The guide, Care Matters: Time to Deliver, outlines practical steps local partners can take to make sure children in care are supported, for example by getting them passports to go on school trips or setting aside money to pay for school photos.

It also sets out the role local authorities must play in implementing the Care Matters reforms, which are backed by the Children and Young Persons Bill currently going through Parliament.

This will ensure the education of looked-after children is not disrupted by placement changes, give young people the option of staying in care after they are 16 and improve access to personal advisers.

Junior children's minister Kevin Brennan said: "We want all local councillors and council officers to be mindful of their parenting role and give these young people the support they need."

Children's charity NCH said the implementation plan has the potential to make a difference to the lives of children in care.

Margaret Dillon, executive director of children's services, said: "What we need now are the necessary resources and guarantees from those responsible for implementing this plan to ensure that these ambitious aspirations will be followed with concrete delivery."