Mockingbird Family Model

The Mockingbird Family Model (opens new window) is a pioneering programme delivered by The Fostering Network (opens new window) in partnership with fostering organisations across the UK.

It brings foster carers together, around a hub home carer and liaison worker, who work together to support all the carers and children in the community known as a constellation.

The programme nurtures the relationships between children, young people and foster families supporting them to build a resilient and caring community of six to ten satellite families.

Carers can become "satellite carers" to be part of the model. A satellite carer is a normal fostering household which joins the "constellation" with the children they currently have in their care.

A constellation is a group of six to 10 carer households in the Mockingbird pilot that operates like an extended family.

Nothing will change for a carer who becomes a satellite carer and joins the constellation. They will simply become part of an 'extended family' and have access to support and training from the hub home carer, including sleepovers for children of the satellite carer.

 The hub home carer builds strong relationships with everyone in the constellation, empowering families to support each other and overcome problems before they escalate or lead to placement breakdown, which increases protective factors around the children.

Hub carers also provide sleepovers and social activities, so the children and young people and the carers have an extended family.

Fostering Mockingbird Model - Carol, Paul and Vicky

Foster cares Carol and Paul are Hub Carers for Gateshead Council's first Mockingbird constellation. They provide support and social activities for other fostering families within the group including foster carer Vicky who tells us how being part of Mockingbird has been invaluable. 

Hear from Carol, Paul and Vicky:

Mockingbird constellations:

• build relationships
• offer vital peer support
• host social activities
• increase placement stability and permanence

More information

You can read more about the Mockingbird programme on the Fostering Network website (opens new window).