Foster family mutual support method prevents unnecessary transfers
Leiden, May 15, 2025 – Today, on International Family Day, Kinderpostzegels and Foster Family Support are highlighting an urgent challenge in foster care: the high number of child placements. It still happens far too often that a foster child is placed prematurely with another foster family. A lack of support from the community is one of the reasons why foster placements fail. The new Mockingbird method, brought to the Netherlands by Kinderpostzegels, offers a solution. Mockingbird connects foster families and experienced foster parents within a region for support and advice. Together they form a strong network around the foster child. The Mockingbird method has been successfully implemented in the United States since 2004.
It's a sad reality that over 20,000 children in the Netherlands are temporarily unable to live with their own families and are placed in foster care for short or long periods. But foster families are still too often left to fend for themselves. Foster parents and children often lack a close-knit group of experienced foster parents who understand what it means to care for a foster child and who offer support during difficult times. Due to the lack of this recognition and support, some foster families decide to end their care prematurely, forcing foster children to move on to another family. These relocations have a profound impact on the lives of everyone involved – and especially on those of the foster children.
Mockingbird connects six to ten foster families living in the same region in a so-called constellation. An experienced foster family is the central hub: the hub home. Within the constellation, the foster families support each other, share experiences, and together create a stable and welcoming environment for foster children. Foster children feel welcome and connect with other foster children, creating valuable friendships. Currently, six constellations have been formed in the Netherlands, and Mockingbird continues to expand.
Sofie Vriends, CEO of Kinderpostzegels: “At Kinderpostzegels, we believe every child deserves a stable and loving environment to grow up in. This is especially crucial for children in foster care. With Mockingbird, we bring families together so they can form a network that's always there for each other. Because only if you feel supported as a foster parent can you provide a stable foundation for a child. It's encouraging that politicians in The Hague are also recognizing the value of this approach.”
Roza Freriks, director of Foster Family Support: "Foster families are essential for children who can't live at home temporarily. But caring for a foster child isn't always easy. Thanks to Mockingbird, foster families receive support from other foster families, which helps retain foster parents and prevent children from moving. This safety net provides a safe haven for the children where they can make friends in similar situations."
Political support for Mockingbird
Mockingbird is gaining increasing political recognition. In January 2024, the House of Representatives passed a motion calling on the government to implement this method more broadly within foster care. In November 2024, State Secretary for Youth, Prevention, and Sport Vincent Karremans visited a Mockingbird constellation and expressed his appreciation for the model.
Public campaign highlights working methods
Kinderpostzegels and Steun Fostergezin recently launched a publicity campaign about Mockingbird. The campaign showcases Mockingbird's approach from the perspective of a foster child, foster parent, and experienced foster parent. It emphasizes the close-knit network of support and enjoyment that distinguishes this form of foster care from traditional approaches. The accompanying website features testimonials from foster families who are already part of existing Mockingbird networks in the Netherlands.
Mockingbird is made possible in part by the National Postcode Lottery and the Oranje Fonds.