Childminder Accused of Being 'Master Manipulator' in Neglect Case

Parents whose children were cared for by a childminder who has admitted neglect charges have described her as a "master manipulator." Amanda Mathewson, 55, was looking after significantly more children than legally permitted, and at one point left 27 youngsters unsupervised at her home in Dunfermline.

Families told BBC Scotland that Mathewson had been "loved and trusted" in the community before her crimes came to light, and described the realization that their children were not being cared for properly as "incredibly traumatic."

Mathewson pleaded guilty at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on Tuesday to wilfully neglecting, abandoning, and exposing children in a manner likely to cause them unnecessary suffering or injury to their health. Sentencing is scheduled for next month.

She had been a self-employed childminder for 30 years, caring for children under 16 in her home. One parent recounted that Mathewson was regarded as "one of the best in the area" and that her ability to build an "unshakeable reputation" was part of how she concealed her actions.

Another parent, who considered Mathewson a "good friend," spoke of the trauma of having to "rewrite eight years of history" and lose happy memories due to the false belief that their children were being properly cared for. "This woman was a master manipulator and she has got away with these things for years," they told BBC Radio Scotland's Mornings programme.

Mathewson was arrested by police following allegations of cruelty. At the time of her arrest, she had 15 children under 12 in her care, along with 10 children under primary school age and two infants under one year old.

An investigation revealed discrepancies between the number of children in Mathewson's care and the number seen with her. Court documents noted that parents had raised concerns about children not eating while in her care, with their clothes remaining in "pristine condition," and that children often returned home thirsty or in dirty diapers.

Mathewson consistently played loud music and prevented parents from entering her home at drop-off times, ostensibly to "conceal how oversubscribed she was," according to court documents. Parents reported that Mathewson always provided "a plausible explanation" to reassure them when they noticed distress and asked questions.

"This was sustained, deliberate deception that concealed neglect from families and professionals alike," one parent stated. "If she could build and manipulate the trust of adults across an entire community so effectively, think about how little power babies and young children had behind those closed doors."

A Care Inspectorate report from August 2023 indicated that Mathewson was registered to care for a maximum of eight children at any one time, with specific limits on the number of very young children. An unannounced inspection approximately a year before her arrest had rated care and learning areas as "very good."

However, after suspicions were raised, parents collaborated to provide evidence to the police. "Every single parent involved has gone over in their head every conversation and any comment their child ever made," one parent said. "Anything at the time seemed innocent enough but in hindsight could have been a red flag."

A spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate acknowledged it as a "distressing case" and confirmed that changes have been implemented as a result.