Kaye Russell

The growth of an 'extended family' fostering model has led to the launch of a fifth Mockingbird constellation supporting looked after children in South Tyneside.

The Mockingbird model is based on the concept of an extended family and brings foster families together into a 'constellation'.

At the centre of the constellation is a 'Hub Home', led by experienced foster carers who provide vital peer support and guidance to the other foster families or 'satellite' families in the constellation, alongside social activities to strengthen relationships and permanence for the children they look after.

Claire and Lee Heslop were welcomed as the Hub Home Carers for the Borough's fifth constellation in a celebration event with other foster carers at South Shields Town Hall. The couple have been fostering for more than 14 years and have two children of their own.

New Hub carer, Claire Heslop, whose own family fostered while she was growing up, said: "To offer a safe loving home and support children when they need it the most was something we always knew we'd do together as a family - just as mine had done.

"Mockingbird is very similar to my own family dynamic in so many ways. It's a safe place. We all get together and enjoy spending time with one another, go on family days out, have fun, sleepovers and movie nights. The kids can call by for tea or just ring for a lift if they need it, just like they would within their own family if they're lucky. However, for many children they don't have that. The Home Hub and all the families within the constellation offer support to one another as we believe it takes a village to raise a child.

"Being this way is just part of our natural family life, so to be Hub Home Carers to Constellation Five feels amazing and we can't wait to get to know everyone and for us all to feel part of another wonderful diverse family together."

Mockingbird, which is delivered in the UK by the leading fostering charity The Fostering Network, was first pioneered in America by The Mockingbird Society.

It has shown to be effective in helping foster carers to overcome challenges and improve the lives of foster children by building positive links with other families in the constellation.

The model improves the stability of placements with fewer children having to move on to new homes. It also supports more sibling groups to be able to stay together.

South Tyneside's first Mockingbird constellation was introduced in September 2021. South Tyneside is the first council in the region to have five Mockingbird constellations supporting families.

Councillor Liz McHugh, Lead Member for Children and Families Social Care & Education and Skills at South Tyneside Council, said: "The Mockingbird model has been a real success story in South Tyneside, growing steadily and successfully. Based around the support and relationships that family provides, the model empowers foster families to support one another, which in turn, leads to more stable placements for our children and young people.

"Our network of foster families are doing an amazing job helping to transform the lives of children and young people who for a variety of reasons cannot be with their birth family.

"While fostering is a hugely rewarding job, it can also be extremely challenging. Through this model, foster carers and the children they care for share their experiences, support each other through difficult times and help each other to enjoy happier more stable fostering journeys."

South Tyneside is part of a rapidly growing national and international family of Mockingbird constellations with 31 across the North East and 191 across the UK, adding to constellations in the USA, Japan, Australia and the Netherlands.

Sarah Watson, Mockingbird Project Worker, said: "Mockingbird is an extended family model that provides sleepovers and short breaks, peer support, regular joint planning training and social activities. It is having a real impact on the outcomes for children and young people across the North East as well as improving the fostering experience of foster carers.

"Young people have reported that they like being with everybody, it's like having a big family with lots of brothers and sisters and that Mockingbird makes being in foster care better."

South Tyneside Council is keen to hear from people interested in fostering. For further information visit www.fosterwithnortheast.org.uk or contact the regional hub on 0800 917 7771.

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