A CHILDREN'S centre in one of West Somerset's most disadvantaged areas is providing an outstanding range of services helping local families, Government Ofsted inspectors have concluded.

The Williton facility has been judged good overall with some outstanding aspects following a two-day inspection last November.

The Ofsted team found that children and families in the village and the large rural surrounding area were benefiting from the support provided by the Killick Way centre, which was opened in 2006 as part of the nationwide SureStart programme.

Inspectors gave the centre a good rating for its effectiveness in meeting the needs of and improving outcomes for its users and the wider community, along with its capacity for sustained improvement, including the quality of its leadership and management.

Manager Samantha Fahey, who also leads Watchet's Little Vikings Centre, was said to be totally committed to the development of services, benefiting from the support of a highly motivated team and showing the highest expectations and considerable drive.

Indeed, the drive and ambition of the centre staff, very ably led by Ms Fahey, was said to be a common thread throughout the high level of service provided.

In his report, inspector Robert Pyner said examples of the effectiveness of the centre's work included the popular 'stay and play' facility, baby café and young mothers' programme, enabling the development of parenting, social and learning skills.

He said one excellent aspect was the highly effective partnerships the centre had developed with other organisations, including health and Jobcentre Plus.

The centre has regular meetings with health visitors, while Jobcentre Plus staff - who have been based there for the past two years - have helped users develop skills and understand benefits and tax credits.

Mr Pyner said a great strength of the centre was the quality of its outreach work.

"The centre offers a comprehensive range of activities in other places, such as schools and church halls and this is popular with users as these are often closer to home," he said.

The centre was said to work in a highly effective way to ensure the safety of children and had good links with social services.

"The centre itself is a very safe environment for users and children," said Mr Pyner.

"When families find themselves in difficulty or even in crisis, it is able to help them effectively by providing information and support, including for general health and mental health, debt management and benefits."

Inspectors made two recommendations aimed at improving provision and supporting improvements - the development of the centre's advisory board and better use of the outcomes of activities and courses and evaluations by users.

Centre staff were celebrating this week following the official publication of the report.

Ms Fahey said of the 17 areas inspected, the centre was judged to be good in nine and outstanding in eight.

The top rated areas included the development of healthy lifestyles, the assessment of the needs of users and the safeguarding of children.

"I am very proud of my team," she said.

"We have all worked extremely hard over the past year to meet the needs of our families and have now been rewarded for it."