Mockingbird Family Hub Home Carer

North East Combined Authority; Tees Valley; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The Fostering Network is seeking experienced foster carers or professionals to join the Mockingbird programme as Hub Home Carers, providing peer support, sleepovers, and group activities for children in constellations.

This full-time role requires approved foster carers who have completed initial training and induction, with leadership in coordinating satellite families, training events, and community activities to improve placement stability across the UK.

Qualifications

• Must be an approved foster carer with completed initial training.
• Complete post-approval induction and meet national standards.
• Familiarity with Training Support and Development Standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer support to foster carers and connected carers.
• Plan and supervise planned sleepovers for children in the constellation.
• Host and coordinate regular social events for all families.
• Support family time between siblings and birth families.
• Attend and coordinate constellation training for carers.

Skills

Foster carer experience

Peer support

DBS check (full)

Education

Approved foster carer with training

Post-approval induction

Training Support and Development Standards

Job description

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 accelerate, 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.