The two topics 'Shaping transitions into foster care - ensuring continuity' and 'Focus: family of origin' involve situations for foster children in which they often experience uncertainty, existential fears, and disorientation. In the course of such events, biological parents, foster parents, youth welfare offices, psychologists, guardians, the judiciary, and other participants exert influence in various ways and make decisions of considerable importance that entail serious changes in the foster child's everyday life and perspective. It is a special challenge for all those involved to consider the best interests of the child in a timely and responsible manner - often against the conflicting interests of the adults - in order to create the best possible conditions for the child's future.