Stockport Council Fostering Service is celebrating 10 years of its ground-breaking Mockingbird programme of support for the borough’s fostering community.
Mockingbird led by The Fostering Network in the UK, is an evidence-based model structured around 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.
Following a successful pilot back in 2015, Stockport was one of the first local authorities in the UK to launch its Mockingbird scheme. Now in its 10th year, there are five hubs supporting nearly 50 local families.
Stockport’s Mockingbird families celebrated its 10th birthday at a party in Brinnington, all coming together to sing the Beatles classic, “All you need is Love.”
Being part of Mockingbird provides the children and young people with a sense of belonging, care and the stability of being surrounded by adults who genuinely care about their wellbeing. It’s also a vital support network for foster carers and their families, providing them with a space to share experiences, get advice, and feel connected.
Based upon the most recent 12 months’ data, Stockport’s Mockingbird programme has provided over 1,000 hours of daytime and at least 300 instances of overnight support for local foster families.
Cllr Colin MacAlister, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education said:
“We are extremely proud of our Mockingbird scheme here in Stockport and we recognise the importance of having this invaluable support network available for all our local foster carers and their families. The fosters carers at the centre of our Mockingbird hubs are like the glue that hold a family together, and their dedication and commitment make such a positive difference to a local child’s or young person’s life.”
Stockport Council urgently needs more local foster carers to provide loving, safe homes for children and young people in Stockport, especially foster carers who can look after brothers and sisters so families can be kept together. All foster carers receive training, ongoing support and receive generous tax-free allowances, plus extra for clothing, birthdays and holidays. For further information about fostering in Stockport, visit the Foster For GM website.
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