A system designed to give early warnings to support agencies about children at risk is being developed in the North-East.

Spearheaded by Gateshead Council in partnership with Newcastle City Council, the system will allow better identification, referral and tracking of children at risk to ensure they do not "fall through the net".

Involving professionals from statutory and voluntary bodies and an inter-agency computer system, Gateshead and Newcastle have been jointly awarded Trailblazer status by the Government's Children and Young People's unit - securing £1m for the project.

Councillor Linda Green, cabinet member for children and young people at Gateshead Council said: "This will be a pioneering system that will not only be used by all professionals, but will also be developed by young people and their families.

"It will support any paperwork and allow for anecdotal input so that the very smallest piece of information could act as a trigger and alert an intervention."

A teacher reporting a child who has been absent from school for a few days, or a GP whose young patient has missed an appointment, could all prove to be vital triggers that will identify a child who may be at risk.

Central to the success of the project in Gateshead will be an information manager who will be processing the information daily.