What's it like to be part of a Mockingbird constellation?

We spoke to different people who are part of a Mockingbird family model. They told us what it brings to their day-to-day life and the difference Mockingbird constellations really make to them and the children and young people they care for.

"Until you run a hub or you're in a constellation, you don't realise it is what you've been missing for a long time." Mockingbird hub carers, Lesley and Anth.

"The hub carer will come help you out at your home or take the child to their home if needed. This helps the carers and the child just get a little time to breathe if things are difficult." Mockingbird constellation foster carer, Viv.

"It's a bigger family that's what it is. It's more extended. It isn't Mockingbird, it is my bigger family, this is my family. It's like everybody's got their arms round in a circle and they've got the kids in the middle. They are protecting us and that's what they are doing and we're all growing up slowly and surely but with the help they're giving, it's so much more than most people think." Mockingbird constellation young member, aged 17.

"I know that he (her fostered young person) has somewhere to go he can go to at Lesley's, I know that he's secure, I know that he's safe.  If I've got something that I really need to talk to someone about then I ring Lesley, I honestly couldn't do without it." Mockingbird constellation foster carer, Catherine.

Social workers also speak highly of Mockingbird, with Fostering Team Manager Lisa saying: "The Mockingbird programme means I get to spend more time with children and young people and I absolutely love that. For example, because the families already have a support network through Mockingbird they can arrange things like sleepovers or childcare between themselves and Lesley as the hub carer completes all of the necessary paperwork.  This is something that previously would have taken a long time as we'd have to sort out background checks and assessments which was also frustrating to the young people but now, I can spend the time with young people and foster carers offering them the support they really need."

We know Mockingbird constellations improve fostering service support and help long-term fostering placements to be more stable. Having the support network of a constellation for your fostering family improves life in all kinds of ways:

For foster carers

• Opportunities to learn from peers, share knowledge and training.
• Building friendships and a sense of community with other local foster carers.
• Being able to chat through challenges.
• Help is always on hand to prevent challenging situations from worsening.
• Chances to make memories with other fostering families.

For children and young people

• A positive family-based experience of social care for the child or young person.
• The chance to take part in new activities in a safe setting, building confidence.
• Creating friendships with looked after and biological children in other families.
• A wider network of trusted adults to support and positively shape their future.
• Familiar safe places for events, sleepovers or finding breathing space.