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Staffordshire County Council,
An exciting opportunity has arisen within Staffordshire Fostering Service for an experienced and enthusiastic practitioner who is passionate about building strong relationships and creating resilient support networks for children, young people, and foster families.
We are seeking a dedicated Senior Practitioner to support the continued growth and development of the Mockingbird Family Model across Staffordshire. This innovative approach brings foster families together into supportive constellations, creating an extended family network that improves placement stability, strengthens relationships, and ensures children and young people have the support they need to thrive.
The Mockingbird Family Model is an internationally recognised fostering programme designed to provide:
- Short break and emergency support for foster families
- Strong peer support networks for carers
- Regular joint planning and training opportunities
- Social activities that build connections and community
- Improved placement stability for children and young people
- Enhanced support for sibling relationships and family connections
As Staffordshire Fostering Service expands this successful model, we are looking for a skilled practitioner to play a key role in its delivery and development.
Main Responsibilities
In this role you'll:
- Supervise, support, and develop foster families who are part of the Mockingbird Family Model, promoting strong and resilient support networks.
- Lead on the development and expansion of the Mockingbird Family Model across Staffordshire Fostering Service.
- Act as the primary point of contact between Staffordshire Fostering Service and The Fostering Network, ensuring effective communication and adherence to the Mockingbird framework.
- Support the planning, launch, and ongoing development of two new Mockingbird constellations across the county.
- Coordinate, oversee, and provide quality assurance for all four Mockingbird constellations within Staffordshire.
- Gather performance and outcome data from Mockingbird Liaison Workers and produce reports for The Fostering Network and service management.
- Build positive relationships with foster carers, children, young people, birth families, and partner agencies.
- Promote placement stability and positive outcomes for children and young people through the effective delivery of the Mockingbird programme.
- Coordinate constellation meetings, events, training, and social activities that strengthen peer support and foster family networks.
- Provide guidance, support, and professional oversight to carers and colleagues involved in the Mockingbird programme.
- Work collaboratively with fostering teams and multi-agency partners to ensure children and young people receive the best possible support.
- Champion the voice of children and young people and contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of fostering services.
- Work flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends, to meet the needs of foster families and the Mockingbird programme.
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The Ideal Candidate
We are seeking an enthusiastic, motivated, and experienced practitioner who is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people through innovative fostering support.
It is essential you are able to demonstrate:
- Knowledge of Fostering Regulations, National Minimum Standards, and relevant legislation.
- Qualification as a Social Worker with a minimum of two years' post-qualifying experience.
- Registration with Social Work England.
- A current UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes.
- Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends in line with service requirements.
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage effectively with foster carers, children, young people, families, and partner agencies.
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to coordinate multiple activities and stakeholders effectively.
- A genuine commitment to developing, embedding, and expanding the Mockingbird Family Model across Staffordshire Fostering Service.
- An interest in project management, service development, and innovation, with experience of implementing or supporting new projects or initiatives being highly desirable.
- Experience of supervising and supporting staff and/or foster carers.
- The ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and contribute positively to a collaborative team environment.
- A sound understanding of fostering practice and the needs of children and young people in care.
For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact:
Alisha Gordon – Team Manager
alisha.gordon@staffordshire.gov.uk
For further information about the Mockingbird Liaison Worker role, please contact:
Sade Liburd
sade.liburd@staffordshire.gov.uk
Interviews to take place week commencing 17th August 2026
Our Recruitment Process:
We anonymise applications during the shortlisting process to ensure that only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application in full, particularly the supporting statement, to demonstrate how your skills, knowledge, and experience meet the requirements of the role.
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Please note: The minimum essential criteria detailed within the "Who We Are Looking For" section will be used when considering applications submitted under one of our Interview Guarantee Schemes.
About Staffordshire County Council
We are no ordinary county council:
Our Values:
The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.
Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:
- We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people.
- We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.
- We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.
Our benefits:
We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.
In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire
Our recruitment process:
As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities
As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
As you’ll know safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people/vulnerable adults is important to us and that’s why this position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. If applicable you should disclose details of unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.
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