Mockingbird Foster carers
Our Mockingbird Family Model
In October 2022, Stoke-on-Trent City Council introduced the Mockingbird Family Model into our Fostering Service. This innovative approach to foster care operates like an extended family.
The Mockingbird Constellation provides a strong support network for foster carers and the children in their care. This includes:
- Sleepovers: Offering respite and a change of scenery for children.
- Peer support: Connecting carers with others who understand their experiences.
- Training: Equipping carers with enhanced skills and knowledge.
- Social activities: Building relationships and a sense of community.
This programme significantly improves the stability of fostering placements and strengthens the vital relationships between carers, children and young people, our fostering services, and birth families.
How our Mockingbird Model works
The Mockingbird Model is built around a "constellation". At its heart is one central foster home, acting as a "hub." This hub provides planned and emergency sleepovers, advice, training, and support for six to ten other fostering families, known as "satellite carers."
For the past two and a half years, this model has been incredibly successful. It has helped us:
- Stabilise foster placements for children.
- Increase support for our dedicated foster carers.
- Improve foster carer retention, meaning more consistent care.
Ultimately, this creates a caring community that truly mirrors an extended family for the children in our care and the amazing families who foster them.
How it works
The Mockingbird Model creates a strong support network, just like an extended family.
Here's what you can expect:
Regular get-togethers
Every month, carers and pre-school children gather at the hub home for a coffee morning. This is a great opportunity to catch up, share advice, and build relationships within the group. We also have monthly activity days for all carers and children to have fun together. These events help children form bonds with each other and with the hub carers.
Flexible support
Once children feel comfortable with the hub carers, they can visit the hub home for daycare or planned sleepovers, just like they would with other family members. Hub carers can also offer unplanned or emergency support, providing consistency for children during difficult times. Plus, all families in the constellation receive tailored one-on-one support by phone or in person.
Building a community
The constellation empowers families to support each other and tackle challenges before they become bigger problems. It also gives children a more positive experience of care through a wider network of trusted adults. To make this work, we ask that all carers actively participate in regular social activities and coffee mornings and be open to building relationships with other carers and the hub carers.
What carers in the Mockingbird say
“I would not be able to foster as well as I have over the past 2 years without this support”
“My family and foster children enjoy all the activities, I like that they are varied for each age group” and there is “support from the other carers and being able to offload on others who have similar challenges”
“I love the community building of the mockingbird”
The hub Carers are “always available to offer advice, provide resources, and lend a sympathetic ear whenever needed”
The mockingbird “helps us to have some time to do normal things as a couple at times when the child wouldn’t cope in certain environments or situations”
We have “made new friends”
“We enjoy the family days out and coffee mornings”
“The whole group is very beneficial to us”
“I personally feel very appreciative to be with the Mockingbird group”