Neglect case childminder was ‘master manipulator’, say parents

A Care Inspectorate report published in August 2023 said Mathewson was registered to provide care for a maximum of eight children at any one time.

It included conditions that a maximum of six children could be under the age of 12, no more than three could be under school age, and no more than one could be under 12-months-old.

An unannounced inspection took place about a year before her arrest. It rated areas including care, learning and the setting as “very good” – the second-highest level in the quality scale.

The report said “children were cared for in a comfortable, welcoming and homely environment” and “were cared for with warmth, kindness and a nurturing approach”.

But after suspicions were raised, parents worked together to provide evidence to the police.

One parent said: “I cannot tell you what the first few months were like after all of this came to light.

“Every single parent involved has gone over in their head every conversation and any comment their child ever made – anything at the time seemed innocent enough but in hindsight could have been a red flag.”

A spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate said it was a “distressing case” and they had implemented changes as a result.