A recent report has shown that nearly 24,000 Scottish children have no permanent accommodation.

Homelessness charity, Shelter Scotland, is to highlight their plight by hosting a conference on March 24.

Over 40,000 households were assessed as homeless during 2007-2008, in which there were around 24,000 children.

The study found that many thousands more live in overcrowded or run-down housing, with just over 7,100 dependent children living in temporary accommodation across the whole of Scotland.

Research has shown that children living in bad housing are twice as likely to leave school without qualifications as those who live in adequate housing.

The conference will look at new Scottish Government guidance on acting in the best interests of children and the latest developments in policy and practice across children, housing and homelessness sectors. Speakers will include Adam Ingram, Minister for Children and Early Years.

Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said in a statement: "The reality of homelessness is very unsettling and disruptive for children. Bad housing and homelessness can have serious long-term consequences for children's health and well being, happiness and their education.

"It is vital that all organisations providing services for homeless children work together to provide the best support possible, and our conference will explore some of the ways we can tackle the effects of homelessness and bad housing on children.

"Homelessness and poor housing denies children their rights to a safe and secure home, and should be avoided at all costs."