Adopt Coast to Coast launches campaign to recruit LGBTQIA+ adopters

Adopt Coast to Coast – the Regional Adoption Agency for Durham County Council and Together for Children (Sunderland City Council) – has launched a new campaign encouraging members of the LGBTQIA+ community to consider adoption as a route to becoming a family.

The campaign aims to dispel misconceptions and reassure members of the community that Adopt Coast to Coast welcomes enquiries from same sex couples and LGBTQIA+ single adopters.

Adopt Coast to Coast, which recently celebrated its third year, welcomes applications from all walks of life. The team recently attended Durham Pride and will once again be hosting stalls at events in Sunderland during Pride. The team will be available to meet members of the community to talk to them about adoption and provide advice and support on how to apply, what to expect during the application process and the support available both before and after adoption.

Steven and Robbie adopted through Adopt Coast to Coast in 2020, adopting a baby boy through Early Permanence. Early Permanence is a route to adoption that allows a child to be cared for by approved adopters who would foster the child as early permanence carers in the first instance while a plan for the child’s future is still to be agreed by the courts. Should a plan of adoption be approved, the prospective adopter can legally adopt the child.

Steven said: “Early permanence wasn’t our first decision. We made that decision when we were going through the process. We thought ‘why wouldn’t we do it?’ Even if it didn’t work out and the baby went back to live with their birth family, we would have given that baby the best start in life.”

Steven and Robbie went on to adopt Josh* having cared for him initially as foster carers. They recently went through the adoption process again with Adopt Coast to Coast as second time adopters, adopting a baby girl, Samantha* in 2023.

Steven added: “I’d recommend adoption to everyone. I always say the initial phone call is hardest. There’s always an element of doubt but no one wants to you to fail, they want to help you and want what is best for the child. The social worker will work with you and your family to help you through the process.

“There are two things you need to go into this process and that’s honesty and open mindedness. We went through the process of adoption not knowing what to expect but it ended up bringing us closer as a couple. We had conversations during this time that we probably would never have had otherwise. It helped us to understand each other’s upbringing and realise why we are like we are.  It can be a tough process but also a good process.”

Adopt Coast to Coast will be at Sunderland Pride’s family picnic on Sunday 9 June and their concert on 29 June, both taking place in Sunniside Gardens, West Sunniside. Those who are planning to attend these events and are interested in adoption are encouraged to speak to the team who can provide information and advice on adopting with Adopt Coast to Coast.

Paula Gibbons, Head of Service for Adopt Coast to Coast said “Research tells us that many of those from the LGBTQIA+ community are unaware that they are eligible to adopt. Here at Adopt Coast to Coast, we are trying to dispel these misconceptions by encouraging anyone from this community who has considered adoption to apply. In the last three years alone approximately 20 percent of our adopters have been from same sex couples, which is in-line with the national average of around 1 in 5, and we are keen to recruit adopters from all walks of life and support them from the enquiry stage right through to providing ongoing support once a new family is formed.

“Our focus on adoption is about finding safe, loving, and secure homes for children in need as soon as possible so children can make secure attachments. By attending Pride events we hope to encourage anyone who is interested in adoption to find out more – whether you’re single, married, in a civil partnership or living together, we’re here to support you and offer advice on your individual situation.”

The Adopt Coast to Coast partnership allows the two local authorities to work together to speed up the adoption process for prospective adopters and to find the best match for the babies and children from across Durham and Sunderland.