New Salford ‘Mockingbird’ hubs to boost support for foster carers

Salford foster families will get more practical assistance and help to enhance the wellbeing of children in care thanks to a new ‘mockingbird’ network set up by Salford City Council’s fostering service.

The Salford fostering team has launched its first two Mockingbird 'constellations' which are based in Walkden, Worsley and Irlam.

They celebrated this week with foster carers, Lead Member for Children's Services and Young People Councillor Jim Cammell, Deputy Ceremonial Mayor Councillor Robin Garrido and representatives from the Fostering Network.

Mockingbird is a global pioneering programme led by The Fostering Network in the UK, and delivers sustainable foster care.  

It aims to be like 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 of six to ten satellite families called a constellation.  

It means there is a central hub family, who have experience in fostering, providing support, guidance and resources to a group of families with foster children. 

The hubs will offer meet ups and outings such as barbecues, bowling trips, sleepovers and joint meals. 

Lead Member for Children's Services and Young People, Councillor Jim Cammell said: “Foster carers do such a great job and make such a positive difference to children’s lives, so we want to continue to look at how we can best support them to do that. We hope the Mockingbird network will strengthen the foster care community and improve outcomes for cared for children. We’re thrilled with the amazing success stories already being shared with our hubs and we hope to continue to have more in the future.” 

The council has prioritised becoming a Child Friendly City within its corporate plan. 

This will build on existing good practice being delivered by the council and partner agencies, including having children’s services that Ofsted rated as good, with outstanding in leadership, and our services for care leavers, an active Youth Parliament, Family Hubs, the National Literacy Hub and Dolly Parton Imagination Library which promotes reading and early at an early age.

You can find out more information about fostering on the Salford City Council website.