The Mockingbird Family model
The Mockingbird Family Model
Introducing a new way to support foster carers and our children and young people
Mockingbird helps to build relationships between children, young people and foster families. It supports them to build a resilient and caring community through a community of six to 10 families (called a constellation), led by an experienced and knowledgeable foster carer (Called a hub home carer). It is a global award winning and pioneering programme led by The Fostering Network and has had some great outcomes.
How it helps foster carers
It provides foster carers with support from their peers, in a non-judgemental way. They get help and support that improves their wellbeing, role satisfaction, retention, and, most importantly, placement stability. They can call on each other when they need help and have access to 24-hour support in a crisis. This approach strengthens relationships between foster carers and their children, through shared activities, and improves social networks for everyone.
The difference it makes to children and young people
Being part of a wider community, children and young people in care report being less isolated and helps them to make friends. They have a greater sense of belonging because of an increased number of fostering families who they get to know within their local area. It can also result in fewer disruptions for children and young people and fewer carers resigning which provides more stability and better long-term outcomes.
Through this approach we also try to support children and young people to stay close to their friends and families, and wherever possible, to help them stay within fostering families when previously they may have ended up in a residential care placement that did not meet their needs.
Find out more
There is lots of information about the Mockingbird Family Model on the Fostering Network website. Take a look at this animation, Mockingbird - a realy big family, to discover what children say about the model.