Five young children and one group of siblings are waiting to be adopted in Milton Keynes

There are five individual youngsters and one sibling group needing loving adoptive parents, they have revealed.

And applications are welcome from anybody over the age of 21 who feels they can offer a child a stable and loving home.

Last year, Milton Keynes Council launched Adoption Connects, a new adoption service in partnership with Central Bedfordshire.

This year, the dedicated adoption team is aiming to challenge myths and misconceptions about the adoption process and increase understanding about who is eligible to adopt.

A national report has shown that 60 per cent of people in the East of England don't feel like they know about the adoption process, with 35 per cent unsure if they're even eligible to adopt. The report was issued to coincide with National Adoption Week, which runs from 12 - 18 October.

Cllr Zoe Nolan, Cabinet Member for children and families, said: “Across Milton Keyes, we have five children and a sibling group waiting to find their forever family. This report highlights some of the common myths around adoption, and we want to address them so that more children are given the chance of finding a permanent home.

“I think the pandemic has made many people rethink what is important to them. There will be some great adoptive parents out there and we really want to hear from you. Your gender, relationship status, age, ethnicity or religion don’t matter. We want to speak to anyone over the age of 21 who feels they can offer a child a safe, loving and stable home.”

Since its launch, Adoption Connects has supported, trained, and prepared 30 families to become adopters, placing more than 30 children with permanent families. The service has also supported over 100 families with advice and resources.

Adoption Connects offers a wide range of services from free training and e-learning, newsletters, advice and information through to financial support and regular social events. Over the next three months, virtual information sessions will enable potential adoptive parents to find out more about the process and dispel myths.

You can find information about adoption here . And you can contact Adoption Connects by email at [email protected] or by calling 0300 300 8090.