Open day to encourage people to foster or adopt (From Wharfedale Observer)

Open day to encourage people to foster or adopt

3:31pm Thursday 28th February 2013 in Local news

Gay and lesbian people are being encouraged to foster or adopt to help meet an urgent need for new homes for children in care.

Leeds City Council says lesbian and gay people have a key role to play at a time when adoption figures are at a ten-year low.

Now it has organised a special open day to help them learn about fostering and adoption.

The open day, which is being held on Tuesday, March 5, from 7pm to 8.30pm at South Leeds City Learning Centre, Gipsy Lane, follows the first open day last year.

That resulted in a number of enquiries, with successful applicants who are now fostering and some who have been approved to adopt.

Councillor Judith Blake, executive member responsible for children’s services said: “Over the years, our lesbian and gay foster carers and adopters have made a tremendous contribution towards helping the city provide supportive homes for children and young people.

“We welcome more applications from all potential foster carers and adopters regardless of their sexuality, religion or marital status. The main thing is that you are able to give children and young people the care and support they need to be happy and fulfilled.”

To find out more about fostering for Leeds City Council visit foster4leeds.co.uk or ring 0113 24 77 44 3.

Go to adopt4leeds.gov.uk to find out more about adopting.