LGBT+ couple share “incredible experience” of adopting sibling group

Published: 4 March 2024

As part of LGBT+ Fostering and Adoption Week, Sarah and Elizabeth, who adopted with Adoption East Midlands, have shared their experience of adoption as a same sex couple, calling it “the best thing we ever did”.

The couple praised the whole process and the support they received from Adoption East Midlands.

LGBT+ Adoption & Fostering Week is a campaign led by New Family Social seeking to dispel myths around eligibility and promote support for LGBT+ people considering these routes to parenting and caring. This year’s theme is ‘Different Together’, which relates to both people from LGBT+ and global majority communities. Derby City Council and Adoption East Midlands welcome LGBT+ individuals and couples from any ethnic background.

In both fostering and adoption, there’s always a need for homes where sibling groups can remain together. Sarah and Elizabeth adopted siblings two years ago.

Elizabeth said:

Being two mums, we got the question of what you’re going to be called. And I was going to be called Mummy and she was going to be called Mum. And then they created, on their own, Tall Mum and Short Mum and that’s who we are now. The fact that we’re two mums instead of a mum and a dad comes with a different set of restrictions. You have to find mum and mum books instead.”

Sarah said:

One of the biggest things that that we looked out for was that we were looking for a sibling group. There are so many siblings out there that need to have a home together.

It's a huge task to take on but I think once that chaos and that blur kind of clears a little bit after the first six weeks and you're just like, this is amazing. There's two little people running around this house.

Our house fit two. Our lives fit two perfectly. And the two that chose us, we chose, merged with, came as a unit and they are precious together. If you have the space, not just in in your home, in your heart, in your mind, if you know that you can do it, go for it.”

Councillor John Whitby, Cabinet Member for Children’s social care, learning and skills at Derby City Council, said:

In Derby, we have a fantastic group of foster carers who are making a monumental difference to the lives of vulnerable young people. However, we still need more people who have room in their hearts and homes to become foster carers in Derby.

We are open to hear from people from all sorts of backgrounds including LGBT+. All we ask is that you are over 21 years old and have the room and time to help a foster child. If you have ever thought about fostering, please get in touch with our friendly fostering team who will be able to answer any questions you have and possibly get you started on your fostering journey.”

To get in touch with the Derby City Council fostering team you can visit our webpage, call 01332 640880, email fostering@derby.gov.uk or text 07774 333412. You can also come along to one of our free fostering information events which are held both online and in person at Derby City Council House.

Adoption East Midlands is a therapeutic and trauma-informed agency with a specialist adoption support service, including a multi-disciplinary team. There is a need to find permanent homes for around 150 children. If you, or someone you know, is thinking about adopting, enquiring with Adoption East Midlands is the first step to what could be a life changing journey. Find out more about adopting with Adoption East Midlands by visiting their webpage, follow Adoption East Midlands on social media, or speak to a friendly member of the team on 0115 804 4567.

Children, Community, Young people