Same sex couple welcome a child into their lives through adoption

Renfrewshire residents James and his partner adopted their child over a year ago and have never looked back.

The couple started their adoption journey in 2017 with an enquiry to Renfrewshire Council’s adoption team. In November 2022, they met their child for the first time, aged 17 months old. In June 2023, they formally adopted their child.

James said: “Our child was seventeen months when they moved in with us and they’re now almost three and a half (half years are so important to toddlers). We’ve seen them grow so much since we first met them and it feels like they’ve always been part of our lives.” 

Renfrewshire has many LGBTQ+ people who have adopted or fostered children. During LGBTQ+ Adoption and Fostering Week, the Council are urging more people to come forward and offer children the love, care and respect they need.

James added: “We’ve been supported by the Council throughout the whole process. The social work team have always been a phone call, text or email away and now it feels really nice to catch up with our social worker. The process involved lots of in-depth questions, reflections and discussions, but our social worker always carried it out in the most professional, supportive way. 

“We’ve also had the support of the most amazing foster carers and their family who have become our close family friends and an aunt and uncle to little one. We regularly catch up with them and we will continue to do so in the future, since doing so is so important for our little one. 

“We’re at a stage now, where we don’t need to have any social work involvement, but it’s nice to go to the monthly adoption support group. It’s great to meet others who have been in the same situation, and it also allows our little one to meet other children who have been adopted.” 

Renfrewshire Council is committed to keeping brothers and sisters together through adoption and fostering. People who can adopt or foster brothers and sisters are encouraged to get in touch.

Anyone has the potential to adopt or become a foster carer if they are over 21, have space in their home for a child, and are in good health.

Interested people can email childrenandfamilies@renfrewshire.gov.uk or call 0300 300 1199 to start their journey.

For information on adopting with Renfrewshire Council, visiting the Council’s website.