Barnardo's challenges prejudice against gay parents

The research also found that just 3.75 per cent of children adopted in England in 2010 were adopted by same sex couples.

Barnardo’s chief executive Anne Marie Carrie argued that children in the care system are continuing to lose out on potential parents because of "a disturbing and prevalent belief system".

"Society’s attitude plays a pivotal role in discouraging people from considering adoption," she said. "The idea that gay parents are second best must be challenged. To suggest that a same-sex couple is not as able to raise a child as a heterosexual couple is at once absurd and unsubstantiated."

"To continue to discourage potential adopters simply because of their sexual orientation is severely diminishing the chances of securing loving, stable homes for the children who are waiting. This debate needs to be urgently raised and myths surrounding how sexuality, race, marital status and gender can affect your parenting dispelled."