A MAJOR campaign has been launched today to secure a safe place to stay for the scores of youngsters from York and North and East Yorkshire who are forced from their homes each year.

The Children's Society has challenged the region's councils to pass its Safe & Sound test, which would mean plans are in place to help under-16s who have been pushed on to the streets.

The campaign also calls for a national network of safe emergency accommodation to provide refuges for young runaways and family mediation services to help families in crisis.

Under-16s currently have virtually no direct access to emergency accommodation in the UK, despite thousands of them running away each year.

The campaign was launched after a five-year Children's Society research programme, carried out by society staff seconded to the University of York.

Pete Dwyer, assistant director for children's services at City of York Council, said the authority shared the concerns raised in the Children's Society report. He said the report highlighted the "frightening position" that young people who run away from home may face.

Mr Dwyer said: "Some may be fleeing abuse or neglect at home and may find themselves living in circumstances where that abuse could be repeated. Whilst there is little local evidence of this being a significant issue in York, the often hidden nature of the problem requires all those in positions to help vulnerable children to work effectively together to provide appropriate support."

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire County Council said: "We take the welfare of all children very seriously. The report will be brought to the attention of the child protection committee."

The Yorkshire and the Humber region has more than 1,000 under-16s forced on to the streets each year. The Children's Society says young people leave home for a number of reasons, from being forcibly thrown out to trying to escape violence or abuse.

More than half of all children thrown on to the streets are girls, with one in five of those ending up on the streets falling victim to physical or sexual abuse.

Bob Reitemeier, the society's chief executive, said: "These are society's disposable children, thrown away or fleeing family violence. We are rallying supporters to join the campaign and challenge local authorities to pass our Safe & Sound test. The aim is to make sure these children have somewhere to stay and someone sound to turn to."

People who support the campaign can find out more or sign up to it by visiting www.childrenssociety.org.uk/safeandsound

Updated: 08:18 Wednesday, March 24, 2004