PowerPoint Presentation

Introducing New Family SocialStarted in 2007Run by LGBT adopters and foster carers700 households1400 members

New Family Social is the UK charity for LGBT adopters and foster carers, and we would like to thank you for coming to this event as part of the first LGBT Adoption and Fostering Week.

A little history: Lesbian and gay people have been adopting (and becoming foster carers) for many years, as individuals. A change came in 2006allowing unmarried couples, including same-sexcouples, to adopt jointlyin England and Wales.

Soon after this change, a group of lesbian and gay adopters decided to get together to:Help gay adopters to find each other and share supportGive others the confidence to consider adoption

New Family Socials membership now includes foster carers and transgender adopters and carers. We have over 700 families and families-to-be from all over the UK, and we are proud of the diversity of our members.

Help support NFS New Family Social created and organised LGBT Adoption & Fostering Week, and as part of the campaign we are raising money to improve our members online area. We are a small charity, and every pound helps. If you would like to support us, please follow the link below!

Links:NFS website: newfamilysocial.co.ukDonate to NFS: tinyurl.com/7u9hra8

1Sharing supportStarting outIn the processFor children

NFS provides a support network for people at all stages of their adoption or fostering journeys. Being part of a support network can help in many ways, including:

For prospective adopters and foster carers - a chance to talk to others who are further on in their journey, for advice and encouragement.

While you are going through the process you can share your ups and downs with others. It can be a bumpy ride, and is much easier when you do it with friends.

For your future children making friends with other children with similar families is an important boost to their confidence and resilience.

All of this happens both online, and at our informal regional meet-ups all over the UK.

Our national events include a 4 day family camp, with over 300 people from our group attending last year. This year we are launching residential breaks for the older children in our families, giving them a chance to build their confidence and skills together, while having fun.

Links:Joining NFS: tinyurl.com/6ulczwlNFS Summer camp: tinyurl.com/35yvpvn 2Working with agenciesEncouraging more adopters & foster carersHelping with assessment & matching

As well as being a support network, NFS helps agencies with recruiting more LGBT adopters and foster carers, and with the assessment and matching process. It hasnt always been the case, but today there is a real confidence from agencies in placing children with us. Our life experiences and the route we take to adoption of fostering often equip us very well for the job in hand. Some of these strengths have been highlighted by social workers in a recent adoption survey. They include:

Coming to adoption as a first choice, with energy and enthusiasm Openness to contact with the birth family, and other differences adoption bringsThe stability of lesbian and gay relationships and our ability to work together as couplesOur ability to support a child growing up with a sense of difference

Some practitioners and panel members do still have reservations about placing children with LGBT people. This can cause frustration and delay, and NFS is working to reduce this by sharing reassurance and evidence with those who need it.

Links:The survey above, and other research: tinyurl.com/76jry4k

3Joining NFSYou can learn a lot from others!We are there when you need us

You can join New Family Social now, to start learning from the experiences of others. Go to the join-us page on our website and follow the instructions.

Some agencies fund membership of New Family Social for their adopters and foster carers, but you can also pay for your own membership.

You will be able to use the online forum to ask advice of others, and read previous discussions.

When you start the adoption or fostering process you can become a confirmed member. This means you can use additional forums, and can find out more about other members near you. Once you are approved and looking for a match with the right child or children, you will be given access to childrens profiles in our family finding section.

If you are transgender you may be looking for specific advice, you will be able to connect with a small number of other trans members in a private forum, in addition to the main forum.

Links:To join NFS: tinyurl.com/2wvao7dFeedback from our members: tinyurl.com/6syxx54Agencies which provide membership of NFS: tinyurl.com/24e36jm

4Further sources of informationBlogsBooksOther organisationsContact us

A selection of blogs from our members, sharing their adoption & fostering journeys:tinyurl.com/6peegkd

Features from our website, including a range of interviews and case-studies:tinyurl.com/6p5ce3b

Browse our bookshop (look out for Pink Guide to Adoption and Becoming Dads):tinyurl.com/856zosr

An interview with a trans adopter:tinyurl.com/77wsepr

The British Association of Adoption & Fostering (BAAF):baaf.org.uk

Adoption UK:adoptionuk.org

The Fostering Network:fostering.net

You can call New Family Social on 0843 2899457 or e-mail enquiries@newfamilysocial.co.uk5