OLDHAM-based Safehouses Fostering is calling on the region’s LGBT+ community to consider fostering.

The organisation's research highlights stark misconceptions about who can foster which could be impacting foster care recruitment.

The number of children in need of care in the UK has risen by 57 per cent during the coronavirus pandemic, yet common misconceptions that sexual orientation and identity prevents LGBT+ individuals from fostering remain, Safehouses says.

Research conducted by Safehouses - part of the Five Rivers social enterprise family - which is based in Denshaw but operates across the surrounding areas, shows 55 per cent of people in the North West of England are unaware that same sex couples or those from the LGBT+ community are eligible to foster

LGBT+ History Month in February aims to promote the visibility of the LGBT+ community throughout society.

Wayne Brown, fostering service manager at Safehouses, said: “With more and more children and young people entering the care system across Oldham, we want to challenge any misconceptions that prevent people from considering fostering.

“One’s gender, sexuality, religion or ethnicity does not stop them from fostering. Some of our most amazing foster carers are from the LGBT+ community and are enriching children and young people’s lives every day. It’s also extremely important to us that we have foster carers from all backgrounds to reflect the diversity of those youngsters in the care system.

“Whether you’re thinking of a career change or you have been recently made redundant as a result of the pandemic, fostering has the ability to change the life of a child or young person that otherwise might not have a family, or a place to call home.

“Safehouses Fostering’s foster carers receive a high level of training to provide a safe and loving home for a child or young person in care, and we offer a robust programme of e-learning and bespoke training for specialist fostering, as well as round the clock access to support.”

Safehouses Fostering is looking for foster cares who can provide a safe and stable home for those in need. Prospective foster carers must be interested in making a positive difference to the lives of children and young people in care, be over the age of 21 and have a spare furnished room for each child. Single people, co-habiting couples, LGBT+ couples and those living in rented accommodation have the opportunity to become foster carers.

For more information on Safehouses Fostering, visit https://safehousesfostering.org.uk/ , call the enquiries team on 01457 829 111 or email contact@safehousesfostering.org.uk .