Portsmouth foster carers are at centre of new Mockingbird constellation for fostering families

Aly and Lee Dowd from Portsmouth are the first hub home in a new fostering ‘constellation’ scheme, The Mockingbird Family Model, which aims to support foster carers with immediate support and help young people build relationships with regular meet ups and social activities.

Eight families have formed the first constellation, in the scheme launched by Portsmouth City Council, with Aly and Lee’s hub home at the centre.

Among them are carers who have been fostering for more than 20 years while others are awaiting their first young person.

Lee said: ‘We've been fostering for so long so you forget how you felt at the beginning of the process and how useful it is to speak to other carers and families.

‘Having someone you can ask questions to, whether it's about the process, how to prepare for the children and young people coming into your care or ideas of things to do, we've never felt so much support before.

‘Our home will act as the hub, so our door will always be open. Once lockdown has lifted, carers can call in for a chat or young people can have sleepovers, which we hope will strengthen friendships and increase the sense of having an extended family.’

The members of the constellation have also started a WhatsApp group to help share information and connect during the lockdown.

Aly said: ‘We know from experience that it can take a while to build friendships with other carers.

‘But, through Mockingbird and the community that's created, you're instantly involved with a small group of people who are experiencing the same challenges and victories as you.

‘Children in care may not have strong friendships, particularly if they've moved homes a lot. This will give them chance to spend time with other people in a similar situation.’

Portsmouth City Council is the first local authority on the south coast to implement the Mockingbird Family Model.

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Councillor Suzy Horton, cabinet member for children, families and education, added: ‘Building a community of carers around children and young people to ensure a continuity of care and stable home life is vital.

‘Many of the children and young people we bring into care may not see their extended family of cousins, aunties, uncles, grandparents and family friends - so the Mockingbird Family Model aims to replicate this during their time in care. During the formative years of their lives as they grow up, attend school and build friendships, this type of support is invaluable.’

In Portsmouth other foster schemes available include short-term, long-term, acting as a family link and/or help a young person to independence with the supported lodgings scheme.

To find out more visit foster.portsmouth.gov.uk or email [email protected].

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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