The Southern African Policy and Development Nexus (SAPDN) facilitated the Policy Brief Roundtable on Care Reform in East London as part of an ongoing policy enrichment process aimed at eliminating institutional care. The event brought together esteemed experts, including SAPDN Director Professor Ndangwa Noyoo, Monica Woodhouse from Give a Child a Family Africa, Mandisa Ratya from Ubuhlebethu, and Lourenza Foghill from One Child One Family – Hope and Homes for Children South Africa. These seasoned speakers provided invaluable insights into the realities and impacts of institutional care, emphasising the urgent need for reform. Adding a deeply personal dimension to the discussion, care leavers bravely shared their tearful experiences of growing up in institutions, illustrating the long-term negative effects of institutionalisation. The roundtable’s interactive session allowed participants who work directly with vulnerable children and families to share their perspectives, concerns, and suggestions, enriching the Policy Brief with practical insights from the field. This collaborative engagement marked a significant step in SAPDN’s mission to drive transformative policy change in childcare reform.