American-inspired foster care 'hubs' launched in Gateshead
A pioneering programme founded in America to support foster carers has been launched in Gateshead.
The Mockingbird Model has already been embraced by local authorities across the country, including in the North East, as a new and improved way of providing support to fostering communities.
In partnership with The Fostering Network, our foster carers in Gateshead will now be able to join a supportive community with other foster families to create a 'constellation'.
For our fostering community, the new model will mean that they have access to an extended family to support them and the young people they care for.
This includes access to regular social events and sleepovers for children as well as support and mentoring from other carers.
Councillor Gary Haley, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "We like to think our fostering community in Gateshead has always supported each other like an extended family, but by launching the acclaimed Mockingbird Model in the area, we can now offer even more support for carers and young people.
"The new fostering model will introduce a 'hub home' for our carers, allowing for young people in care to get the opportunity to spend real, meaningful time with one another.
"As we know, growing up in care can be extremely challenging. By continuingly improving our fostering service, we can help to make sure that the right support is in place for both our carers and young people to live thriving lives."
Meet our hub home carers
As part of the new model, one foster home acts as a hub, offering advice, training and to support six satellite households.
The hub home can host children in their constellation for sleepovers, be there in emergencies, and allow their home to be used as a base for social events or sensitive meetings with adoptive parents or birth families.
Carol and Paul, who have been fostering with Gateshead for several years, have taken on the challenge of being the dedicated home hub carers.
On the decision to be the home hub carers, Carol said: "We've been fostering for a while now, and both agree that it's the most rewarding thing that we've ever done.
"When the opportunity came along to become home hub carers, we were more than happy to put our names forward for consideration.
"We've always enjoyed new challenges and have taken on fostering teens over the years, which means we have plenty of experience with hosting sleepovers and social events, as well as understanding the occasional need for space and short breaks.
"This really just felt like the natural next step for us, and we are so excited to see the model launch in our community."
Find out more about the support available for foster carers in Gateshead today.
A pioneering programme founded in America to support foster carers has been launched in Gateshead.
The Mockingbird Model has already been embraced by local authorities across the country, including in the North East, as a new and improved way of providing support to fostering communities.
In partnership with The Fostering Network, our foster carers in Gateshead will now be able to join a supportive community with other foster families to create a 'constellation'.
For our fostering community, the new model will mean that they have access to an extended family to support them and the young people they care for.
This includes access to regular social events and sleepovers for children as well as support and mentoring from other carers.
Councillor Gary Haley, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "We like to think our fostering community in Gateshead has always supported each other like an extended family, but by launching the acclaimed Mockingbird Model in the area, we can now offer even more support for carers and young people.
"The new fostering model will introduce a 'hub home' for our carers, allowing for young people in care to get the opportunity to spend real, meaningful time with one another.
"As we know, growing up in care can be extremely challenging. By continuingly improving our fostering service, we can help to make sure that the right support is in place for both our carers and young people to live thriving lives."
Meet our hub home carers
As part of the new model, one foster home acts as a hub, offering advice, training and to support six satellite households.
The hub home can host children in their constellation for sleepovers, be there in emergencies, and allow their home to be used as a base for social events or sensitive meetings with adoptive parents or birth families.
Carol and Paul, who have been fostering with Gateshead for several years, have taken on the challenge of being the dedicated home hub carers.
On the decision to be the home hub carers, Carol said: "We've been fostering for a while now, and both agree that it's the most rewarding thing that we've ever done.
"When the opportunity came along to become home hub carers, we were more than happy to put our names forward for consideration.
"We've always enjoyed new challenges and have taken on fostering teens over the years, which means we have plenty of experience with hosting sleepovers and social events, as well as understanding the occasional need for space and short breaks.
"This really just felt like the natural next step for us, and we are so excited to see the model launch in our community."
Find out more about the support available for foster carers in Gateshead today.
