New support for care leavers is set to be approved by Stoke-on-Trent City Council. 

The council hopes that the new schemes will help young people who are leaving care find secure jobs and homes. 

The council is set to approve four immediate enhancements to its current local offer.

Council tax support, which already applies in Stoke, is set to be extended to people from the city who live elsewhere. 

There will also be a funded broadband scheme for care leavers aged 18 to 21 and free or subsidised public transport to help young people access jobs, education and healthcare. 

Additionally, the council has committed to creating at least 10 apprenticeships within the council for care leavers. 

Stoke on Trent City Council explained that research has shown that care leavers are among the most vulnerable groups in society, and they often face barriers to education, employment and stable housing and are at greater risk of poor health and wellbeing. 

Cllr Sarah Jane Colclough, cabinet member for children's services at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "Care leavers deserve the same opportunities as any other young person. 

"The move to adulthood can be difficult and it's vital that we continue to break down barriers and create real opportunities for our care leavers to succeed. 

"We're committed to treating our young people exactly as any good parent would treat their children – with care, respect and support. 

"Our ambition is clear. We want Stoke-on-Trent to be the best city in the country for care leavers." 

Brooke Chomyn, a care leaver who now works for the city council as a Resource Controller following completion of an apprenticeship, welcomed the improvements, saying: "These changes will make a real difference as transport and lack of reliable internet are major barriers for a lot of care leavers. 

"Taking up an apprenticeship helped me take control of my own future, and pathways that guarantee those places to people like me are exactly what's needed." 

The council also aims to establish an independently chaired Local Offer Board in the future to drive further improvements in housing support, financial inclusion, mentoring and fundraising. 

The council has said that this builds on work over the past year to strengthen partnerships through the council's Corporate Parenting Board, which brings together public, voluntary, community and business organisations. 

The board focuses on helping cared-for children and care-experienced young people prepare for independent living, access safe and stable homes, share their views, co-produce services, and gain better access to training and employment opportunities.