Mockingbird Family Hub Home Carer
£32,000 per year
We are seeking experienced foster carers and / or those with relevant professional experience to support fostering families as part of our Mockingbird programme. As a Hub Home Carer you will provide peer support to foster carers and connected carers as well as sleepovers and group social activities for children in their care.
About the Mockingbird programme
The Mockingbird programme is an alternative method of delivering foster care which centres on the idea of an extended network of family support. It empowers families to support each other and overcome problems before they escalate, and offers children a more positive experience of care.
The programme relies on a constellation, in which six to ten satellite families live in close proximity to a dedicated hub home which provides peer support, planned and emergency sleepovers and regular social activities. The constellation also builds links with other adults key to children’s care plans and to resources in the wider community that can provide them with enhanced opportunities to learn, develop and succeed.
The Mockingbird programme is run by The Fostering Network, the UK’s leading fostering charity, in conjunction with Hartlepool Borough Council and other fostering services across the UK. The programme has run since 2015 and has the potential to improve placement stability, safety and permanency for children and young people in care and to improve support for, and retention of, foster carers. www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/mockingbird
Being a Mockingbird Hub Home Carer
Hub home carers are crucial to the success of the Mockingbird programme and individual constellations. They are the glue that binds together the community of satellite families in each constellation. It is a full-time role for approved foster carers who have completed their initial training, post-approval induction period and the national Training Support and Development Standards.
As a hub home carer, you will:
Have one bedroom and two spare beds for planned and emergency sleepovers for children and young people living in the constellation
Support and mentor satellite families
Plan and host regular social events for all the families in the constellation
Host and support family time between siblings and birth families
Attend and coordinate training for carers in the constellation
Hub Home Carers will be confident, energetic, resourceful and experienced in managing conflict. They must also be empathetic and willing to coach others. They will take on a leadership role and have strong support networks of their own.
Our plan is to have our next Mockingbird Constellation up and running before April 2027. We would welcome applications from those who may not currently be in a position to fulfil the role of Hub Home Carer but expect to be at some point in the next four months.
How to Apply
Please complete the accompanying application form and return to our Mockingbird Lead Paul Reynolds at paul.reynolds1@hartlepool.gov.uk.
If you have not heard from one of the Fostering Team please assume your application was unsuccessful on this occasion. You are welcome to contact us for feedback though and we would urge those who aren’t chosen this time around to still consider being part of our next Mockingbird constellation as satellite carers and to apply as Hub Home Carers for any future constellations.
Fostering couples should be prepared to attend an interview together. Dates will be confirmed. While our focus will be on the main carer, it is crucial that both parties can evidence that they have understood the demands and responsibilities of the role and have fully considered the implications for the fostering household.
Start dates will be negotiated. The first month in post will involve meeting with prospective satellite families, their social workers and completing inductions and training with the Fostering Network.
To find out more about the Mockingbird programme and the role of a Hub Home Carer, please contact Paul Reynolds at the email address above or on (01429) 523328.
About the Mockingbird programme
The Mockingbird programme is an alternative method of delivering foster care which centres on the idea of an extended network of family support. It empowers families to support each other and overcome problems before they escalate, and offers children a more positive experience of care.
The programme relies on a constellation, in which six to ten satellite families live in close proximity to a dedicated hub home which provides peer support, planned and emergency sleepovers and regular social activities. The constellation also builds links with other adults key to children’s care plans and to resources in the wider community that can provide them with enhanced opportunities to learn, develop and succeed.
The Mockingbird programme is run by The Fostering Network, the UK’s leading fostering charity, in conjunction with Hartlepool Borough Council and other fostering services across the UK. The programme has run since 2015 and has the potential to improve placement stability, safety and permanency for children and young people in care and to improve support for, and retention of, foster carers. www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/mockingbird
Being a Mockingbird Hub Home Carer
Hub home carers are crucial to the success of the Mockingbird programme and individual constellations. They are the glue that binds together the community of satellite families in each constellation. It is a full-time role for approved foster carers who have completed their initial training, post-approval induction period and the national Training Support and Development Standards.
As a hub home carer, you will:
Have one bedroom and two spare beds for planned and emergency sleepovers for children and young people living in the constellation
Support and mentor satellite families
Plan and host regular social events for all the families in the constellation
Host and support family time between siblings and birth families
Attend and coordinate training for carers in the constellation
Hub Home Carers will be confident, energetic, resourceful and experienced in managing conflict. They must also be empathetic and willing to coach others. They will take on a leadership role and have strong support networks of their own.
Our plan is to have our next Mockingbird Constellation up and running before April 2027. We would welcome applications from those who may not currently be in a position to fulfil the role of Hub Home Carer but expect to be at some point in the next four months.
How to Apply
Please complete the accompanying application form and return to our Mockingbird Lead Paul Reynolds at paul.reynolds1@hartlepool.gov.uk.
If you have not heard from one of the Fostering Team please assume your application was unsuccessful on this occasion. You are welcome to contact us for feedback though and we would urge those who aren’t chosen this time around to still consider being part of our next Mockingbird constellation as satellite carers and to apply as Hub Home Carers for any future constellations.
Fostering couples should be prepared to attend an interview together. Dates will be confirmed. While our focus will be on the main carer, it is crucial that both parties can evidence that they have understood the demands and responsibilities of the role and have fully considered the implications for the fostering household.
Start dates will be negotiated. The first month in post will involve meeting with prospective satellite families, their social workers and completing inductions and training with the Fostering Network.
To find out more about the Mockingbird programme and the role of a Hub Home Carer, please contact Paul Reynolds at the email address above or on (01429) 523328.
Attachments
Salary range
- £32,000 per year