Police and social workers in Northumberland have been able to build up profiles of adults who prey on young runaways thanks to a new way of joint working.
A number of perpetrators have been brought to justice following the initiative, which has set up a system of robust safeguards to protect young people.
A special social worker for missing children seconded from Barnardo's to the county council is the key to the success of the scheme, which has been praised as "outstanding" by Ofsted.
Figures show there has been a 12% drop in children going missing from care since the introduction of the scheme 18 months ago.
Action is taken within hours of police being alerted to a child going missing. John Cavener, a social worker for missing children speaks to the parents or carers and plans are made to speak to the child on his or her return.
Safeguards are then introduced to prevent a repeat of absconding and swift action is taken by police against sex offenders if involved.
Rachel Farnham, senior manager for children's services at Northumberland county council says: "Having a single dedicated social worker means we can identify hot spots where children are at risk from adult abuser.
Northumberland county council is a runner-up in the partnership working category of the Guardian Public Services Awards 2012
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