The Mockingbird programme aims to better support our foster carers and young people in care by creating an extended family-style support system.
The model has the potential to improve placement stability, safety and permanency for children and young people.
It also improves the support that is available for foster carers.
Mockingbird has been shown to have significant benefits for all involved.
It really helps to normalise foster care, so we are incredibly proud to introduce this programme into our service.
How Mockingbird works
The innovative Mockingbird model brings together up to ten satellite foster families to form a constellation. At the heart of each constellation is a hub home where a specially recruited and trained foster carer supports all carers within the constellation.
This support provided could include:
- monthly social events for families, providing peer interaction and support for caregivers, children and young people
- unlimited access to social support and mentoring for satellite carers
- planned and emergency respite care 24/7, including day care and overnight stays
- help to navigate the system and access community resources
This creates a community of foster carers and young people in care who have regular contact with each other, helping everyone involved to build new networks and relationships.
Why we are taking part
The aims of the Mockingbird model are to improve placement stability for children in care, prioritise sibling connections, promote active child protection, support permanence and improve the support provided to foster carers.
This means that foster carers are more likely to have reduced feelings of isolation and continue to foster for years to come.
The global impact of the programme has seen improved:
- placement stability
- experience of peer support
- sibling contact
- experience of birth family contact
- process and experience of respite care
- skills, confidence and role satisfaction for foster carers
- levels of carer retention and recruitment
Our networks of strong and authentic relationships can replicate the support offered by an extended family. With robust and resilient structures, we are able to support children, young people and fostering families through times of crisis and transition.
Get in touch
Our team of fostering experts are always on hand to help. Speak to our fostering hub co-ordinators to find out more about our innovative Mockingbird model that supports our foster carers every step of the way.