Slough Children First and its fostering agency Foster with Slough are pleased to announce the launch of its second Mockingbird constellation to support foster care.
On Friday 21 March, foster families came together to celebrate with an evening of food, activities and celebration at one of our Mockingbird hub carer’s home.
Mockingbird, led by The Fostering Network in the UK, delivers sustainable foster care. It is an evidence-based model structured around the support and relationships an extended family provides.The model nurtures the relationships between children, young people and foster families supporting them to build a resilient and caring community.
The model consists of 6 to 10 foster families called a constellation, nurturing relationships, support, resilience and care between young people, foster carers and families. It also encourages social activities, sleep overs and aims to strengthen performance, ensuring that no carer or child feels alone in their journey.
Having launched its first programme in 2018, Foster with Slough is excited to announce the launch of its second constellation as part of the Mockingbird Programme, a pioneering model that strengthens foster families through the power of community.
Saima Arif, Head of Regulated Services at Slough Children First said, “We launched our first Mockingbird constellation in 2018, when the programme was offered by less than 20 organisations nationally. It is a great feeling to have watched our first constellation grow and it is evident that this model makes a huge difference to children, young people and foster families involved.”
“Children are at the heart of everything we do”, Sue Butcher, Executive Director of Children’s Services and Chief Executive of Slough Children First said. Foster care can feel lonely and overwhelming at times but with Mockingbird, this can be overcome through valuable emotional and practical support. Mockingbird will benefit all who are involved, providing a constant support system and family style relationship, while helping children thrive.
While fostering can be rewarding, it can also be challenging, so foster carers at the launch were gifted a mini ‘survival kit’, including a tissue for when tears need to be dried, a paperclip for holding things together and a rubber band to let remind them they can remain flexible and bounce back.
Councillor Puja Bedi, Lead Member for Education and Children’s Services said: “Following the success of Slough’s first Mockingbird constellation, I am thrilled that we have another. It is rewarding to see our Mockingbird programme go from strength to strength. Mockingbird brings a sense of community, and adults and children alike in the constellation will be going through the same thing. Whether it’s the foster carers wanting someone to talk to, go on a trip or coffee morning with, or the children wanting to come over and play with other children, Mockingbird has a sense of naturalness and belonging.”
Foster carers who are part of the programme have already shared their excitement about its impact, with one carer saying “Fostering can sometimes feel isolating, but knowing we have a support network of carers who truly understand is incredible. Having a hub carer to turn to, someone who has been in our shoes, makes a world of difference.”
The Mockingbird family model is only one source of support that we provide for our foster carers.
For more information about Foster with Slough and the Mockingbird programme, visit www.fosterwithslough.co.uk or call 0300 131 2797.
