Senior Practitioner – Mockingbird Family Model

About the role

The Staffordshire Fostering Service is seeking a Senior Practitioner to lead and expand the internationally recognised Mockingbird Family Model. This role will support foster families, strengthen peer networks and improve placement stability for children and young people across Staffordshire.

Key responsibilities

• Supervise, support and develop foster families participating in the Mockingbird Family Model.
• Lead the development and rollout of new Mockingbird constellations across the county.
• Act as the primary liaison between the service and The Fostering Network, ensuring adherence to the model framework.
• Coordinate and quality‑assure activities for all existing constellations, including meetings, training and social events.
• Collect performance data from liaison workers, produce reports for senior management and the network.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with carers, children, birth families and partner agencies.

Required profile

• Significant experience working in fostering, social care or a related child‑welfare setting.
• Proven ability to supervise and develop adult carers and to manage multi‑agency partnerships.
• Strong organisational and reporting skills with a focus on outcomes and quality assurance.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building capabilities.

Required skills

What we offer

• Competitive salary range of £45,091 – £49,282 per year.
• Full‑time contract within a supportive public sector environment.
• Opportunity to shape an innovative fostering model with national impact.