Here in Doncaster, we have been delivering Mockingbird since its initial implementation in the UK. This means we have ten years of skills and knowledge of creating a community that helps support our children and young people, as well as carers.

What are Mockingbird Hubs?

Mockingbird hubs are a network of support. A hub brings together up to 10 ‘satellite’ fostering families in the area, who are supported by an experienced fostering family – the ‘hub home’. Just like a supportive grandparent, our hub carers offer a listening ear, a wealth of experienced advice, and a consistent source of encouragement. And like cherished aunts and uncles, our satellite families provide that extra layer of care, fun, and connection for the children. 

Together, each Hub creates an extended circle of support around the child and foster carer, providing support, social events and regular ‘sleepovers’. The hubs are a fantastic way to extend the circle of support around the child, with adults they know and trust. It helps give the child a sense of belonging and being part of a wider community who are there to care for them. 

The benefits of being part of the Mockingbird family

• A supportive community: Regular monthly social events for our fostering families, giving you and the child you care for the chance to get to know others within hubs.
• Guided support: Your hub carer is always here to support you and will meet with you once a month to focus on the support you may need.
• Breaks when you need it: You’ll get planned and emergency care 24/7, including day care and overnight stays.
• Work with people who understand fostering: With years of experience, your hub carer will be able to help you access community resources and share their knowledge of how best to support children in care.

Mockingbird isn’t the only support we offer our fostering families. You can read more about our support offer here.

What our young people and carers have to say about Mockingbird

‘I like mockingbird because people look after me and we always have fun’ – A young person in care  

“Being part of Mockingbird helped us to be able to foster as in the beginning we had no support or family to lean on. Now we are Mockingbird Hub carers, it is amazing that we can give back and support others to learn and grow’. –  Hub Carers

“A great big hug in a mug, there is always someone to talk to and ask advice, our hub carer advocates for us if/when needed. Birth children are also very much part of our mock flock family.” -  A satellite fostering family.

“I really enjoy working with my families, and I am very proud to have 4 of my 7 families from the beginning, going back almost 10 years. I’m also very proud that other long-standing members of my mock flock are now hub carers. They are very comfortable in being hub carers as they say that they have learnt from the best. I am currently enjoying mentoring them as well.” – A hub carer

 

 

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