Devizes children's centre rated outstanding (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Devizes children's centre rated outstanding

1:52pm Friday 2nd November 2012 in News By Lewis Cowen

Devizes South Community Children’s Centre has been praised as outstanding in its first Ofsted inspection.

The inspection, on October 3 and 4, saw the centre awarded the “outstanding” grades in the vast majority of the assessment criteria.

This included from the extent to which children are safe and protected, to the way in which all children are supported to develop skills for the future.

The centre, based in premises next door to Southbroom Infants School, opened in 2007 and is run by the national charity, 4Children.

Services delivered directly by the centre include family learning, ante- and post-natal groups, breastfeeding groups, childminder groups, a children’s café and one-to-one support for parents.

The centre also provides return to work advice and training through partnership arrangements, as well as sessions relating to finances.

Commenting on the report, Charles Ellis, deputy chief executive of 4Children, said: “The staff at Devizes South Community Children’s Centre have worked tirelessly to give children and families the support they need, and as this report makes clear, the centre is thriving and demonstrates the exemplary standard of 4Children’s services.”

Centre leader Judith Gingell said: “It has been a pleasure working with the team and I am thrilled to see the centre has received the recognition it deserves.

“This signals a promising future for our children’s centre and we look forward to developing the support and provision further.”

Among the comments in the Ofsted report, the inspection team noted: “Devizes South Community Children’s Centre provides outstanding provision for the very large majority of families, including the most vulnerable, in the reach area.

“A key strength is the centre’s excellent care, guidance and support for families and their children. The centre supports children with additional needs and vulnerable children very well.”

The report added: “Extremely positive relationships make a highly tangible difference to the well-being of the centre users. Families appreciate the very caring atmosphere, friendly staff and the outreach work. The centre has a strong focus on the health of families and so outcomes are outstanding.

“Safeguarding arrangements are outstanding, as are the very effective arrangements for keeping families safe. As a result, any concerns related to children’s safety are acted upon quickly and appropriately.”