Meet the team: Jenny and Hope share their experience being the 'team around the child' on Foster Care Fortnight 2025

As part of Foster Care Fortnight 2025, we're shining a light on the team who support foster families in Portsmouth using the innovative Mockingbird programme.

This unique model works by creating a 'constellation' of up to 10 satellite fostering households. This approach offers the relations and support that are similar to an extended family.

At the heart of each ‘constellation’ is a ‘hub home’ where a specially recruited and trained hub home foster carer offers vital peer support and guidance to all the carers within the constellation, in addition to respite care in the form of sleepovers and social activities.

Jenny and Hope work as part of the fostering service at Portsmouth City Council and oversee each Mockingbird constellation, supporting home hub carers and the foster families within these constellations.

As Mockingbird liaison workers, they arrange reflective sessions, organise training and support the needs of everyone within the constellations.

Jenny said:

"Foster families tell us that they have joined Portsmouth fostering specifically to become part of a Mockingbird constellation, they value the support this provides, and the stability it gives for the children they care for".

'When the whole system works, the support is there when someone experiences a wobble. Constellations are helping foster families stay together as they feel comfort knowing that someone is there to support them.

The programme was first introduced in the United States and brought to the UK by The Fostering Network, a charity that champions the sector. The model creates a type of extended family.

Hope, who works alongside Jenny, told us how Mockingbird improves confidence among new foster carers.  

Hope said:

"Our role is multi-faceted; we can advocate for foster families within each constellation and arrange specific training for that constellation or individual carer.

"One foster carer recently told me they have made more friends since joining a mockingbird constellation. They told me that they were struggling with a little person on reins. After going out with the home hub carer, receiving advice and guidance, she has built up the confidence to allow the child off the reins. This shows how impactful mockingbird can be for foster families."

This year, Foster Care Fortnight is highlighting the 'power of relationships' and the ties between foster families and their support networks.

Hope said:

"From a child's perspective, mockingbird encourages friendships within and between constellations. Siblings living within mockingbird constellations develop their relationships through the many activities and events that take place. These interactions create connections and lifelong links."

Learn more about the Mockingbird programme

Portsmouth is leading the way with the Mockingbird programme, supporting children, young people and their foster families. Discover more about the innovative model and its impact on the city.

Find out more