourcesouttherenow Wehave severalage-appropriatebookswhichaddresssamesexfamilies,race, andmisogyny ThereisalsogrowingrepresentationonTVandfilm (screen time is not bad – that is a myth and can be a saving grace when you just want to go to the bathroom in peace!) Thisvisibilityhas helpednormaliseallfamilymake-upsandforourchildrentofeelseen andrepresentedinmainstreammedia
It’salsoimportanttobereallyopentoquestions Childrenarenaturally inquisitive,theyareconstantlylearningabouttheworldaroundthem, soletthemaskquestionsandbeconfidentinresponding Ifyoudon’t knowtheanswerit’sOKtosayyoudon’t Nothingsoffthetableand youcanalwaysfindout.
Wearealsogoodfriendswithalotofothersamesexparentswith adoptedchildren,sowe’vecreatedanetworkofsupport,manyofwho wasintroducedtousthroughStDavid’s.
Canyouprovideinsightsintoanypositivemomentsormilestones inyouradoptionjourneythatmayinspireorreassureotherLGBTQ+ individualsconsideringadoption?
Therearemoreofusthanyouthinkwhichbecomessoblaringobvious whenyouareinit
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EMPLOYMENT & MONEY
Stonewall's2017survey,'LGBTBritaininWork,'revealed that18%ofLGBTQ+individualsdonotopenlydiscuss theirsexualityintheworkplace.Additionalresearch indicatesthatuptoaquarterofLGBTQ+youngadults maychoosenottodisclosetheiridentitywhenstartinga newjob(JustLikeUs,2023) Theprocessofapplyingto adoptmayalsopromptunhelpfulandunsolicited questionsfromemployersandcolleagues
StDavid’s,likeallagencies,requestsreferencesfromyour currentemployerandanypreviousemployerwhereyou workedwithchildrenorvulnerableindividuals.Thiscan understandablycauseanxietyaboutyouremployer's learningofyouradoptionplans.However,referencesto currentemployersareusuallyrequestedinStageTwoof theadoptionassessment,(unlessyouworkwithchildren andorvulnerableadults)givingyouampletimeto understandtheprocessmorefullybeforehavinga conversationwiththem TheNationalAdoptionService providesatoolkitforemployers,explaininghowadoption impactstheirbusiness,whichyoucansharewithyour employer Ifyouareself-employed,areferencewillbe soughtfromyouraccountant.
WhiletheUKGovernment'sspecificreportsonLGBTQ+ andunemploymentarepending,a2021reportbythe ScottishLGBTcharity'LGBTHealthandWellbeing'found that66%ofsurveyedindividualshadexperienced unemploymentinthepast.Whileunemploymentisnota barriertoadoption,agenciesneedassurancethatplacing achildwithyouwillnotcauseunduefinancialstress affectingyourparenting Theadoptionprocessisfree withStDavid’s,withoccasionalcostssuchasthe adoptionmedicalandoverseascriminalchecks
Iffinancialconcernsarise,Money.comhasprovideda guidetoLGBTQ+personalfinancesthatmayoffer valuableinsightsandguidance.
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HOUSING
Housingandaccommodationplayasignificantroleinthe adoptionassessmentprocess,withadoptionagencies prioritizingstabilityandsafety TheNationalLGBTSurvey 2018revealedthatLGBTQ+individuals,oftenrejectedby theirfamiliesaftercomingout,faceanincreasedriskof homelessness.Ifyouhaveahistoryofhomelessnessora transientlifestyle,weencouragehonestywithusto facilitateopendiscussions.
Adoptivefamiliescanresideineitherrentedorowned properties.Ifyouareinarental,areferencefromyour landlordwillbesoughttoensureasecuretenancy, minimizingthelikelihoodofrelocatingshortlyafterachild isplaced
Yourhomewillundergoahealthandsafetyassessment conductedbyyoursocialworkertoguaranteeits suitabilityforachild Anyidentifiedissueswillbe promptlydiscussed,providingyouwiththenecessary timetoaddressandcompleteanyrequired improvements Thisensuresthatyourhomeisasecure andwelcomingenvironmentforthechildtobeplacedin
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CONTRIBUTORS
DANIELWARNER
DanisadedicatedSt David'steammember,joiningin2014 aftervaluableexperiencewithanotherfosteringandadoption charity.Passionateaboutcreatinginclusivedialogue,Dan ferventlybelievesinencouragingprospectiveadoptersfrom diversebackgroundstoparticipateactivelyintheadoption conversation Withacommitmenttofosteringawelcomingand supportiveenvironment,DanplaysavitalroleinSt.David's LGBTQ+guidetoadoption,ensuringthateveryonefeels empoweredandinformedontheiradoptionjourney.
SHAUNHOUCKE
Shaun,adevotedadvocateforLGBTQ+adoption,joinedSt David’sin2023.Heandhishusbandadoptedtheirson throughStDavid'sin2020,providinghimwithuniqueinsights intotheadoptionprocess.Committedtomakingapositive impact,Shaunbringsfirst-handexperiencetotheLGBTQ+ community.Hisjourneyinspireshimtocreateaninclusive spacewithinadoption,offeringsupportandguidanceto individualsandcouplesnavigatingthepathtoparenthood. Shaun'sadvocacyanddedicationmakehimavaluable resourceforthoseseekinginformationandconnectionwithin theLGBTQ+adoptioncommunity
SARAHCOLDRICK
SarahColdrick,legaladviserforAFKA,partoftheStDavid’s family,bringsawealthofexperiencetoourLGBTQ+guideto adoption Asanadoptiveparentofthreegrown-upchildren, shewitnessedaremarkableshiftinadoptionagencyattitudes andcourtdynamicsoverthepasttwenty-fiveyears.Sarah's uniqueperspectiveoffersvaluableinsightsintotheevolving adoptionlandscape,providingguidanceandunderstandingfor LGBTQ+individualsnavigatingtheadoptionprocess Her expertiseasbothalegalprofessionalandanadoptiveparent enrichesourguide,fosteringawarenessandsupportforthose embarkingonthetransformativejourneyofadoption.
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CONTACT
StDavid’sAdoptionService 28ParkPlace,CardiffCF103BA
02920667007orinfo@stdavidscs.org
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