Stockport Council Fostering Service’s ground-breaking Mockingbird programme is celebrating 10 years of helping support Stockport’s fostering community.

Mockingbird led by The Fostering Network in the UK, delivers sustainable foster care. It is an evidence-based model structured around the support and relationships an extended family provides. The model nurtures the relationships between children, young people, and foster families supporting them to build a resilient and caring community.

Following a successful pilot back in 2015, Stockport was one of the first local authorities in the UK to launch its Mockingbird scheme. Now in its 10th year, there are five hubs supporting nearly 50 local families.

Being part of Mockingbird provides the children and young people with a sense of belonging, care and the stability of being surrounded by adults who genuinely care about their wellbeing. It’s also a vital support network for foster carers and their families — a space to share experiences, get advice, and feel connected.

Based upon the most recent 12 months’ data, Stockport’s Mockingbird programme has provided over 1,000 hours of daytime and at least 300 instances of overnight support for local foster families.

Councillor Colin MacAlister, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education said: “We are extremely proud of our Mockingbird scheme here in Stockport and we recognise the importance of having this invaluable support network available for all our local foster carers and their families. The fosters carers at the centre of our Mockingbird hubs are like the glue that hold a family together, and their dedication and commitment make such a positive difference to a local child’s or young person’s life.”

Stockport’s Mockingbird families celebrated its 10th birthday at a party in Brinnington, all coming together to sing the Beatles classic, “All you need is Love.”

Stockport Council urgently needs more local foster carers to provide loving, safe homes for children and young people in Stockport, especially foster carers who can look after brothers and sisters so families can be kept together.

All foster carers receive training, ongoing support and receive generous tax-free allowances, plus extra for clothing, birthdays and holidays. From a few nights a week to a long-term home, if you’re over 21 you can make all the difference to a child’s life in Stockport.

Could you foster? Anyone interested in becoming a foster carer or the Mockingbird scheme can visit www.fosterforgm.com/stockport or call 0300 303 0321.