A PROJECT supporting Hatherleigh families has been rated as 'good' by Ofsted after its first official inspection.

Hatherleigh Sure Start Children's Centre, which is based at Hatherleigh Community Centre in Bowling Green Lane, provides free support to parents and carers of under-fives.

Managed by Barnardo's on behalf of Devon County Council, Ofsted inspectors rated it as 'good' for overall effectiveness and described it as being 'at the heart of its community'.

The centre, whose organisers say local parents describe as a 'lifeline', also supports North Tawton, Exbourne, Jacobstowe, Sampford Courtenay, Lewdown, Bratton Clovelly, Bridestowe, Northlew, Lewtrenchard and parts of Lydford.

Activities at the project include parenting programmes, cookery courses, healthy eating, first aid training, breast-feeding peer support, ante-natal classes, speech and language development, baby massage and soft play sessions, as well as links to training and employment.

The project has worked with almost 300 families, including more than 400 children since opening five years ago.

The Ofsted report said: 'The children's centre is making a strong contribution to improving outcomes for families because staff show high levels of commitment and work well together to meet the needs of the community.

'A particular strength is the good quality care, guidance and support offered to families.

Barnardo's centre leader Emily Evely said: 'Our ambition is to be "outstanding" at our next inspection but we are pleased with the progress that has been made so far and are determined to keep improving.

'We work incredibly hard to ensure that we meet the needs of local families, thanks to creative and proactive staff supported by a dedicated team of volunteers.

'We look forward to helping even more families to achieve their potential.'

Some of the feedback from parents include 'The centre helped me to survive' and 'The children's centre has been a lifeline'.

Another said that 'they could 'pick up the phone and will always be able to speak to someone who will offer them a listening ear and help them identify practical solutions'.

Recommendations by Ofsted for further improvement include increasing the participation of fathers, children with disabilities and families from multi-ethnic groups, as well as narrowing the achievement gap for young children.