Your article (How do you become a foster carer – and how much do you get paid?, 13 August) rightly focused on the financial aspects of fostering, but it missed an opportunity to talk about the support networks that are so vital for foster carers, yet are rarely talked about.
In South Tyneside, we have introduced the Mockingbird model, in partnership with The Fostering Network. Based on the idea of having an extended family, fostering households are supported by an experienced foster carer, or “hub carer”, who can give advice to Mockingbird foster carers when they need a little extra help. This additional support helps foster carers overcome challenges and avoid placement breakdown, while improving the life chances of foster children by building links with other foster families and allowing sibling groups to stay together.
