Fostering service celebrates growth of successful 'extended family' model
Our fostering service brought together its fostering community to celebrate the launch of a third Mockingbird constellation in Gateshead.
Mockingbird is an award-winning programme, led by The Fostering Network (opens new window), based on the concept of an extended family. It brings together six to ten families in what is known as a 'constellation'.
At the centre of each constellation, there is a 'Hub Home', with experienced foster carers who support the other fostering families, referred to as satellite families.
The Mockingbird model nurtures the relationships between children, young people and foster families through peer support and social activities, such as sleepovers, which strengthens the bonds between families and helps them to form lasting relationships.
The celebration event held at the Civic Centre council chambers saw councillors, staff from children's services and families from all three Gateshead mockingbird constellations come together to celebrate the extension of the model.
The Mayor and Councillor Haley spoke about the success of Mockingbird in strengthening the support around fostering families and thanked the foster carers for their continued dedication in caring for the children.
Mel and Vickie, who are the 'hub carers' for the newly launched group, said: "We have been fostering with Gateshead for seven years now and are really pleased about the opportunity to become hub carers. Our experience will help us to support other families within the group and are looking forward to becoming one big family."
Councillor Gary Haley, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Gateshead Council, said: "We are delighted to launch our third Mockingbird constellation in Gateshead after the success of our first two groups.
It was inspiring to speak to our fostering families and hear about what a difference being part of a constellation is making to all of them by forming friendships and building relationships.
We now have 24 fostering families who are benefiting from being part of our Mockingbird groups and this has been a vital support for our carers and the children and young people in their care.
Gateshead's first Mockingbird group, with hub carers Carol and Paul, was launched in November 2022. The second group, led by hub carers Bernie and Tom, was launched in May of this year. Both have proved to be a great success."
Carol said: "The main benefit of Mockingbird is it allows the children to feel part of one big family and to spend time together and have fun. It also really benefits the carers who know they can contact us at any time for support or guidance on anything."
Vicky who is a satellite carer in the first Gateshead constellation alongside Carol and Paul said: "What we have got out of joining Mockingbird is the invaluable support from Carol and Paul and the social aspect is brilliant for us as carers and for the young person in our care. It just feels like an extended family to us now."
Our fostering service plans to launch a forth Mockingbird constellation next year to continue to grow the successful model for fostering families.
Find out more about the Mockingbird Family Model
If you feel you can provide a loving secure home to a child in Gateshead contact the regional enquiry hub Foster with North East for an initial chat on 0800 917 7771 or email contact@fosterwithnortheast.org.uk
Our fostering service brought together its fostering community to celebrate the launch of a third Mockingbird constellation in Gateshead.
Mockingbird is an award-winning programme, led by The Fostering Network (opens new window), based on the concept of an extended family. It brings together six to ten families in what is known as a 'constellation'.
At the centre of each constellation, there is a 'Hub Home', with experienced foster carers who support the other fostering families, referred to as satellite families.
The Mockingbird model nurtures the relationships between children, young people and foster families through peer support and social activities, such as sleepovers, which strengthens the bonds between families and helps them to form lasting relationships.
The celebration event held at the Civic Centre council chambers saw councillors, staff from children's services and families from all three Gateshead mockingbird constellations come together to celebrate the extension of the model.
The Mayor and Councillor Haley spoke about the success of Mockingbird in strengthening the support around fostering families and thanked the foster carers for their continued dedication in caring for the children.
Mel and Vickie, who are the 'hub carers' for the newly launched group, said: "We have been fostering with Gateshead for seven years now and are really pleased about the opportunity to become hub carers. Our experience will help us to support other families within the group and are looking forward to becoming one big family."
Councillor Gary Haley, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Gateshead Council, said: "We are delighted to launch our third Mockingbird constellation in Gateshead after the success of our first two groups.
It was inspiring to speak to our fostering families and hear about what a difference being part of a constellation is making to all of them by forming friendships and building relationships.
We now have 24 fostering families who are benefiting from being part of our Mockingbird groups and this has been a vital support for our carers and the children and young people in their care.
Gateshead's first Mockingbird group, with hub carers Carol and Paul, was launched in November 2022. The second group, led by hub carers Bernie and Tom, was launched in May of this year. Both have proved to be a great success."
Carol said: "The main benefit of Mockingbird is it allows the children to feel part of one big family and to spend time together and have fun. It also really benefits the carers who know they can contact us at any time for support or guidance on anything."
Vicky who is a satellite carer in the first Gateshead constellation alongside Carol and Paul said: "What we have got out of joining Mockingbird is the invaluable support from Carol and Paul and the social aspect is brilliant for us as carers and for the young person in our care. It just feels like an extended family to us now."
Our fostering service plans to launch a forth Mockingbird constellation next year to continue to grow the successful model for fostering families.
Find out more about the Mockingbird Family Model
If you feel you can provide a loving secure home to a child in Gateshead contact the regional enquiry hub Foster with North East for an initial chat on 0800 917 7771 or email contact@fosterwithnortheast.org.uk
