A new £615,000 home has been opened in Norwich to help young people in care become independent adults.

The project has been developed by Norfolk County Council, to help young people aged 16, 17 and 18, get the skills and confidence they need to live independently, as they approach adulthood.

Run by The Benjamin Foundation, on behalf of the county council, the home will support up to five young people at a time.

Young people staying at the home will have access to help and guidance around the clock but will also have the freedom to begin to live more independently.

The county council has invested £615,000 in buying and renovating the former bed and breakfast.

Members of the county's In Care Council have been involved in helping to design the interior to ensure that it is comfortable for their peers and can meet their needs.

James Joyce, chairman of the children's services committee at Norfolk County Council, officially opened the home this week.

He said: 'It is crucial that young people have the skills and support they need to leave our care, when they become adults.

'The transition to adulthood can be difficult for all teenagers but those in care have often had a very difficult start in life and we don't want them to feel isolated as they leave our care.

'This new home gives young people the best of both worlds – giving them a degree of independence but also the security of knowing that there are trusted adults on hand to give them any support and help they may need.

'This is the first home of its kind we have opened and we expect the young people living here to flourish and gain the independence to leave our care. This will help to reduce the number of looked after children in the county needing high cost care in the county's residential homes.'

Sarah Jones, deputy chief executive of The Benjamin Foundation, added: 'We are thrilled to be the organisation chosen to deliver this innovative new service that has been designed with the needs of young people at the heart of it.

'We already provide supported accommodation to over 100 young people across Norfolk and we are delighted we can use our experience to give every young person who we will support the best opportunities and hope for their future.'

The home is in west Norwich, but its precise location and its name is kept secret, to protect the young people who are in care.