PLANS for looked after children and care leavers in the Wee County have been endorsed by councillors.

Clackmannanshire Council's Corporate Parenting Plan for 2018-21 was given the green light at a full meeting of elected members recently and was hailed for having some "excellent" aspirations for young people.

The document was co-produced with looked-after young people in the county along with partner organisations like NHS Forth Valley and the police, following an engagement a successful event.

The local authority worked with Oor Clacks Voices, a group of care-experienced young people who meet every week to make change happen and have fun.

An engagement event also took place at Alloa Town Hall in August, when council leader Councillor Ellen Forson announced the council would become the first local authority in Scotland to guarantee tenancy to young people leaving care.

It is understood the measure means care leavers do not have to make a homelessness application in order to access suitable housing.

The plan focuses on making sure people know and understand their rights, have equal opportunities, transitions are well planned with as few moves as possible and more.

All corners of the political chamber endorsed the plan with Cllr Les Sharp, health and social services spokesman, saying: "I'd like to thank the care-experienced young people who have given their honest views and assistance to help make this plan relevant to their needs and hopes for the future.

"The publication of this plan is an important step in our journey to making sure that every corporate parent in Clackmannanshire is working closely together with one aim – to care for our looked after children and care leavers in the same way as other parents do.

"We are proud of our young people and want to do all that we can to help them grow up to be successful, confident and responsible citizens, and this plan gives detailed and measurable actions for the next three years to help make this happen."