CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Investment in children's centres helps deliver real results

Leeds has become the first UK city to lower its childhood obesity rate - and the role played by children's centres vindicates the council's decision to protect funding despite heavy cuts to overall grant funding, says Judith Blake.

Last week saw the uplifting news that Leeds has become the first UK city to lower its childhood obesity rate. Even more staggering is that the biggest decline was among children living in deprivation.

This astounding turnaround was achieved by the council's public health and children's services teams working with the HENRY charity to train staff to advise parents in children's centres and public health settings.

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