Until recently, local councils were only required to support young people in care until they reached the age of 21, unless they were in education or training.
Since the introduction of the Children and Social Work Act 2017, however, councils can now provide support through a young person's advisor to all care leavers up to the age of 25, smoothing the transition into adulthood.
Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "Through our Corporate Parenting Strategy we are committed to improving outcomes for children and young people who are or have been in the council's care, and giving them the best possible chance in life.
"It's important that we are able to make the transition from childhood to adulthood as smooth and easy as possible, and thanks to the Children and Social Work Act 2017 we are now able to provide continuing support for all care leavers up to and including the age of 25."
The council provides a range of services and help to care leavers through its "local offer", including online counselling to support their health and wellbeing, weekly support groups to help them build relationships and support around education, employment and training including mentoring from work coaches and guaranteed interviews for apprenticeships.
Care leavers and young people in care living in Wolverhampton also qualify for Council Tax exemption between the ages of 18 and 25.
Councillor Sweet added: "There are around 140 care leavers aged between 21 and 25 who are now eligible for support, and we would encourage them to get in touch with us as soon as they can so that we can give them any help and support which they would want."
Care leavers aged between 21 and 25 can contact the City of Wolverhampton Council's Transitions Team by calling 01902 556473 or 01902 556439.
Every year, the council helps scores of young people reaching adulthood make the move out of care to independent living, with it currently supporting over 300 care leavers aged between 18 and 21.
- released: Friday 15 June, 2018