The implementation of Mockingbird is expected to improve outcomes for children and young people in the following ways:
- Improved placement stability – reduced placement breakdown because carers have a network of support
- Decrease in the number of young people placed in residential care or Independent Fostering agencies
- Increase in the number of young people enabled to live locally
- Improved contact between separated siblings
- Improved process and experience of sleepovers rather than provision of respite care
- Improved skills, confidence, and role satisfaction for foster carers
- Improved levels of carer retention and recruitment
The Fostering Network provides annual Mockingbird programme updates collating information from across all constellations nationwide. The 2021 update reported that 10% of carers would have resigned if they hadn’t been supported by the Mockingbird programme. It also reported that 18.5% of placements would have broken down if they hadn’t been supported by the Mockingbird programme.
Expected outcomes
The expected outcomes include:
- A network of strong and authentic relationships able to replicate the support offered by an extended family
- A strong, robust and resilient structure able to support children, young people and fostering families through times of crisis and transition.
- Improved experience of birth family contact
- Costs saved and costs avoided through prevention of placement breakdown, use of Independent Fostering Agencies or residential care
