Young people have always had their lives organised by adults who think they know best – and looked-after children more than most. Now they are going on the front foot, as Kate Hilpern found out

Despite the credit crunch, long-term financial planning is more important than ever. There are several possible options for foster carers. Geraldine Brennan checks them out

Setting up a foster care association, fundraising and running it can be daunting to some. But for Ann Holder and colleagues in East Sussex it has made a world of difference. She talked to Laurence Pollock

Is new legislation designed to protect the corporate parent from prosecution while leaving the foster carer vulnerable?

Fisnik Tahiri, aged 19, London

Andrew Bridge's story about foster care in California is hair-raising but now he's making a difference. He talked to Kate Hilpern about his life and writing

The lead letter

The problems foster carers can expereince in trying to get insurance cover for their homes and contents