Three cheers for Mockingbird

We’re celebrating the launch of not one, not two but three Mockingbird programmes in Cheshire and Merseyside this month.

In the past week, Halton and Liverpool councils have successfully introduced the Mockingbird model to their fostering services. By the end of the month Cheshire West and Chester Council will have too.

This extra layer of support is a huge benefit to Foster Carers and the children and young people in their care.

The Mockingbird Family Model is an alternative way to provide foster care involves Foster Carers being part of a group called a “Constellation”.

Constellations are supported by one central fostering family, called the “Hub Home” and the other fostering families in the group are called “Satellite families”.

Everyone in the Constellation is supported by their respective council fostering services overall.

The aim of this model is to provide a large support network, like an extended family.

What is Mockingbird?

Led by The Fostering Network, Mockingbird is an award-winning programme based on the concept of extended family.

The model nurtures relationships between children, young people and foster families through peer support, social events, sleepovers and support groups from – in the same way Nans, Grandads, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins play huge part in childhoods.

With a “Hub Home” at the centre, the Mockingbird programme has huge flexibility to support children and young people at all stages of their journey through care.

Immediate practical support for Foster Carers is one of the many benefits of this programme along with stability for cared for children and young people.

Donna and Allan are Halton’s first “Hub Home” Foster Carers, they will be at the centre of the first ever Mockingbird Constellation in Halton, recently named “The Robins” and offering support to 8 other “Satellite Families”.

Donna and Allan said: “We can’t wait to get stuck in. We’ve already had some great get togethers with the other fostering families in the constellation, so it is really special for us to be the place that children and other carers will come when they need relief, advice or even just a catch up”

How is a Hub Home chosen?

Every Hub Home carer should be experienced and skilled, with a passion for creating a community.

Hub Home carers are trained by Mockingbird trainers from The Fostering Network.

Hub Homes are required to have two beds available for young people in their Constellation to make use of.

Feeling inspired? Enquire today. We’d love to hear from you.