More focus is needed on the living conditions of young people after they leave care in Ceredigion, a councillor has said.

Poor standard of accommodation for those leaving care aged 18 can lead to greater problems said Cllr Mark Strong, and could be more “costly in the long run”.

Cllr Strong highlighted problems with flats, bedsits and other housing in the private sector for vulnerable young people after speaking to a young woman who described “living in a pit.”

“They can find themselves in difficult living conditions, there’s work to be done,” said Quality Assurance Independent Reviewing service manager Sian Howys.

Sian said: “We are in contact with most of the children who were in care and doing everything we can to help them to access services. The problems of homelessness and the number of those that have been in care, that’s a very valid point.”

Cllr Strong said there was a need to look in detail at when children leave care and to live independently in “old, derelict, Victorian housing that’s been allocated to these kinds of people”.

They were often housed with others who may have substance misuse problems which caused distress and further issues.

He added that options to house young people by themselves and in council properties, rather than the private sector, should be explored.

The quarterly reviews of work carried out to support Looked After Children in the county in April to September 2018 were presented at the healthier communities overview and scrutiny committee.

Mrs Howys said the number of children needing local authority support has reduced in the last few quarters with work continuing with parents and families where appropriate.

Most children are placed in long-term foster care but there are two in residential care she told the committee. All have received care plans or pathways tailored to their needs.

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