We're supporting National Adoption Week campaign to bust misconceptions
Thursday, 23 October 2025
We’re backing National Adoption Week (20–25 Oct) to bust myths around adoption, as 12% fewer families have registered to adopt compared to last year.
In Central Bedfordshire, 7 children are waiting to be adopted, one of whom has been waiting over 2 years to find an adoptive family. Within these figures are siblings looking for a family where they can stay together.
A new survey by You Can Adopt reveals that nearly 9 in 10 adoptive parents surveyed (86%) were worried they needed a 'perfect home' to pass the adoption assessment process.
However, the reality is far more modest – with just over two fifths (41%) of adoptive parents surveyed living in a house with 2 bedrooms or fewer, two thirds (65%) not having a garden and a quarter living in rented accommodation (25%).
Councillor Steve Owen, our Executive Member for Children’s Services, said:
Adoption is about offering love, stability, and a sense of belonging – not about having the biggest house or the perfect setup. What matters most is the ability to provide care, warmth, security, so a child can feel safe and thrive. Children waiting for adoption need families who can offer love, commitment and the right support, not perfection.
Every child deserves the chance to grow up feeling secure and valued, and there are children here in our community waiting for that opportunity. If you can offer a child a caring home and a future full of possibility, then adoption could be the right path for you.
Adoption Connects, our partnership with Milton Keynes Council, is hosting an adoption information event on 6 November 2025 from 4:30pm to 6pm at our head office in Priory House, Shefford. It will provide information to help families who are considering expanding by adopting a child.
Visit Adoption Connects to learn more about adoption and access support.