MORE people from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community are encouraged to become adoptive parents as new figures reveal that just 12 couples have adopted children in the county since 2009.

This week is the second annual LGBT Adoption and Fostering Week and it is organised by New Family Social, a national charity run by LGBT adopters and foster carers for families and families-to-be.

Suffolk County Council is encouraging people to find out more information about how to become an adoptive or foster parent.

In 2010/11 one LGBT couple in Suffolk adopted a child and this rose to three couples in 2011/12. The county council also place children with LGBT couples outside the county and since 2009/10 eight couples have adopted children.

Andy Leary-May, director of New Family Social, said: “Some people are still put off by fears that they won’t be welcomed by agencies, but things are changing. It’s clear to see how well children in LGBT families are doing, and what a positive and rewarding choice fostering and adoption can be.”

Graham Newman, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for education and young people, said: “It’s important that Suffolk County Council recruits adopters and foster carers from all walks of life to provide much needed homes for Suffolk’s vulnerable children. We’re supporting this year’s campaign in an effort to encourage more people from the LGBT community to come forward and consider this life changing opportunity.

“Over the last few years, Suffolk’s adoption agency has approved and successfully placed children with gay and lesbian adopters, and we hope this year’s campaign will encourage more people to come forward.”

The aim of LGBT Adoption and Fostering Week is to reach potential adoptive parents and foster carers with information about how to get involved.

To find out more about Adoption and Fostering in Suffolk call our Adoption Agency on 0800 389 9417 or Fostering Service on 0800 328 2148 or visit www.suffolkadoption.com or www.suffolkfostering.com