The government has launched a national action plan to help young runaways.

The Social Exclusion Unit (SEU) found one in nine young people have run away for at least one night by the age of 16, and 80 percent of them do so to avoid family problems.

Forum Response: The Children's Society

Bob Reitemeier, the Children's Society's chief executive, said: "For the past two decades the Children's Society has been working with isolated and vulnerable children at risk on our streets.

"The government plans are a triumph for the charity and - more importantly - the children whose voices have finally been heard. The children's charity commends the government for taking action to make these children safe."

Forum Response: Barnardos

Pam Hibbert, principal policy officer for Barnardos, said: "Barnardo's feels one of the key elements missing from the new SEU report on young runaways is a specific recommendation on young people who are at risk of sexual exploitation when they go missing.

"Barnardo's broadly welcomes the report but knows from working with children abused through prostitution that specialist expertise is needed to move vulnerable children away from the people who exploit them. We would like to see specific recommendations for these children, acknowledging the need for specialist input and the role of the voluntary sector in this.

"The lead agency for young people over the age of 13 will be the Connexions service. The recommendations rightly say that there should be a 'return interview' and follow up services for all young people who run away."However, these children are particularly resistant to intervention by what they see as the statutory authorities and staff at the Connexions service may need specialist training in order to identify and refer these young people, so that their needs can be met."

Forum Response: Centrepoint

Anthony Lawton, chief executive, for Centrepoint, said: "Through our direct service provision for over 500 homeless young people every night, we are only too aware of the need for a coherent strategy to assist young runaways in getting access to the most appropriate support services. The report will help ensure a co-ordinated response across government departments to the needs of some of the most vulnerable young people in our society."