GAPS in mental health services for some of Scotland's most vulnerable young people are highlighted today in a new report.
The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland investigated the treatment of adolescents as young as 12 who are living in secure units for safety reasons.
They found almost half had been sent to a unit in a different region from their home town and a few had even come from south of the border.
The MWC said: "Ensuring continuity of mental health care was an issue.
"Many young people had experienced a number of moves before being admitted to secure care, and their time in secure care could be short, before they moved again. This could have an impact on their mental health."
There are five secure units in Scotland looking after children under 16 with problems such as criminal behaviour and self harm. Many young people in the systemsuffer from mental health problems.
Colin Mackay, chief executive of the MWC, said three of the secure units were located in the same region - the west of Scotland.
The MWC had found good examples where support with mental health issues had remained consistent even when a teenager was relocated from one unit to another.
However, Mr Mackay said: "It was not universal and frankly we think it needs to be universal.
"This is a small group of kids and they are some of the most vulnerable people in our current care system. It ought to be possible to get it right."
The commission is calling for national guidelines to ensure more consistent care as young people move through the child care system.
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