A really special fostering family was celebrated at a recent event to launch Dorset Council’s Mockingbird programme.
Mockingbird delivers sustainable foster care by replicating an extended family. It nurtures the relationships between children, young people and foster families, supporting them to build a resilient and caring community.
The formation of the first extended family group, or constellation, was celebrated with everyone in the constellation as well as those who have been supporting them during their formation.
Freya Burley, Mockingbird implementation manager at The Fostering Network said: ‘We’re really delighted to celebrate the launch of Mockingbird in Dorset. The model has had a big impact for fostering families around the UK, and globally.
‘It works by setting up a group of six to ten fostering families, known as a constellation, who provide support to each other in a similar way to an extended family.
Helena and Graham Sellers are the home hub carers for the first constellation. Helena said: ‘Being part of a constellation has enabled us to develop stronger bonds with the children and the families they live with. Although this constellation only formed a couple of months ago, we’ve already enjoyed taking part in activities together. We’ve been to the pantomime and been bowling so it’s great to see all the children enjoying themselves together but it’s also good to see the adults sharing stories with each other.
‘We’re part of a huge fun-loving family which thrives on mutual respect and we wouldn’t change any of it.’
Fostering is a really rewarding way to take part in a young person’s life, and Dorset Council is keen to recruit more foster carers. It hopes that the support foster carers get from being part of the Mockingbird programme will encourage more people to consider finding out about fostering.
Councillor Andrew Parry, portfolio holder for children, education, skills and early help, said: ‘I’m genuinely thrilled that Mockingbird has done so well in such a short space of time. We’re setting up our second and third constellations already, even though it’s still early days for our first constellation, which is incredibly exciting.
‘We’ve heard some terrific stories about the difference that is being made to young people in the families and friendships and support networks that are being formed.
‘Fostering is a really rewarding thing to do, you can make such a difference to a young person’s life by taking them into your home and giving them a loving family life.
‘The Mockingbird programme gives such great support to foster carers and their families that I hope it encourages more people to think about considering whether they could foster with Dorset Council.’
Foster with Dorset Council
Our fostering service puts the children who need loving, local foster homes at the heart of everything we do. The key focus is on keeping local children close to their schools, friends and birth families.
Our foster carers transform the lives of children and young people by opening their hearts and homes to those who need it the most. At present, demand for foster carers in Dorset is high – especially for teenagers and sibling groups.
Find out more about fostering with Dorset Council and register your interest today. Keep up to date with the latest fostering news and subscribe to our monthly enewsletter.
If you’d like to find out more in-person, the fostering team hold regular fostering drop-in events across Dorset and you can follow us on Facebook for all the latest fostering news and updates.