Source: City of Plymouth
A programme which provides family-style support for fostering families has been extended in Plymouth, with more households now able to benefit.
Foster for Plymouth, Plymouth City Council’s own fostering service, first introduced the Mockingbird programme last autumn in partnership with The Fostering Network.
Mockingbird uses an extended family model in the form of ‘constellations’, consisting of a central hub home which supports several satellite homes of other foster carers. The hub home carers are specially recruited for their experience and will help the satellite carers with peer support, social activities and respite care in the form of sleepovers.
The first constellation launched last year has been a huge success and now a second constellation has launched, which will support eight fostering households.
The hub home carers for the second constellation, Lydia and Paul, have been foster carers since 2013.
They said: “As a family of five we have mostly done time-limited and respite care, caring for 39 children to date. We have loved sharing our house and family with these children and have learnt so much on the way.
“We look forward to being part of the Mockingbird model, supporting others to enjoy and flourish in their fostering journey and introducing an extended family to all the children.”
Being part of a Mockingbird constellation is an additional option for foster carers, rather than being compulsory, and the satellite homes are carefully chosen to ensure good compatibility.
Mockingbird has been shown to help alleviate the sense of isolation that carers can feel and means they can access immediate practical and emotional support in the same way that a non-fostering family might be supported by friends and family.
The first constellation, lead by hub home carers Jo and Duncan, has been hugely successful since it launched last autumn.
Jo said: “We absolutely love our Mockingbird journey. It’s been awesome watching both the children and carers bonding and we have made so many wonderful memories so far, it’s been absolutely amazing. Through feedback from our carers I know they feel the same way.
“We wish Lydia and Paul every success on their new journey – they’ll smash it! And we will support in any way we can.”
Councillor Jemima Laing, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “The success of the first Mockingbird constellation has been astounding, it’s clear that it has had real benefits for both our foster carers and our children and young people.
“I’m delighted that we’re launching our second constellation so that even more of our fostering families can benefit from being part of a tight-knit community.”
Only Local Authority foster carers can benefit from the Mockingbird programme.
To be a foster carer, you must be over the age of 21, have a spare room and be genuinely interested in the welfare of children and young people.
There are less barriers to foster care then you may think, and it doesn’t matter whether you are:
- single or in a relationship
- a parent or have never had children
- a pet owner
- renting your home or a homeowner
- employed, unemployed or retired
- living with a disability.
If you’re interested in finding out more, visit fosterforplymouth.co.uk, email [email protected] or call 01752 308762.