Posted on Wednesday 11th September 2024
Stephen Billings (Foster Carer), Claire Cartwright (Staffordshire County Council), Bernie Brown (Staffordshire County Council), and Bernie Stone (Foster Carer)
Foster carers in Staffordshire are getting extra support thanks to the county council’s Mockingbird programme.
The approach helps nurture relationships between children, young people and foster families, supporting them to build a resilient and caring community. It does this by providing support, alongside social activities like day trips and sleepovers for children.
Led by a hub home carer and liaison worker, each constellation community runs in a specific geographic area. The first constellation was launched in Leek in March 2022, with families having enjoyed trips to Cosford RAF museum and Tittesworth Reservoir.
The second constellation was launched on Sunday 8 September in Newcastle-under-Lyme. At the event, newly recruited home hub carers Bernadette Stone and Stephen Billings, said:
“We are really looking forward to getting to know the families in our constellation and providing them with extra support and guidance when they need it.”
Mark Sutton, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Staffordshire County Council, said:
“We are committed to supporting our foster carers as much as we can and we’re very pleased with the Mockingbird approach.
“This latest group will be a great addition to our current offer of support. In the future, we are also hoping to expand the programme into other areas of the county as soon as is feasible."
Staffordshire County Council needs more foster carers and people can find out more about the different types of fostering on the foster for Staffordshire Website or by calling 0800 169 2061.