Heath Farm, part of the National Fostering Group, are proud to deliver the Mockingbird Family Programme, an extended family model with an experienced foster carer at the very core who offers a range of support, advice and training, as well as arranging social events for a constellation of fostering families.
This year marks five years since the launch of the Mockingbird Programme and The Fostering Network spoke to Hub Carers, Lisa and Andrew and Darren, a Liaison Worker from Heath Farm Fostering, about their experiences.
Darren details that over the past four years, there has been four constellations running and the hub carers have grown in such professionalism and confidence in this time, which has positively influenced the carers and all they are learning from the Mockingbird programme.
Darren sees how the ‘hub is often the glue that holds a placement together’ and goes on to explain how the programme has provided the space for carers to gain advice from others, spend time with other families and work through any difficulties together.
Hub Carers Lisa and Andrew said they felt they helped bring everyone together, offering a safe and supportive community where each can listen, understand, and learn from others. During lockdown, Lisa and Andrew creatively kept in touch with their constellation of carers, creating virtual quizzes, games, singalongs, coffee mornings and one to one support, all to provide that vital support through a difficult time.
The Mockingbird programme is run by the UK’s leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network – read the full article on their website.
Learn more on our work with the Mockingbird Programme or get in touch with your local team.