Mockingbird Family Support Model
We are pleased to have been able to partner with The Fostering Network to deliver our first Mockingbird Family Model scheme for Torbay.
The first such scheme was officially launched for the Brixham area at a special event at Churston Golf Club in February 2025, attended by foster carers, cared for children, Children’s Services staff and councillors, along with other partners.
Mockingbird is a global award winning and pioneering programme which delivers sustainable foster care. It is an evidence-based model. It is structured around the support and relationships an extended family provides.
It involves 6-10 foster carers becoming part of a group with other foster carers who are part of a wider constellation of satellite foster homes. The satellite homes in turn get support from a central hub home. This hub provides advice and support to all the satellite homes.
The fostering service then provides a worker to take on a liaison role for both the hub and satellite homes. The model fits with our approach of putting families at the centre of finding solutions and solving problems using restorative approaches.
This model is also up and running in several other local authorities in the UK. Evidence shows that it increases support provided to foster carers. This then improves placement stability for children / young people.
We are now working on Mockingbird schemes for other parts of Torbay.