Same-sex couples now account for one in eight adoptions in England.
450 of the 3,820 adoptions in 2018 were by same-sex couples, according to statistics from the Department for Education released yesterday (15 November).
This is a record high for same-sex couples, despite total number of adoptions falling by 30% since 2015.
The number of children in local authority care also reached an all-time high of 75,420.
‘LGBT+ people can bring fantastic parenting skills to their adopted children,’ said Tor Docherty Chief Executive of New Family Social. ‘We’re thrilled to see agencies consistently recognising that LGBT+ people pay a key role in helping transform the lives of our most vulnerable children.’
In 2002, the UK government granted rights for same-sex couples to legally adopt.
It is also one of 14 countries in the world where gay couples can adopt children, according to British LGBTI adoption site Pink Parents.
Same-sex couples adopting on the rise
In 2016, figures of same-sex couples adopting kids in England was at 9.6%.
This was an increase from 8.4% on the preceding year.
Around 11% of adoptions were undertaken by single people, but the sexual orientation of single adopters is not monitored.
Commenting on the findings at the time, Tor Docherty said: ‘Although the total number of adoptions fell in England in 2016 it’s heartening to see that agencies continue to consider and successfully place children for adoption with same-sex couples.
‘It’s key in every adoption case that the needs of the child remain paramount and that agencies consider the full range of potential parents.’
See also:
11 straight celebrity allies who fiercely support gay rights
WATCH: Transgender people encouraged to think about adopting and fostering kids
Read how this military charity helps LGBTI service people adopt kids