LGBT fostering and adoption applications

The answers below are for the last 3 completed financial years, 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18.  The figures are for each application which could have been made either by a single person or by a couple.

“How many couples/individuals applied to adopt?

The total number of applications are:

2015-16 74
2016-17 43
2017-18 46

Note – this is the number of returned Registration of Interest (ROI) forms (not people who made an enquiry but then did not complete an ROI form).  The forms could be for single adopter or a couple.

How many LGBT couples/individuals applied to adopt?

The total number of LGBT applications for each of the last three financial years cannot be released under Section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 – ‘Personal Information’.  This is because release of these figures could lead to the identification of the individual(s) concerned which would breach the principles of the Data Protection Act 2018.

How many couples/individuals were approved for adoption?

The number of applications (either by a single person or a couple) which have been approved for adoption are:

  Total Applications (couples and individuals)
2015-16 37
2016-17 37
2017-18 29

How many LGBT couples/individuals were approved for adoption?

The number of LGBT applications (either by a single person or a couple) which have been approved for adoption in this year are (note they could have applied within the previous year):

Total
2015-16 6
2016-17 *
2017-18 *

 * These numbers have been redacted under Section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 – ‘Personal Information’, because release of these figures could lead to the identification of the individual(s) concerned which would breach the principles of the Data Protection Act 2018.

How many couples/individuals went on to adopt a child?

The number of applications (either by a single person or a couple) who successfully adopted a child are:-

  Total
2015-16 39
2016-17 30
2017-18 37

How many LGBT couples/individuals went on to adopt a child?

The number of LGBT applications (either by a single person or a couple) who successfully adopted a child are:-

Total
2015-16 6
2016-17 *
2017-18 *

* These numbers have been redacted under Section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 – ‘Personal Information’, because release of these figures could lead to the identification of the individual(s) concerned which would breach the principles of the Data Protection Act 2018.

What was the average wait time for approved applicants to have a child placed with them?

The average wait time for an application being approved to adopt to then having a child placed with them is:

2015-16 294 days
2016-17 276 days
2017-18 295 days

To calculate the above, the dates when a child is “Placed for Adoption” with the adopter(s) – i.e. the Placement Order has been obtained (if required) and the date the Adoption Decision Maker has formally agreed to the match are the ones that have been used.  It should be noted that some children may have started living with the adopter(s) under “Fostering For Adoption” prior to this date.

What was the average wait time for approved LGBT applicants to have a child placed with them?

The average wait time for an application being approved to adopt to then having a child placed for LGBT applicants is provided below:-

2015-16 171 days
2016-17 347 days
2017-18 578 days

As previously, the dates used are the “Placed for Adoption” dates as opposed to dates child moved in under Fostering For Adoption. The LGBT+ community plays a significant role in the adoption world. As Devon Adoption becomes part of the Adopt South West Regional Adoption Agency, we will look to develop and improve the services we offer to LGBT+ children and adopters. Our new Adopt South West adoption teams have undertaken training from New Family Social, who specialise in this area, and we are looking to extend our work with them over the coming year.

What was the average age of approved applicants who had a child placed with them?

The average age of all adopters (looking at all individual adopters) is:

2015-16 40 years
2016-17 39 years
2017-18 39 years

What was the average age of approved LGBT applicants who had a child placed with them?” 

The average age of LGBT adopters (looking at all individual LGBT adopters) is:

2015-16 36 years
2016-17 37 years
2017-18 39 years