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What the Mandelson scandal can teach us about safeguarding

What does the fallout surrounding Starmer and Mandelson tell us about child safeguarding? Answer: that you can’t ignore power or self-interest if you want to protect children.

The power that comes from respectability, authority or wealth – and sometimes all three – has a huge impact on whether a victim is believed. Sometimes it’s more comfortable or helpful to believe in someone or something that suits us.

Sometimes we don’t want to believe that someone we respect or like, or who shares our beliefs and values, could be lying to us. Confirmation bias can be a powerful driver in decision-making.

Sometimes we don’t want to believe that someone we respect or like, or who shares our beliefs and values, could be lying to us.

Bearing that in mind, is it really a surprise that Starmer believed Mandelson when he said he didn’t know Epstein was a paedophile who abused girls, and that he had cut ties as soon as it became apparent? Or was it beneficial for Starmer to believe Mandelson so that he could appoint him as Ambassador? Equally, was Mandelson so powerful and held such sway that it was easier for Starmer to believe him than to challenge or question him?

It can feel like a jump from the political machinations in Whitehall played out on the news to how Big Life holds itself to account as we strive to ensure world-class governance and safeguarding across our services, but the lessons learned are relevant.

It’s why we don’t just have a network of Designated Safeguarding Leads across the group, but also engage in regular reflective practice sessions. At the next one, we’ll be focusing on how to always consider power and credibility when safeguarding children. Let’s make sure we all think about who we give credence to.

Keith Smith, CEO – Big Life Schools