The Children Act 1989 was a landmark law for England and Wales giving every child the right to protection from abuse and exploitation and set out ways to safeguard their welfare. Colleagues at The Fostering Network reflect on the Act 30 years on.

It is widely recognised that the relationships of care experienced children and young people need to be prioritised, yet our latest report Not Forgotten: The importance of keeping in touch with former foster carers outlines that too often this is not happening when a child or young person moves on from their foster family.

Diana Omokore is a medical science student at De Montfort University with the goal of becoming a paediatric surgeon. In this blog Diana tells us how she managed to focus on her education despite a number of moves between foster families and why she loves university. 

Finlay’s parents became foster carers over a decade ago and even though he has moved out already, the 26-year-old is still very involved in his family’s fostering. Finlay is certain that he became the person he is today thanks to his upbringing. He considers fostering a gift worth giving and argues that foster carers need to be more heard and supported better.

The Foster Care Transforming Lives conference taking place in Edinburgh on 20 November will explore the similarities, differences and developments in foster care systems across Europe, with a focus on how they can support children through childhood, prepare young people for adulthood and how foster care can support brith families. 

Matilda has been part of a fostering family all her life. Her parents became foster carers when she was only a baby. At the age of 12 she has helped to change the future of many fostered children already. Matilda loves being part of a foster family and was recently awarded with the Outstanding Contribution by Sons and Daughters award. Here she shares what she thinks about foster care and how it has shaped her as a person.

With many care-experienced young people either embarking on their university career or returning for another year, we asked one care-experienced student at Kingston University about how the university's specialist KU Cares programme has supported them.

Accessing and understanding the benefits system can be difficult for foster carers and the young people they look after. Information from Jobcentre Plus does not always take into account their unique circumstances. For example, the under-occupancy charge (the bedroom tax) which can affect their fostering. There can also be complications when young people are required to claim benefits to fund a post-18 arrangement.

The Foster Care Transforming Lives conference taking place in Edinburgh on 20 November will explore the similarities, differences and developments in foster care systems across Europe, with a focus on how they can support children through childhood, prepare young people for adulthood and how foster care can support birth families.

How would it feel to move from your foster carer in Lincolnshire to your Nigerian birth mother in London? Shola Amoo, artist and filmmaker from London, explores the feelings behind such a change in in his new film. The Last Tree explores identity and culture and shines a light on a young person’s journey trying to find himself. We spoke to Shola about his motivations for the film.