A Greater Manchester council is asking for more LGBT+ people to come forward and talk about fostering children.
As part of Pride Month, Bury Council is trying to dispel the "myth that members of the LGBT+ community cannot foster".
The authority currently looks after 350 children who live in around 71 different households but it is hoped that more space can be offered if councillors appeal to people that are not straight and might not have considered being involved.
Coun Tamoor Tariq, cabinet member for children, young people and skills in Bury, said: “There is no typical foster carer, just as there is not a typical foster child.
"There is diversity in children in foster care, so it is also important to have diversity in the foster carer community.
“We welcome applications from people of any sexuality, race or religion.
"Your sexual orientation does not affect your ability to foster a child, you don’t have to be married, in a civil partnership or have a partner either and we have lots of excellent single foster carers.
"The most important thing is that you can open your hearts and your homes to support a child who may have not had the best start in life and give them a loving, safe environment.”
In order to be eligible to foster you must be over 21 years old, be a full-time resident in the UK or have leave to remain and have a spare bedroom.
Race, gender, sexuality, living arrangements, age and employment status are not part of the prerequisite details.
To find out more about fostering with Foster with Bury, who can foster and the different types of fostering opportunities available, call 0800 9555 311 or visit www.fosterwithbury.co.uk.
