A CHILDREN'S centre is failing to address key health issues for families in south Bradford, according to inspectors.

Ofsted inspectors visited Wyke Community and Children's Centre last month and have now concluded the children's centre "requires improvement".

Among the main criticisms in the report are that the centre is not improving the take-up of mums breastfeeding, reducing the number of women who smoke during pregnancy, or halting obesity levels among young children.

Bradford Council has said it is now "working closely" with the centre to deal with the issues raised.

The Huddersfield Road centre has 1,000 children in its reach area, and offers play sessions, parenting classes and child health services as well as other services and sessions.

It is run by Wyke Community and Children's Centre Ltd on behalf of the Council.

The inspector's report says: "The centre has accurately identified the families most in need of its support, but is not yet managing to engage and maintain contact with the large majority of these families. This means a large number of children and families in most need of help are not making the most of the services.

"The proportion of mothers who keep breastfeeding for at least six to eight weeks is low and has decreased. The number of mothers who continue to smoke during pregnancy and the proportion of children in reception year who are obese has increased."

Inspectors call for the centre to improve its health practice by working closer with health groups and by increasing the number of families that can access the service.

The Council is also urged to work "more effectively" with the centre.

Inspectors, however, also praise many services offered, saying: "Family support workers provide good support in the home and in the centre to to engage some families that are hard to reach. The very large majority of families most in need access free nursery places for their children."

Andy Hinchcliffe, the children's centre manager, said: "Our recent Ofsted inspection highlighted many key strengths within our organisation and the wider work we undertake in supporting and improving outcomes for young children and their families.

"Our services were recognised as warm, welcoming and of good quality, with our commitment to the safeguarding of children being robust and of highest priority. We recognise and take on-board the positive recommendations highlighted during our inspection, especially in relation to our targets around health. Recently produced, more accurate health data will enable us to further develop and embed these systems and practices."

Michael Jameson, the Council's strategic director of children’s services, said: "We are working closely with the centre to address the recommendations raised by the report.

"We will be providing guidance and training to ensure that the centre can engage more effectively with parents and stakeholders. We are also working with our partners in health to ensure that the centre has the relevant and up-to-date data it requires.

"This will help the centre address the important and challenging health issues that some families face.”