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Connecting, Making Friends, and Having Good Times: Children and Young Peoples' Experiences in a Systematic Intervention--The Case of the Mockingbird Family

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Title: Connecting, Making Friends, and Having Good Times: Children and Young Peoples' Experiences in a Systematic Intervention--The Case of the Mockingbird Family
Language: English
Authors: Helen McLaren (ORCID 0000-0002-1959-8319), Emi Patmisari (ORCID 0000-0003-2108-8411), Michelle Jones, Ros Wong (ORCID 0000-0001-5455-0786)
Source: Child Care in Practice. 2026 32(1):70-84.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 15
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Foster Care, Intervention, Socialization, Sense of Belonging, Friendship, Children, Peer Relationship, Child Caregivers, Caseworkers, Social Work
Geographic Terms: Australia
DOI: 10.1080/13575279.2025.2588571
ISSN: 1357-5279
1476-489X
Abstract: Abuse and neglect, multiple placements, and ongoing trauma, make it difficult for children and young people in foster care to connect and form friendships. This case study of a systematic intervention piloted in South Australia--the Mockingbird Family model of foster care--explored experiences of belonging among children and young people involved. Multiple perspectives were drawn upon to examine the social and relational dynamics that shape their connections and sense of belonging. The Mockingbird Family is an intervention where 6-10 foster or kinship families are formed into micro-networks for regular socialisation and informal support. Interviews with children and young people (n = 21), their foster carers (n = 19), and foster care agency and statutory workers (n = 14) were analysed thematically. Results showed that inclusion, having others to play with, and forming good memories, were most important. Reciprocal friendships in the Mockingbird Family and acceptance of each other regardless of behavioural difficulties, enabled positive experiences that were essential for achieving a sense of belonging. Systematic interventions, such as the Mockingbird Family model of foster care, that bring children and young people together to connect, make friends and have good times, have potential to create conditions that foster belonging, which enable children and young people to flourish.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1500780
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Connecting, Making Friends, and Having Good Times: Children and Young Peoples' Experiences in a Systematic Intervention--The Case of the Mockingbird Family
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Helen+McLaren%22">Helen McLaren</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1959-8319">0000-0002-1959-8319</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Emi+Patmisari%22">Emi Patmisari</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2108-8411">0000-0003-2108-8411</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Michelle+Jones%22">Michelle Jones</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ros+Wong%22">Ros Wong</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5455-0786">0000-0001-5455-0786</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Child+Care+in+Practice%22"><i>Child Care in Practice</i></searchLink>. 2026 32(1):70-84.
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  Data: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foster+Care%22">Foster Care</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Intervention%22">Intervention</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Socialization%22">Socialization</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sense+of+Belonging%22">Sense of Belonging</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Friendship%22">Friendship</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Children%22">Children</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Peer+Relationship%22">Peer Relationship</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Child+Caregivers%22">Child Caregivers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Caseworkers%22">Caseworkers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Work%22">Social Work</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Australia%22">Australia</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1080/13575279.2025.2588571
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  Data: 1357-5279<br />1476-489X
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  Data: Abuse and neglect, multiple placements, and ongoing trauma, make it difficult for children and young people in foster care to connect and form friendships. This case study of a systematic intervention piloted in South Australia--the Mockingbird Family model of foster care--explored experiences of belonging among children and young people involved. Multiple perspectives were drawn upon to examine the social and relational dynamics that shape their connections and sense of belonging. The Mockingbird Family is an intervention where 6-10 foster or kinship families are formed into micro-networks for regular socialisation and informal support. Interviews with children and young people (n = 21), their foster carers (n = 19), and foster care agency and statutory workers (n = 14) were analysed thematically. Results showed that inclusion, having others to play with, and forming good memories, were most important. Reciprocal friendships in the Mockingbird Family and acceptance of each other regardless of behavioural difficulties, enabled positive experiences that were essential for achieving a sense of belonging. Systematic interventions, such as the Mockingbird Family model of foster care, that bring children and young people together to connect, make friends and have good times, have potential to create conditions that foster belonging, which enable children and young people to flourish.
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      – Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Friendship
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      – SubjectFull: Children
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      – SubjectFull: Peer Relationship
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      – SubjectFull: Caseworkers
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      – SubjectFull: Australia
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