Nicola Sturgeon has heard from more than 200 young people as part of the Scottish Government's "root-and-branch" review of the care system.
The First Minister met Scots currently in care and those recently moved on at the event in Edinburgh on Tuesday.
They told her about what aspects of the system worked for them and what they felt let them down.
The event was organised by Action for Children Scotland to feed into the review.
Ms Sturgeon said: "Every child should have the best start in life and an equal chance to succeed.
"Yet, through no fault of their own, that's not the case for far too many young people in care.
"Children and young people are the best advocates for change and today I have heard some powerful stories that really demonstrate strength, courage and success in the face of circumstances that no young person should have to deal with."
Paul Carberry, director of Action for Children Scotland, said: "When the review of the care system was announced by the First Minister we welcomed it, particularly the pledge to listen to the views of care-experienced young people.
"At Action for Children, we support upwards of 800 young Scots who have been through the care system and their views are crucial to this review.
"They are the experts on the system and have seen first-hand the parts which worked while also experiencing the parts which have let them down."
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