A recent event in Barrow showcased a new programme designed to change the way foster care and adoption works.

Taking place at Barrow Town Hall on Monday, September 23, the training session was the first of its kind in the Westmorland and Furness district.

Read more: New drive to increase foster carers in Cumbria and Lancashire | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)

The aim of the day was to introduce the Mockingbird initiative, with Fostering Network Coach, Parvis Iqbal, leading the session.

The Mockingbird programme aims to improve foster care and the relationships between children and their new families by building a 'resilient and caring community' of six to ten satellite families called a constellation.

A hub to boost foster numbers - partly through the Mockingbird programme - was launched in Cumbria and Lancashire in JulyA hub to boost foster numbers - partly through the Mockingbird programme - was launched in Cumbria and Lancashire in July (Image: Submitted)

Team manager in the south of the county, Barry Chorley, who attended the training, said: “The day went really well and as we went around the room we realised we had 136 years of fostering experience in the room, which is just fantastic.

"The aim of the constellation is about bringing foster carers, with all this experience, together to support each other.

"The idea is based on the phrase ‘it takes a village to raise a child’, which will provide added stability for all of our children and young people in the constellation."