“"Adoption can make a lifelong difference to a child. At APSE, children are at the heart of everything we do, and our focus is on finding loving, secure and permanent families that are right for them. The message behind ‘Every Day is Everything’ really reflects what adoptive family life is about. It is not about being perfect or having all the answers. It is about being there, building trust and helping a child feel safe, loved and that they belong. The ordinary moments, sharing meals, reading a bedtime story or doing the school run, can mean so much to a child. We need more people to come forward, particularly those who could consider adopting brothers and sisters and children with additional needs. Adopters come from many different backgrounds, and you do not need to fit a particular mould. If you are over 21 and can offer a child commitment, stability and love, please do not rule yourself out. Get in touch with us, come to an information event and start a conversation, you could be the family a child is waiting for."
Medway Council Urges Residents to Consider Adoption During National Adoption Week
APSE highlights the need for adoptive families, marking 100 years of the Adoption of Children Act and ongoing demand in the South East.
By Natalie Osborne
••3 min read
AI
Generic image of a diverse group of adults considering adoption.
Medway Council, in partnership with Adoption Partnership South East (APSE), is supporting Adoption England’s ‘National Adoption Week 2026’, encouraging more people across Medway to consider adopting a child.
Adoption Partnership South East (APSE), a collaboration between Kent County Council, London Borough of Bexley Council, and Medway Council, aims to find adoptive families for children requiring security, stability, and a sense of belonging. This year's observance is particularly significant as 2026 marks the centenary of the Adoption of Children Act 1926, the foundational legislation for adoption in England and Wales.
The week also promotes the national 'Every Day is Everything' campaign, which celebrates everyday moments that foster a sense of safety, love, and connection for adopted children. Recent analysis indicates a growing demand for adoption services in the South East. In 2025/26, approximately 170 children in the region were awaiting adoptive families, and the number of children with a Placement Order yet to be placed increased by 45% since 2021/22, rising from 220 to 320. Adopter registrations across local authority and regional adoption agencies stood at 390 in 2025/26, though this is 9% lower than in 2021/22.
The campaign emphasises that successful adoption is about consistent presence and support through life's challenges, highlighting the impact of everyday experiences like family meals and bedtime stories on children who have faced early life uncertainty. APSE welcomes enquiries from individuals aged 21 and over, regardless of their marital status, employment, or housing situation. They are particularly seeking adopters for older children, sibling groups, and those with additional needs.
Interested individuals can contact APSE via phone at 03000 422 373 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm), attend an information event, visit www.adoptionpartnershipsoutheast.org.uk, or email adoption.partnership@kent.gov.uk. APSE serves Kent County Council, Medway Council, and the London Borough of Bexley.
Based on information from the official source: Medway Council (21/10/2026)
