Local Democracy Reporting Service
David Lawrence

Free driving lessons and leisure passes are among the things being offered to young people leaving the care of Warwickshire County Council.

Image source, Google

They will also be able to apply for a number of apprenticeships.

Jeff Morgan, portfolio holder for children’s services, told a meeting on Thursday that following last year’s Children and Social Work Act, councils needed to offer help and services to care leavers helping them prepare for independent living and adulthood.

He said that at the end of February, there were 533 care leavers eligible for this ‘local offer’ and that figure could rise to 690 in five years.

The Care Quality Commission says Five Pears Court is "not safe" and rated it as "inadequate".

BBC WM Sport

Here are the top sports stories this afternoon from BBC WM:

• West Bromwich Albion's caretaker manager Darren Moore says his future at the club should become clearer next week
• The Aston Villa left back Neil Taylor (pictured) will miss the first leg of their Championship play off semi final against Middlesbrough with a hamstring injury

Image source, Getty Images

• On the opening day of the second division County Championship match at Edgbaston,Warwickshire are replying to Northamptonshire's 256 all out

Robert Eacock died from a single stab wound in Hereford after he was attacked on 1 February.

Liz Copper
Reporter, BBC Midlands Today

There's growing concern over the number of children killed or injured in road accidents near schools.

In 2016, there were more than 3,500 casualties under the age of 11, according to the Road Safety Observatory.

Thistley Hough Academy in Stoke-on-Trent , externalis getting drivers to sign a pledge that they'll take extra care as they're driving past.

There are plans to improve road junctions near the school, including adding a new crossing and railings.

Students are going to be carrying out their own speed survey to see whether drivers are slowing down.

Stoke-on-Trent Live

The top stories today:

• Armed police continue to negotiate with man, external
• Legionella bacteria discovered in water supply at flats complex where hundreds live, external
• Firefighters rescue trapped child from car, external

Neil Sheppard from Burntwood in Staffordshire wrongly claimed more than £50,000 in benefits.

Plans for a major reorganisation of Shropshire hospital services will go out to consultation on 30 May.

The proposals would involve Shrewsbury becoming the county's only centre for emergency medicine and specialist women and children's services, moving there from Telford.

Planned surgery would move in the opposite direction, from the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital to Telford's Princess Royal Hospital.

The launch of the 14-week exercise had been waiting on the approval of the Telford and Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group, which met this afternoon.

A man is in hospital being treated with "flash burns" after he poured petrol on a fire while burning garden waste.

The 32-year-old suffered 17% superficial burns to his face, arms, chest and legs. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening, a fire service spokesman said.

Image source, Staffordshire Fire

Staffordshire Fire says it was called to an address in Rugeley at about 21:00 last night

An animal charity said it received a surprise call reporting a pony being abandoned in a backyard.

The RSPCA and World Horse Welfare received a call on 27 April to a house in Ford Green Road, Stoke-on-Trent after the undernourished pony was found dumped, much to the surprise of the homeowner.

Image source, RSPCA

The pony, named Mr Melvin Andrews, is now in the care of World Horse Welfare.

Image source, RSPCA

It took 300 eggs and an awful lot of flour, sugar and chocolate to recreate the royal couple.

An accommodation facility at a specialist school under investigation after an allegation of "potentially abusive practice", has been put into special measures by the Care Quality Commission.

Image source, Google

Five Pears Court, in Coventry, is one of a group of specialist built bungalows at the Pears Centre, run by the Royal National Institute of Blind People.

The CQC rated the home, which provides specialist accommodation, nursing and personal care for children and young people, as inadequate, after three recent inspections, and said it was failing to provide safe care., external

One child had been removed from the service by commissioners, due to "concerns about their care and welfare", it said.

A separate inquiry by the Charity Commission is also underway after concerns were raised by Ofsted.

Bethany Shipsey's parents want a judicial review, claiming she did not intend to take her own life.

Express and Star

Some of the top stories to feature on the front page today include:

• 'She said yes' - Wolves star Rubens Neves proposes to girlfriend, external
• Human remains find halts work on new Wolverhampton market, external
• Bid to unseat Wolverhampton council leader Roger Lawrence fails, external

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are represented in a life-size celebration cake.

Four students from the University of Warwick, suspended after rape jokes made on a social media group came to light, have had their suspensions lifted.

Image source, University of Warwick

Eleven students were suspended after online papers The Boar , externaland The Tab obtained screenshots from a group message.

An investigation into the complaints had not yet concluded but it has now established the suspension of four of the students should be lifted, the university said.

“The reasons for this have been discussed with the original complainants who understand why the University is taking that action.”

A health campaign group said it has secured £5m after writing to the government to increase the number of beds available at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Image source, PA

Healthwatch Worcetershire wrote to the chief executive of NHS England asking for an advance on part of £29m that's been earmarked for the hospital.

The money means 81 new beds will be opened at the site.

The Labour Party in Worcestershire has a new leader.

Image source, Worcestershire County Council

After nine years of leading the opposition at County Hall, Rubery-based councillor Peter McDonald is stepping aside.

He’ll be replaced by the Redditch North county councillor Robin Lunn, who’s promised to hold the Conservative council to account over its finances and social care.

BBC Business News

Gas and electricity supplier Npower is raising energy bills by an average of £64 a year for a million customers.

Image source, Getty Images

The average 5.3% dual fuel price hike comes into effect on 17 June and follows earlier rises announced last month by its "Big Six" rivals.

British Gas is increasing prices by 5.5% from 29 May, while EDF is raising electricity prices by 2.7%.

The company which has it's UK base in Worcester blamed increases in policy and wholesale energy costs for the increase.

Stratford Observer

Some of the main stories in this week's Stratford Observer are:

• Youngster gets access to life-changing eye treatment, external
• Chris Saint resigns as leader of Stratford District Council, external
• Community urged to support new ArtsHouse operator, external

Image source, Stratford Observer