With the shortage of adopters and foster carers across the UK, leading charities believe the shortfall could be met if two per cent of LGBT people chose to adopt or foster.

The council recruits and assesses carers from a range of backgrounds with the same sensitivity and consideration in each case; this includes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual couples or single carers. We have recruited excellent LGBT carers from the North East Lincolnshire community, both adopters and foster carers, who provide fantastic care for our looked after children.

Sarah is 15 years old and came to the notice of Children’s Services and the Police as she was frequently being reported as missing and disappearing for days at a time. It was discovered that Sarah’s only carer, her mother, was heavily misusing drugs and was unable to maintain routines and boundaries for Sarah and frequently did not know where she was or what she was doing. Sarah was also found to be meeting with older males and receiving texts from a number males that were inappropriate. Sarah was at high risk of harm and her mother was unable to protect her.

Sarah requires a foster carer who has the sensitivity regarding Sarah’s situation and the ability to provide time and patience to support Sarah in understanding the risk to herself and building her self-esteem and improving her behaviours. Sarah is a lovely young women with the potential of doing well in her GCSE’s if she had the opportunity of a safe and nurturing home with a carer who is able to provide appropriate advice and care.

Come along to our information events to find out more:

• Tesco community room, Cleethorpes, Tuesday 3 March between 1:00pm and 3:00pm
• Riverhead exchange meeting room, Grimsby, Wednesday 4 March between 12:00pm and 8:00pm

Or contact us in the following ways:

• Web: nelincs.gov.uk/fostering www.nelincs.gov.uk/adoption
• Tel: (01472) 326292 option 2
• Twitter: @fosteradoptnel