Mockingbird Hub Home Carer

Looking for a new fostering challenge? Become a Mockingbird hub home carer

We are looking for experienced foster carers to support other fostering families as part of the Mockingbird programme. As a hub home carer you will provide peer support to other foster carers, sleepovers, and group social activities.

We are looking for a hub home carer for an existing constellation within Gateshead. Do you have two spare beds available?

About the Mockingbird programme

The Mockingbird programme is an alternative method of delivering foster care which centres on the idea of an extended family network of 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 uses the concept of a constellation, where six to ten satellite families are connected to a dedicated hub home which provides peer support, planned and emergency sleepovers and regular social activities.

The Mockingbird programme is run by The Fostering Network, the UK’s leading fostering charity, in conjunction with Gateshead Council and other fostering services across the UK. The programme has been running 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. To find out about the national programme visit www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/mockingbird

Being a Mockingbird hub home carer

Hub home carers are crucial to the success of the Mockingbird programme and each individual constellation. Hub home carers act as the glue that unites the satellite families in each constellation together into a community. It is a full time job for experienced foster carers who have completed their preparation training, post approval induction period and the national Training Support and Development Standards.

As a hub home carer, you will:

• have two empty 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 (at least once per month)
• attend and coordinate training and support groups 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.

Apply

To find out more about the Mockingbird programme and the role of a hub home carer, please contact Mockingbird liaison worker Jessica Hedley on 0191 433 3575

Or Fostering Assistant Team Manager Justine Anderson: justineanderson@gateshead.gov.uk / 07703380776

Please submit an expression of interest to Jessicahedley@gateshead.gov.uk by Sunday 1st November 2026

In your expression of interest please submit 400-500 words explaining why you feel you would be an excellent hub home carer.