A vulnerable teenager from Kent has been sent 300 miles from home because of a shortage of specialist units for children, it has emerged.

The boy, who is understood to be at risk of significant harm, is now being looked after in secure accommodation in Scotland.

Family Court Judge Richard Scarratt said the victim was "yet another young person" who had fallen into a gap created by a "serious shortage of secure accommodation" for children, according to a report in The Herald.

The judge has outlined his concern in a written ruling after analysing the boy's case at a private family court hearing in Canterbury.

"This judgment concerns ... yet another young person who has fallen into a gap in the system created by the serious shortage of secure accommodation required to keep him safe," he said in a published ruling.

"I am at my wit's end to do what is best for (him).

"It is an outrage that no secure placement can be found in Kent or more local to Kent."

The judge said Education Secretary Damian Hinds would be given a copy of his ruling and added: "I ... hope that at least the Secretary of State may take some action to see what can be done for these children who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in these difficult and really quite dreadful circumstances."

"It is an outrage that no secure placement can be found in Kent or more local to Kent" - Judge Richard Scarratt

Judge Scarratt said the boy could not be identified and did not reveal his age.

He said social services staff at Kent County Council had responsibility for his welfare.

The judge said the youngster had been living in a residential unit in Kent, but did not specify where.

His behaviour had deteriorated over Christmas and unit bosses had said they could not accommodate him any longer.

The boy was placed in a secure unit in Scotland earlier this month on the approval of another judge.