Childminder Amanda Mathewson jailed for two years over Fife neglect

Amanda Mathewson, a childminder in Fife, has been sentenced to two years in prison after admitting neglect. BBC One reported that more than 20 children were found alone and unsupervised in her home and that she was licensed to look after eight children under 16. Channel 5 reported that Mathewson was 55 and that 27 children were found at her home, more than three times the licensed number.

BBC One's Scotland correspondent Steven Godden reported that Mathewson had been a respected childminder for 30 years. She was arrested in August 2024 after two parents became suspicious and turned up unannounced at her home. She was not there. The parents found children alone in the garden, a toddler screaming under the kitchen table, and nine under-fives in an upstairs bedroom, including two infants strapped into a pushchair.

Mathewson had pleaded guilty to neglect last month. BBC One reported that the sheriff told her she was guilty of a gross abuse of trust and that the potential for catastrophic harm was enormous. BBC One also reported that the sheriff said any child could have choked, fallen or escaped, and that no child suffered a proven catastrophic physical injury was good fortune.

BBC One reported that a Care Inspectorate review concluded it was highly likely Mathewson had been tipped off by an insider about the timing of upcoming inspections, allowing her to hide what she was doing. BBC One reported that the Care Inspectorate said it had learned lessons from the case.

BBC One reported that parents welcomed the sentence and said they wanted the system reformed. BBC One reported that some families were exploring legal action against the regulator. BBC One reported that many families had considered Mathewson a good friend and that she left court with her career and reputation in tatters.