Leadsom made comments which have led to dismay in the care sector (Picture: Reuters)

Andrea Leadsom’s comments which associated male carers with the increased risk of paedophilia have been met with anger and disgust by many – not least of all the men who work tirelessly in the care sector to help children.

In an interview with The Times, Leadsom was quoted as saying: ‘As an employer we’re not, let’s face it, most of us don’t employ men as nannies, most of us don’t. Now you can call that sexist, I call that cautious and very sensible when you look at the stats. Your odds are stacked against you if you employ a man.



‘We know paedophiles are attracted to working with children.’

An opinion piece from Metro.co.uk shared the thoughts of several men who work with young people in various sectors but a comment we received from a reader perfectly summed up the anger and dismay felt by male carers across the country:


We got in touch with Simon to talk to him about the damage Leadsom’s comments could cause and the feelings he had in the wake of reading what she had said.

He told us: ‘I’m a therapeutic foster parent which involves myself and my partner looking after children in the care system – either placed there voluntarily by their parents or by social services. A lot of the children in the care system haven’t had a positive male role model in their lives at all. Many come from very fractured families and the reasons for them being in care is perhaps because of neglect or because a lone parent just can’t cope.

Leadsom has come under fire for her comments. (Picture: EPA)

‘They may have witnessed domestic violence – we have had children with us who have witnessed terrible violence at home at the hands of a male father figure – not necessarily the father – so getting a child who is traumatised and who has emotional and behavioural difficulties and it’s necessary for them to see a male in a family unit as a care giver. It helps them to recognised that a male in a family unit is someone who should be able to be trusted and to build relationships with. It helps to rebuild their shattered lives.’

A full time lawyer as well as a therapeutic foster parent, Simon is clearly passionate about the work that he does. We asked him how he felt in the wake of reading something from a prominent figure that undermined his role and his response was clear.

He explained: ‘I felt sick. I felt that it’s wholly unnecessary and it just beggars belief. In speaking to friends and colleagues both in and outside of fostering, we just can’t believe that somebody in such a high profile and professional could make such comments. It paints a picture that it just so untrue.

Leadsom said that people tend not to hire male nannies. (Picture: Reuters)

‘I run a full time job as a lawyer as well as being a therapeutic foster parent and it’s difficult enough doing the job without the people at the top of the tree sniping at you. What chance do social services or local councils have of gaining more male foster carers or care givers if that’s the response they are going to get?’

He added that male care givers – or indeed any man who works with young people – are already vulnerable. He continued: ‘We walk on a knife edge as it is anyway, under a constant scrutiny. We have to basically, as a male caregiver, think three or four times before we do anything. There’s always this magnifying glass over you and we have to protect ourselves. A lot of people won’t come into the care sector because they are scared of these kinds of allegations.



‘I’ve seen friends of mine who have had unsubstantiated allegations made against them. It completely ruins their lives and even when they are held up as unsubstantiated, the damage is done.

Addressing those who may have been put off pursuing a role in care, he said: ‘My message for anyone wanting to come into the very challenging but rewarding role of care, would be to stand strong, don’t shy away from it and don’t let people say incredibly stupid things to damage the important role you are seeking to do.’

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