Programme that creates extended family for cared for children and foster carers expands in Sunderland
Monday 21 February 2022
The Mockingbird Programme - a sustainable, evidence-based foster care model that's structured around the support and relationships that an extended family offers - has expanded in Sunderland, offering greater social support for foster carers and the children and young people they care for.
Together for Children, which delivers children's services on behalf of Sunderland City Council, first launched Mockingbird in May 2021.
The first constellation - a group of six to ten foster families which are part of a community of carers and young people - has gone from strength from strength over the past nine months, meaning a second constellation can now be launched.
Supported by a Liaison Worker - a member of Together for Children's fostering team - each constellation offers vital peer support and guidance, alongside social activities and sleepovers for children and young people, which strengthens relationships and permanence of foster homes.
The first constellation was led by Hub Home Carers, Lesley and Anth, experienced foster carers of over seven years, who are at the centre of the network and provide coordinated support to the foster carers and families in their extended family network.
Lesley told us: "Being part of mockingbird as the Hub Home has given Anth and I the opportunity to develop a fostering family. In turn, this has allowed us to meet children, young people and carers that we would not normally have had the opportunity to meet. Our group has slowly grown in confidence and has shared skills, opinions and knowledge amongst each other. You will always find that there will be someone who has been there or dealt with a situation. We both feel so lucky to have this opportunity and look forward to continuing to grow and develop a positive future for everyone involved."
The Mockingbird model nurtures the relationships between children, young people and foster families and supports them to build a network around them. It offers foster carers immediate practical support from an extended family network, much like that a non-fostering family might receive from friends and relatives, that can help to alleviate feelings of isolation that might come with fostering.
Whilst providing foster carers with support and respite, Mockingbird also offers children and young people the opportunity to expand their social circle and enjoy experiences like sleepovers and days out.
Relationships are central to Mockingbird and the Hub Home builds strong relationships with everyone in the constellation, empowering families to support each other and overcome any problems before they escalate or lead to a breakdown of the foster home. Hub Home Carers are specially recruited and trained to offer ongoing short stays, peer support, joint planning and social activities for foster carers and young people.
Vickie, a foster carer who is part of the first constellation, told us: "As an adult in Mockingbird, I'm thankful for the new connections with people of similar backgrounds and interests. The support from group meetings is fantastic, as is the extra training and staying informed. The days out aren't just enjoyable - they're enhancing my children's confidence and social skills. We're becoming like a little family unit and I really like that."
One young person whose family are part of Mockingbird added: "I like Mockingbird because I met new people and our days out are good, everyone enjoys themselves"
A second constellation has now launched, supporting a further seven families in Sunderland. The constellation will be led by Hub Home Carers Vicky and Chris, who've been foster carers in Sunderland since July 2020. Chris told us: "We are delighted to be part of Mockingbird and excited to be Hub Home Carers within our constellation. We are looking forward to being a part of an extended family with other carers and children. Mockingbird offers us the chance to form meaningful and positive relationships with carers and children who can offer support to each other. We are really looking forward to our social events and getting to know each and every child and carer. We hope to offer the children another home where they can feel safe and secure and be themselves."
Jill Colbert, Chief Executive at Together for Children, said: "We're thrilled to be launching our second Mockingbird constellation today. We've had wonderful feedback from foster carers involved in the first constellation, who've told us about the positive impact that this extended family model has had on them and the children and young people they care for. By delivering foster care in this way, our foster carers feel better supported; they have an extended peer support network who they can lean on when needed, much like any parent or carer. For young people, the opportunity to be part of a wider community of families who they can rely on and share social experiences with is vital; it supports them to flourish whilst in the care of their foster family and a safe and secure extended family network."
Mockingbird is led by fostering charity The Fostering Network and currently supports 62 fostering services in the UK.
Vickie Oldroyd, Mockingbird Coach at The Fostering Network, said: "Together for Children has demonstrated commitment to integrating and sustaining Mockingbird into the fostering service in Sunderland. This has led to the successful launch of two constellations that support foster families to come together as an extended family, by strengthening relationships and creating friendships."
