News in Picture

Here's Kirsty with what's coming up on the programme tonight:

Tonight we devote the whole of Newsnight to a crucial issue for society - children in care.

The Government's chief adviser on the safety of children delivered his first report on Wednesday, warning that vulnerable youngsters will be put at greater risk if cuts in public services affect child protection funding.

For the past 17 months we've been getting an insight into life in care.

Newsnight's Liz MacKean and Stuart Denman have been following the very mixed fortunes of four "looked after children", Cass, Jareth, Phil and Cherish as they navigate a path to adulthood - well adulthood as deemed by the system in England - at the age of 18.

In a series of Newsnight films we've come to know them, to learn about the problems they face and the support they receive. How they are faring now?

The statistics for children in care are depressing - they do far worse at school, are far less likely to get a job or go to university, and are more likely to go to prison.

But does that mean there should be less intervention, or that the intervention should be radically reformed?

We know the dangers of failing to intervene - particularly in the case of Baby Peter, but do we need to rethink the model?

So tonight, with the Care Minister and her Conservative and Liberal Democrat counterparts, two of the teenagers we've been filming, and care professionals, we address two big issues.

How do we ensure vulnerable children are taken into care? And once there how do we help them make the best of their lives?

Do join me at 10.30pm