In this submission to the Advocate for Children and Young People's 'Special Inquiry into Children and Young People in Alternative Care Arrangements' (ACAs) in NSW, Yfoundations draws on the testimonies of five young people who had been placed into ACAs – three of whom were members of Yfoundations’ Youth Homelessness Representative Council. Yfoundations argues that the use of ACAs, especially for extended periods of time, is a policy failure reflective of a broken system that produces terrible short-term outcomes for children and young people but can also cause lasting harm. Submitted in November 2023, the document contains 11 recommendations and is the culmination of extensive advocacy and research.