Mockingbird: A really big family

Wirral’s Fostering Service are proud to be launching its first Mockingbird Constellation in October 2024.

The Mockingbird Family Model (MFM) is an alternative way of providing foster care.  It is based on the idea of extended family; providing foster care that is structured around the support and relationships that an extended family provides. 

It involves foster carers being part of a group with other foster carers who are described as ‘satellite foster families’. 

The satellite foster families become part of an extended family and together form a ‘constellation’. 

At the heart of each ‘constellation’ is a ‘hub home’.  The ‘hub home’ is where a specially recruited and trained foster carer supports all carers within the ‘constellation’ by offering support and advice, respite care, sleepovers and social activities.

The Mockingbird Family Model gives children and young people a chance to build friendships with other children in care.  It helps children and young people build positive links with other families in the ‘constellation’ and reduces the number of unplanned placement moves.  It has also shown to decrease the disruption in children and young people’s care journey and empowers families to support each other and overcome problems before they escalate.