Shropshire’s housing supply for vulnerable young people has almost halved in the last eight years.

Councillors were this week that national care providers had taken the decision to move into urban areas which fit their business models.

But a senior councillor warned it is forcing many of those leaving care to live in “dreadful” accommodation.

Cllr Nick Bardsley, portfolio holder for Children and Young People, said: “There is absolutely no double at all that for our care leavers, housing is a number one priority.

“This report demonstrates there is a great deal to do. This is just the start of the work and I hope that not just councillors of this committee, but the whole council, appreciate just how important this is.

“We spend a fortune looking after children and what has been happening in the past, and what we have to make sure doesn’t happen in the future, is that they become care leavers and fall off the cliff edge because there is nowhere for them to go or they go into pretty dreadful accommodation.

“Believe me, you wouldn’t want your children or grandchildren in some of the places these young people have to go into.”

The report to the People Overview Committee revealed there were around 100 bed spaces in 2010 but since then 85 have been lost.

However, there have been some additions, including the reopening of New Century Court in Oswestry, which includes a training flat to provide young people with skills to live independently.

It means there are currently 54 bed spaces in the county.

Council officer Laura Fisher said the housing service is “under more demand than it ever has been”.

But she also said they are working with colleagues in children’s services and planning to look at providing the right support and housing.

She continued: “We don’t want to lose any more bed spaces; we need to keep what we have got, but we need to give more options so young people can have what they need when they need it.”

Members agreed a series of recommendations, including employing officers to support young people, helping young people develop independent living skills, and to secure more housing projects across the county.