Pioneering group help for city foster families
10 together under a ‘constellation’
A PIONEERING new system to provide extra support to foster carers and children is set to be rolled out across Portsmouth.
The Mockingbird family model will be used in the city — a first for the south coast — and replicates extended families by bringing together 10 foster families under a 'constellation.'
Within each constellation will be a hub home where experienced foster carers can offer advice, sleepovers and social events to the other families.
Councillor Suzy Horton, the city council's children, families and education cabinet member, said: ' We're thrilled to be pioneering this model of care in the south coast.
‘Mockingbird will enable us to offer another type of fostering which will create communities around the children and young people in care.
'Even while we're setting up our first constellation, we are already looking ahead and are keen to start building our next group within Portsmouth.'
The first constellation is now ready and is set to launch officially in January 2021.
From January, the hub carers will then get together with the other carers and children for monthly social events, in person or virtually.
Experienced foster carers Alison and Lee Dowd, from Portsmouth, are set to become hub carers under the scheme.
Alison said: 'Lee and I have been fostering for almost eight years and we realised this kind of support was needed amongst carers and looked after children.
'Mockingbird ticked all the boxes to encourage foster carers to support each other and for the children to feel part of an extended family.
‘We are really excited and proud to be in Portsmouth's first Mockingbird hub.'
There are currently around 450 looked after children in Portsmouth, many living with foster carers on a short or long-term basis
As well as the Mockingbird Family Model, there are also opportunities to foster shortterm and long-term, act as a family link, as well as help a young person to independence with the supported lodgings scheme, which requires 10 hours a week.
To find out more about becoming a foster carer contact the fostering recruitment team on 023 9283 4071, visit foster.portsmouth.gov. uk or alternatively email fostering@portsmouthcc.gov. uk.