Mockingbird

Walsall Council is the first local authority in the West Midlands to take part in the Fostering Network’s ‘Mockingbird’ fostering programme.

The Mockingbird programme is an innovative way of delivering foster care which centres on the idea of an extended network of family support.

Empowering families to support each other and overcome challenges, Mockingbird allows our carers to offer children and young people a more positive, consistent, and secure experience of care.

How Mockingbird works

The Mockingbird programme creates a ‘constellation’ where one experienced foster home - the hub - offers planned and emergency sleepovers, advice, training, and nearly 24/7 support to six to ten ‘satellite’ fostering families.

Launched in July 2018, we now have six constellations up and running in Walsall. There are over 150 people actively involved in our Mockingbird fostering community.

Constellation meet-ups

All carers within a constellation meets up once a month to give foster carers the opportunity to discuss specific topics and challenges they are facing.

Each constellation also meet up monthly for social activities which include all of the looked-after children. These activities have included trampolining, park visits, trips to the Snowdome and RAF Cosford museum, and more.

These meet-ups and events are an invaluable source of support to both the foster carers, and the looked-after children.

Join Mockingbird

Newly appointed foster carers may be offered the opportunity to take part in this programme.

Use the form below if you are interested in becoming part of a Mockingbird constellation. We will be able to provide you with some more information.