During LGBTQ+ Adoption and Fostering Week, 3 to 10 March, Knowsley Council – as part of the regional adoption agency for Merseyside (AiM) – is appealing for people from the LGBTQ+ community who may have been considering adoption to find out more and get in contact.
AiM welcomes potential adopters from all backgrounds, as long as you can provide a loving, safe and secure home the likelihood is you can adopt.
More than a third of adopters approved by Adoption in Merseyside (AiM) in 2024 (35%) were same-sex couples, a figure which is well above the national average.
In AiM’s experience many LGBTQ+ adopters find that as well as providing a loving and nurturing home, they are able to offer a unique level of empathy and support due to their own life experience and barriers they may have had to overcome.
Helping a child understand their identity is another important part of adoption and many LGBTQ+ adoptive parents understand the importance of identity and are able to support their child through this important stage of development.
LGBTQ+ individuals and couples often come from communities which place a strong emphasis on ‘chosen family’ a notion that can help adoptive children understand family is about love, trust and support. That ready network of supportive friends, allies, and mentors can also help provide additional love and support.
Sam and Lyndsay’s story
Sam and Lyndsay were eager to grow their family and explored different options before deciding to attend an AiM information session. Sam explains:
“We valued the idea of having local after-adoption support, and it felt like the right agency for us.
“Our experience was so positive that we chose to adopt again.”
She added:
“Watching the boys grow up together is such a beautiful experience. Our eldest has been incredibly accepting. He proudly introduces his little brother and is very protective of him.”
“Being a parent is chaotic, but also fun. The happiness we get from the chaos is immense. The children are very different, with unique needs. We no longer have lazy Sundays—there are laughs, tears, and tantrums—but at the end of the day, when we reflect on all we’ve done, we realise we’ve created lifelong memories.”
Sam’s advice for those considering adoption:
“Be open to learning—adoption has evolved and continues to do so. Parenting is hard work, so take care of yourself, and make sure you have a strong support network around you.”
Want to find out more?
AiM recruits adopters for local authorities in Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral and is keen to dispel any myths that gender or sexual orientation could prevent potential adopters from giving a child or sibling group a loving, forever home.
If you’d like to find out more about what adoption could mean for you please register for AiM’s next online information session on Thursday 13 March at 6pm where you’ll be able to find out more about adoption from the friendly team. You will also hear from an adopter who will share their story and answer any of your questions.