I was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to study Innovations for Preventing the Abuse of Children in Out of Home Care. As a social worker I witnessed the harms experienced by some children in non-family care and became determined to bring attention to these children. Together with my husband and four young children we travelled for three months in North America following a research trail for improved systems of care. I brought back to Australia evidence and programs to improve the quality of care in Australia and for improving family support to prevent the need for child removal. The needs of these vulnerable children are now recognised with a Royal Commission and national efforts for better life outcomes: a profound example of the impact which can flow from speaking out and agitating with evidence and innovation for change.