A Leeds foster carer has praised the ‘invaluable’ support offered by a pioneering peer network, as the city marks 10 years of the transformative Mockingbird fostering model. Launched in Leeds in 2015, the Mockingbird hub model connects foster families with a dedicated and experienced ‘hub home carer’ who offers practical advice, emotional support, and guidance. This relationship helps foster families, both adults and children, navigate the challenges and transitions of their new lives together.
Originally developed in Seattle, USA, the Mockingbird model has flourished in Leeds, with the city council emerging as one of its earliest UK adopters. Leeds now boasts the largest and most established Mockingbird network in the country, a testament to its commitment to strengthening foster care through community-based support Leeds Star Newspaper