The first young care leavers are settling into their new home in Gloucester which is providing groundbreaking specialist support and semi-independent accommodation.

The first facility of its kind in the UK, Trevone House will help vulnerable are leavers approaching adulthood to learn the skills they need to live independently.

Gloucestershire County Council is investing up to £15.5million into the project which has transformed the former care home in Denmark Road, which has been designed with the needs of young people at its heart.

Two of the council's young people's ambassadors shared their experiences of living in care to help with the design and development of plans for the flats with everything young people need for a smooth transition from care.

The innovative wraparound support for care leavers includes specialist support and services delivered by Homes2Inspire in a contract worth up to £13million over seven years, semi independent flats for up to 19 young people, two specialist flats for those needing additional support withmental health needs and a wellbeing suite.

Councillor Richard Boyles, cabinet member for children's safeguarding and early years, said: ""I am delighted the first young people are settling into their flats at Trevone House and I'm confident they will thrive in their new home.

"The vision we had to transform support for our county's vulnerable care leavers as they move into adulthood is now a reality and has attracted interest from across the UK for its innovative approach."

He continued: "I'm very grateful to our youth ambassadors whose insight has helped to create this home that will benefit hundreds of young people in the future.

"With Trevone House, Gloucestershire is leading the way with its support for care leavers and we can be proud that the first young people can now call it home."