Foster carers are set to receive more support thanks to a move to create ‘extended families’.

Hertfordshire County Council has launched the new Mockingbird Family Model for foster families in the county after receiving funding to kick-start the scheme.

Receiving the funding from the Department of Education the first Mockingbird hub has been set up in Hemel Hempstead.

The model will also be rolled out to other locations in the county over the next two years.

Cabinet member for Children’s Services, Teresa Heritage, said: “This is a really exciting initiative.

“It will contribute to ensuring that children in our care have the same opportunities as we want for our own children.

“The opportunity to develop safe relationships across a group of trusted adults, to make friendships with children of different ages who may have had similar experiences to their own.

“We want them to enjoy the benefits of belonging within a wider ‘family’ group.”

The first hub in Hemel Hempstead will see carers support between six and ten satellite foster families.

Jools Newman and Ed Gibson, the carers at the new hub, hosted a ‘garden party’ to launch the Mockingbird Family Model.

Jools said: “Like any parent, sometimes a foster carer needs to talk to someone who understands the challenges.

“This week I supported two fostering families, offered a friendly hug, a listening ear and a cup of tea.”