Support for foster carers in Staffordshire has been strengthened thanks to the expansion of a successful programme.
The Mockingbird Hub approach is delivered by Staffordshire County Council and creates a close-knit community of foster families centred around a dedicated Hub Home.
The county now has four Mockingbird constellations with each linking local fostering households together, providing practical support, friendship and shared experiences, led by specially trained Hub Home carers.
Based in South Staffordshire and Burton, the new constellations join two existing support networks that have been successfully supporting fostering families since 2023.
Laura and Kris Adcock are the new Hub Home carers based in Burton. Talking about the programme, Laura said:
We’re both really excited to step into our new roles as Mockingbird Hub Home carers.
It’s a wonderful programme that’s providing valuable support to foster families and the children they look after. Our main focus will be on creating peer support, providing planned sleepovers, and creating meaningful relationships for both foster carers and children.”
The expansion of the programme comes at a time when the number of children in care nationally continues to rise, while fostering applications are declining in many areas.
In Staffordshire, efforts to recruit and retain foster carers are being supported through better training, practical assistance and innovative programmes such as Mockingbird.
Su Beardmore, Staffordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:
It's fantastic to welcome our third and fourth Mockingbird constellations, and I'm delighted to see the positive impact it’s having on our fostering families.
Fostering can be incredibly rewarding, but there can also be challenging days. That's why Mockingbird works so well. It creates the feeling of an extended family, where carers and children can share both the highs and the lows, knowing there is always someone there to offer support.
We are committed to providing our foster carers with the support they need to continue caring for local children, and we hope to expand the programme even further in the future."
The approach helps create an extended family network, where foster carers and children can access support, form new friendships and the children can go for short breaks.
A launch celebration was held on Sunday 13 September in Shenstone, bringing together foster families and children in care who are part of the new constellations. Children enjoyed a range of activities, including arts and crafts, a mini disco and a magic show, while families had the opportunity to connect and build relationships.
To find out more about becoming a foster carer with Staffordshire County Council, visit Foster with Staffordshire.
